Jews In Palestine: Rabbi Replies to Letter in Post Criticizing Zionists

Julius T. Loeb, “Jews In Palestine: Rabbi Replies to Letter in Post Criticizing Zionists,” Washington Post (Washington, DC), Aug. 8, 1937.

Jews In Palestine 

Rabbi Replies To Letter In Post Criticizing Zionists.

    To the Editor of The Post—Sir: Your Mr. J. O. Knott is at it again. For fear lest his former harangue found no hearkening ears, he is out with a new tirade upon the Jews and Palestine.

    In his letter to The Post of July 30, Mr. Knott is wondering why prominent Americans would join with the Jews in protest against the British plan of partitioning Palestine.

    He talks with an air of high authority, as “one who knows;” as if to tell the world: Why worry about your “Knotty” problems—call on Mr. Knott, who will unravel the tangled mass, and “unscrew the inscrutable,” wizard fashion.

    Says he: “The Jews have no rights of original possession of Palestine; the Arabs held it last, and it is theirs.”

    I shall not argue the question with this gentleman on religious grounds. It is clearly evident that he has discounted the Bible and has but slight regard for prophetic prediction of Israel’s return.

    Inasmuch as the issue here involved is one of public concern, politically and socially no less than religiously, I shall cite the facts in the case and leave it to the intelligent and unbiased reader to decide.

    According to our critic, the Jew is a usurper, come to supplant the Arab population in Palestine. He would, therefore, justify the acts of violence, murder, and destruction perpetrated upon peaceable Jewish colonists in Palestine. 

    He further declares the Arabs were promised Palestine for “helping the British to drive off the Turk during the World War.”

    The truth of the matter is: Promises made to the Arabs during the World War have been carried out by the British government in the establishment of four independent kingdoms, namely: Arabia, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt.

    Palestine was never included in the allotment, nor was it ever promised to the Arabs. Former Commissioner McMahon categorically denies the claim of Arab agitators that Palestine was mentioned in his letters to Emir Abdulah, as being part of Syria to be given to the Arabs. 

    Palestine is not now a part of Syria. It is an independent state. And on such basis it was pledged to the Jews through the issuance of the Balfour Declaration on November 2, 1917. And herein the historic rights of the Jews in Palestine were recognized by the British government, and subsequently ratified by the British mandate, established in 1922.

    Have the Jews merited such recognition by any of their services rendered to the cause of the British dominion?

    For an answer, I shall quote from a recent public statement by David Lloyd Geoge, World War Prime Minister of Great Britain. He says:

    “The promise Jews gave of help in the war was fulfilled in letter and spirit. And their help was truly helpful.”

    “Have the Jews failed in their efforts at colonization?” asks Lloyd George. And he answers:

    “Trouble has arisen entirely from the magnitude of their success. The royal commission report handsomely acknowledges their triumph. It faithfully records the fact that before the Jews took the country in hand, it was a squalid desolation. Now it is a land of industry, labor, and opportunity.

    “The advent of the Jews has been like a transfusion of healthy blood to a community that lacked vitality and vigor.

    “The Arabs have every reason to be thankful for the war won by the Allies, and to which the Zionist pledge was incident. 

    “What the Arabs got out of it, freedom over vast territory much more extensive than that ruled over by the imposing empire of the Assyrian kings.”

    “What the Arabs got out of it, freedom over vast territory much more extensive than that ruled over by the imposing empire of the Assyrian kings.” [sic]

    This is the story told by one who ought to know. And Mr. Knott may take it at its face value, compare notes and become aware that in reality it was the Jews who conquered Palestine anew. 

    The substantial aid and undivided sympathy and cooperation they have afforded to the British in gaining possession of the land, became only a forerunner to reclamation of the Palestine soil by the Jews.

    The cherished soil of ancient Judea readily responded to the touch of the devoted hands of the Jewish pioneers, which it failed to do in 1,600 years of Arab habitation and 12 centuries of domination by their Turkish masters.

    RABBI J. T. LOEB.

    Washington.