Palestine
Now that we understand and have at our command every advantage of the times, can it be that we are still as powerless, as helpless, as our fathers in the Ghetto? No! We both can and will improve our condition. We possess science and industry, we know how to deal with men, we can distinguish ourselves in official life, we are producers of wealth, we establish enterprises; and still a tenfold curse seems to hang over us, and bitterest poverty is our lot. And, what is it that we lack? A secure land, where, free from oppression, we may cultivate the soil in accordance with our powers and abilities. Of course, you know of such a land; surely a certain movement is not unknown to you.
Eighteen centuries of exile and hope are in this word.
And still there are scornful Jews who laugh at Zionism; there are narrow-minded and illiberal Jews who fight against it. The Zionist movement, which they at first passed by in silence, at which they later sneered, and which they finally began to attack—this movement possesses a wonderful strength, a whole people's strength, the existence of which can be neither denied nor overlooked. Only one thing, however, is necessary: that our sons reawaken our slumbering nation; that our people express their will to the world.
But a short time ago this thing seemed impossible. Now it is a reality.
In August of the year 1897, the Zionist program was definitely formulated.
"Zionism strives for the establishment of a publicly legally assured home for the Jewish people."
In that, all is expressed; from it, we will not be moved. There is nothing that the will cannot accomplish. He will accomplish his end, that enters upon his work with a strong and unbending purpose. Our manifest duty, therefore, lies in the work that comes up in our striving towards our aim, regardless of
obstacles. As a matter of fact, quite important aids in our great work have already appeared in many places, not only among Jews, but also among Christians. The time has not yet come when everything can be reported that has been accomplished, from the first Basle Congress to this day, in the direction of enlightening public opinion, and of placing our endeavors before the Powers interested, so that the fact that human laws, after all, are in harmony with the spirit of humanity, may be demonstrated.
That is the ethical side of the problem.
To acquire a land—for a scattered people, that has been scattered over all the lands and countries in which the Jews are now oppressed and martyred! Wherever the name "Geulah" will be heard, the sons of our people will rejoice and exult, if their hearts are still of flesh and have not been changed to stone. Wherever the sons of our people will be able to show the world that they understand the great Idea of Israel rearising on his own soil; that they still can and will uplift the nation; they will win friends for themselves, who will stand by them. The biggest and ugliest reproach that people can cast upon us is that we have no national ideal.
Those opponents of Zionism in our midst who attempt to stir up the belief that this movement will harm the Jews in the countries in which they live, could perhaps justify their bitter opposition with the charge that Anti-Semites contemplate Zionism with satisfaction.
But these very opponents of ours neither know nor understand that that same Zionism will bring about peace, a world-wide peace. This will be the fruit of our deeds, of those deeds for which they feel a deadiy hatred.
The movement to establish a Jewish settlement in the land of our fathers will bring balm and healing to those countries that are sick with Jew-hatred. It will at the same time,