posal will not accommodate more than a handful. Without “displacing” anybody, but, on the contrary, benefiting all around us, there is room for new settlements and for new towns and industries. Our only way to fight prejudice is to work; Palestine must be recreated through labor. In the sweat of our brow we must earn it.
Referring to the various parties in Zionism, Mr. Sokolow explains that economical, geographical, educational and psychological differences of the whole Jewish Diaspora brought about an endless differentiation of the Zionist conception. This splitting up into such opposite schools, Mr. Sokolow goes on to say, caused a lamentable break in the driving force and solidarity of the organization engaged in political efforts and practical achievement. But, on the other hand, such has been the fortune of every great truth in the history of the human race. The complete idealist arrives after numerous and antagonistic interpretations of the first idea have been presented. Only the synthetic thinker is able to note what particular part of the general idea of Zionism each of the divers parties embodies and how much each of them dimly perceives and emphasizes some particular aspect of the general idea. Pure Herzlism has almost ceased to exist, while both its spirit and method are the leaven at work in all the present Jewish thought. In idea it is the absolute, the ultimate, the perfect freedom. In its actual realization it is still seen in the process of development, with all distortions and limitations which all historical development implies. It died only as the seed which grows.
Mr. Sokolow goes on to regret the aloofness and inadequate support on the part of considerable sections of our own people. Burdened even with all possible limitations, we could make great progress if we had sufficient means. How can we criticize others for anti-Zionist tendencies and irresoluteness when our own people are aloof or indifferent? We recognize our task as one far too great and beyond our own financial means. It is absurd for non-Zionists—there are very few anti-Zionists left in these days—to stand aside watching us trying to drag the load of centuries out of the mud. The cart will not be moved up the hill unless the whole House of Israel puts its shoulders to the wheel. It is cowardly to stand by as onlookers, and yet, despite our lack of support from the rich, nothing is more touching than the gradual growth of our funds through the contributions of the poor. The time must come when we shall have new hundreds of thousands of Jews flourishing on their homesteads in Palestine, peaceful and respected citizens, a valuable source of national health and stability, an element of peace and progress, in contrast with their brethren degraded by homelessness.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
