The Maccabaean

WE give elsewhere several letters received from esteemed Zionists who protest against the use of the cartoon which appeared in the January issue of The Maccabaean. These letters were selected from a number of communications and resolutions practically repeating the same objections. It is presumed, therefore, that they reflect a large body of Zionist opinion, which, in a democratic movement like ours, is entitled to a respectful and considerate hearing.

It may seem a trivial matter to discuss an illustration in a magazine; there are all sorts of tastes in this world, and what one may regard as a bad drawing another may say is good, and what one may regard as vulgar another may claim to be merely virility; but the nature of the criticism of the January cartoon raises issues of a broader import, which should be openly discussed. As a rule, all cartoons, good or bad, tackle situations with graphic boldness. This inevitable boldness seems to have affected a number of Zionists unpleasantly. They probably would not have been so affected by they were used to the consideration of Jewish controversial questions as such questions are treated in American or English political life.

Many Zionists assume that the opposition to Zionism is based on ignorance of the facts or wilfulness, and that our propaganda should consist mainly in explaining our objects, telling the story of our achievements in Palestine, and collecting funds for the work in Palestine. It is thought that this propaganda, suavely conducted, and politely expounded, will win over our active opponents. Such an idea implies a naive understanding of our problem.

The opposition is not mere whim and ignorance. It is deliberate and conscious of its purpose. It is based upon a different interest in life, the interests of a nationally de- classe element, which is determined that no Jewish national objective shall interfere with their denationalized way of living. This opposition feels that Zionism has come to disturb the status quo of American Jewry, introducing new ideals and new methods. It claims that Zionism is in contradiction to both American patriotism and to the conception of Jewish life which reduces the ties that bind to a religious bond. We may think that logically there is no such contradiction. We may declare there is no such contradiction. But they feel keenly that there is such a contradiction. When the various gentlemen who have been attacking Zionism publicly write and speak against Zionism, they do so because they feel that we have come to destroy their conception of Judaism, that we have come to offer national resistance to the forces of assimilation, that we aim to establish a Jewish nationality recognized by the world, and that we bringe an ideal that requires consecreation to new tasks.