News Brief

No manifestations of Arab unfriendliness were apparent yesterday in a trip from Tel Aviv to Afuleh, a distance half across Palestine, past long unsettled stretches of bleak, stony mountains and through the Arab towns of Tulkarem, Jenin and other places. Arab camel trains and Arab shepherds were passed in perfect peace. A few weeks ago such a trip was impossible. Artificially stimulated disorders could collapse so quickly but not a national revolt.

After passing through Arab country I entered the rich Emek valley at Beth Alpha. This Kvutza was besieged for three days by the Arabs during the riots. If it had fallen it would have left the entire Emek valley open to attacks. That it did not fall was due solely to the bravery of its defenders who successfully fought off hordes of Bedouins who had half encircled Beth Alpha. Firing from the hilltops and burning of haystacks further endangered the defenders.

Bullet holes in the windows and walls and houses and sandbags piled high for defense are still visible.

Discussing the riots with one of the leaders of the Kvutza, he said although his people were formerly on the friendliest terms with the Arabs but were now enemies he was glad none of them were killed. He felt that the Bedouins themselves, however, did not expect this enmity to be of long duration.

Nevertheless the Kvutza leader said his people were prepared to defend themselves whenever necessary. He places little faith in the Arab police but is confident in the strength of those who fought off the Arabs once before.

It is interesting to note that at no time do the chaluzim discuss politics except to express great delight at the ingenuity of the Palestine Labor Party’s daily newspaper. “Davar,” in appearing under a new guise every day despite the Government’s suppression for printing the discovered police blacklist. The chaluzim continue to busy themselves in their gardens, fields, stables and workshops.

In interviewing a twelve-year old boy he started me by the mature keenness of his ideas. He was “sorry to fight the Arabs but it was necessary when attacked. The Arab proletariat are not unfriendly but the rich landowners are the only real enemies of the Jews. It is necessary to enlighten the poor Arabs who will then ignore the agitation of the Effendis and aid the Jews in building up Palestine.”

The calmness and confidence of the youngster illustrate the self-respecting and brave attitude of the entire Kvutza as well as of others at Tel Joseph, Ain Harod and Merhavia visited later in the day.

At Ain Harod I was greatly surprised to find among the 250 men and women working in the fields and stables an American chalutz by the name of Mendelsohn, who is probably the first Jew coming from America to be granted a chalutz certificate allowing him to take up permanent residence here. He has been in Ain Harod for two weeks and he is already well browned from pitching hay.

Mendelsohn is completely at home in his new surroundings. He was born in the Bronx of Poale Zion parents. Last June he graduated as a civil engineer from the University of Wisconsin. He sailed from America just after the recent riots.

Answering my question as to why he left America he said “that I have always been dissatisfied with life in America although I could doubtless make a material success there. But as a Jew I felt that the cultural situation was deplorable. Furthermore I believe that the Jews cannot be a normal people without a national life, including agriculture and all branches of creative work. I am very happy here though still ignorant. I enjoy the hard labor and look forward to the time when no longer tired in the evenings I can join the others at the evening discussions and lectures.

“The other chaluzim are amused at the idea of an American migrating but they received me with open arms. They are glad to see that American (Continued on Page 8)

Jews are beginning to send more money. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of thirty Poale Zion chaluzim from America who are coming here for the same reasons that I came. I find my comrades wonderful but they are amazed at pitching hay with a man who whistles every movement of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony without stopping.

“I can speak speak very little Hebrew as yet but in the winter when there is less work I will have a teacher. I am delighted with the social arrangements here and the Kvutza’s spirit of general friendliness, cooperation, common dining room, mutual responsibility of work and individual freedom of conduct.” In short, the first full-fledged American chalutz finds life in the Kvutza not only up to expectations but even beyond.