Smaller Actions Committee which (even when it was complete and not dispensed and parcelled out as at present) only represented one of the two fundamental tendencies of modern Zionism. Since the Seventh Congress we have always had two currents in Zionism; they have been styled "political" and "practical." The present Smaller Actions Committee is composed exclusively of the latter current. The political Zionists have been reduced to the rôle of an opposition, deprived of every means of directly influencing the action of the Executive.
I was a Neinsager at the Sixth Congress and have always voted for the programme and the personalities of the “practical” current. While recognizing that the present crisis has demonstrated certain faults in this programme, I am ever its partisan in regard to essentials. But I declare that the Executive must now be reconstituted on the basis of the principle of coalition. The maintenance of an Executive which represents only one wing of Zionism, at a time when we are in need of all our forces, is an inexcusable absurdity. Communities enormously rich in men and in resources, such as England and France have been constrained to form Coalition Ministries. We must do likewise; not only because in this way we would be more united and stronger, but above all because the present moment demands from us political work and we cannot do without the collaboration of those ‘who represent among us the political principle. It is useless to discuss whether their standpoint was or was not admissible before the war. But to-day their standpoint is more than justified by the necessities of the moment. What we lack, we have seen it, is a plan of political and diplomatic action. If there is in the ranks of Zionism an element capable of resuscitating this interest for political action, it is our “Opposition.” It must be invited to collaborate in the executive.
Naturally, this invitation must be bona fide and offered in a form acceptable to the opposition. Reconstruction cannot be effected, for example, in the form of a simple co-optation by the existing Smaller Actions Committee of two or three members of the Opposition chosen by that committee. Reconstruction must be based on two essential conditions: (a) the representatives of the opposition must be appointed by itself; (b) the number of representatives of each faction in the new executive must be equal.
The seat of the new executive must naturally be re-
moved. Switzerland is the only country that can be seriously taken into account. There, the central office would be an immediate contact with all the powers. Naturally, all the members of the new executive cannot be domiciled in Switzerland. Unfortunately, men entirely at the disposal of the party are very few. But those, at least, who are available could settle in Switzerland and they would remain in contact with the rest. I know all the objections that will be raised. I have heard it said that without a Congress the Executive cannot be changed, and that the Opposition cannot appoint its representatives, because it has not a management constituted and authorized to act in the name of the “Politicals.”” These objections are not worth the trouble of consideration. At a time like this one does not bother about the strict letter of a constitution, the authors of which could not foresee the present situation. If we create a Coalition Executive, the next Congress will not ask whether this step was in conformity with the constitution, but will simply approve it. As for the Opposition every one among us knows its leaders. It is they who will have to be asked for their list of the Executive, and they will find the means of settling it among themselves. As regards the other details, it will suffice to send to Switzerland two agents, one appointed by the Smaller Actions Committee and the other by the Opposition, so.that secondary questions can be settled without delay. There is only one thing that counts: We must have a Coalition Government.
I do not attribute a miraculous force to such a ministry. I am well aware of our weakness, which has become still greater through the terrible events of the war. But let the forces which still remain to us be at least united, concentrated, utilized. The new executive will not perform miracles. But of this I am sure: it will be active. It will do things the necessity of which is obvious to everybody. It will reinforce political action in England; it will appoint diplomatic representatives in Paris and Rome; it will prepare the literature necessary for diplomatic and propaganda action; and last, but not least, it will remind Zionists all over the world that Zionism lives and fights and will summon them all to work.
I beg all Zionists, without distinction of faction, to be the first in collaborating for the realization of this reform.
VLADIMIR JABOTINSKY.
The Eternal Riddle
Israel, my People, God’s greatest riddle, Will thy solution Ever be told? Fought—never conquered, Bent—never broken, Mortal—immortal, Youthful. thourh old.
Egypt enslaved thee,Babylon crushed thee,Rome led thee captive,Homeless thy head;Where are those nationsMighty and fearsome?Thou hast survived them,They are long dead.
Nations keep coming, Nations keep going, Passing like shadows, Wiped off the earth; Thou an eternal Witness remainest Watching their burial, Watchine their birth.
Pray who revealed thee Heaven’s great secret— Death and destruction Thus to defy? Suffering, torture, Stake, inquisition— Prithee, who taught thee Never to die?