Herzl, Theodor, 1860-1904; Zionism; Zionists -- Austria -- Biography
It might further be said that we ought not to create new distinctions
between people; we ought not to raise fresh barriers, we should rather
make the old disappear. But men who think in this way are amiable
visionaries; and the idea of a native land will still flourish when
the dust of their bones will have vanished tracelessly in the winds.
Universal brotherhood is not even a beautiful dream. Antagonism is
essential to man's greatest efforts.
But the Jews, once settled in their own State, would probably have no
more enemies. As for those who remain behind, since prosperity
enfeebles and causes them to diminish, they would soon disappear
altogether. I think the Jews will always have sufficient enemies, such
as every nation has. But once fixed in their own land, it will no
longer be possible for them to scatter all over the world. The
diaspora cannot be reborn, unless the civilization of the whole earth
should collapse; and such a consummation could be feared by none but
foolish men. Our present civilization possesses weapons powerful
enough for its self-defence.
Innumerable objections will be based on low grounds, for there are
more low men than noble in this world. I have tried to remove some of
these narrow-minded notions; and whoever is willing to fall in behind
our white flag with its seven stars, must assist in this campaign of
enlightenment. Perhaps we shall have to fight first of all against
many an evil-disposed, narrow-hearted, short-sighted member of our own
race.
Again, people will say that I am furnishing the Anti-Semites with
weapons. Why so? Because I admit the truth? Because I do not maintain
that there are none but excellent men against us?
Will not people say that I am showing our enemies the way to injure
us? This I absolutely dispute. My proposal could only be carried out
with the free consent of a majority of Jews. Action may be taken
against individuals or even against groups of the most powerful Jews,
but Governments will never take action against all Jews. The equal
rights of the Jew before the law cannot be withdrawn where they have
once been conceded; for the first attempt at withdrawal would
immediately drive all Jews, rich and poor alike, into the ranks of
revolutionary parties. The beginning of any official acts of injustice
against the Jews invariably brings about economic crises. Therefore,
no weapons can be effectually used against us, because these injure
the hands that wield them. Meantime hatred grows apace. The rich do
not feel it much, but our poor do. Let us ask our poor, who have been
more severely proletarized since the last removal of Anti-Semitism
than ever before.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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