Page 7 - Kol Bogrei Habonim - June 13

and unimportant, communal life was spontaneous was largely built round a series of myths." A little
and the level of social participation was high." By
the early 1970s, Tony claims that the Kibbutz had
little influence beyond its gates.
Having found myself in much agreement with
various points developed in the book, I part ways
with the author not only on some issues that he
analyses and, perhaps even more, on his
omissions. There are areas where Tony negates –
by omission – positive aspects, both positive to
Israel or at least somewhat justifying the positions
taken. I am disappointed at this clear imbalance of
the book as a whole. He writes little about
Palestinian (and in general, Arab) actions during
the period covered, with reference to their clear
and consistent refusal to consider compromise. I
think that the Jewish People has learned to pay
attention when large numbers of our present
enemies (potential future "partners") repeat, and
repeat again, that they will not rest until there is
no more Israel and we are all in the sea, or back
where we came from (reference to vast volumes
of rhetoric from Ahmedinijad, from Nassralah and
from Haniya, even at this present time).
I was also disappointed that he has nothing
positive at all to say about Zionism, Zionists and
Israel. Together with his all-out criticism of
Zionism, there is no reference to the tremendous
achievements of Zionism (and Israel) in such a
short period of historical perspective. Scientific
Research, progress in Medicine, Agricultural
Technology and the "start-up" culture are not
mentioned. Only the negative aspects receive
focus in the book.
Tony classifies Zionism and the biblical claim of
the Jews to the land as "myths", saying "Zionism
7
later in the book, we find this:
Zionism was an understandable answer to the
failure of emancipation and the rise of anti-
Semitism, but was based on at least three
myths: 'a land without a people for a people
without a land'; the biblical claim to the land;
'real' Zionism was humanistic and
progressive.
Even if one refutes the authenticity of Biblical
narrative, Tony ignores the fact that we have an
undeniable claim to the land has been shown time
and again by the thousands of archaeological finds
throughout the land.
For me, the book also raises some fascinating,
philosophical questions, questions with no clear-
cut answers. When Tony writes that …" the
community over-estimates the threat of anti-
Semitism to evade discussion of difficult
decisions,” I find myself wondering what right
Diaspora Jews have in trying to direct the policies
of Israel and the direction of Zionism. At the same
time, how would Tony define "over-estimation?"
How many Jews have to be shot or stabbed in
France, or how many Jewish cemeteries in UK
have to be defaced for it to be considered as
"over-estimating?"
My personal recommendation is that this is a book
that should be read by us all. There are many
hard-to-swallow 'home truths' even though Tony
fails to get to grips with the complexity of the
situation. While reading the book can be expected
to annoy and exasperate, it will provoke thought
and discussion.