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THE JEWI'S'H NEWS

In Again, Out Again

Haganah to Limit Sabotage
To Acts Against 'Illegals'

Assurance from the Haganah that its operations against the
British would be limited to sabotage of installations directly con-
cerned with stoppage of illegal immigration eased the tension in
Palestine, according to a report from the New York Herald Tribune's
correspondent, Homer Bigart 4)
He also reveals that it was hint- estimated the value of the
ed in government circles that weapons at $750,000.
no repressive measures would be
A large number of troops cord-
imposed unless one of the 'under- oned off the colony of Bat Yam,
ground factions—Irgunists or adjoining Jaffa, and conducted a
Stern group—performed acts thorough search of the, area. A
resulting in the loss of British curfew was imposed. It is be-
lives. -
lieved that the troops were hunt-
(Recent attacks by these groups ing two sergeants kidnapped in
led to the death of two British Nathanya two weeks ago.
signalmen when they bit a booby
Martial law continues in Nath-
trap while digging for the broken thanya. meanwhile, although no
ends of a telegraph cable near evidence concerning the where-
Jerusalem.)
abouts of the kidnappers or their
According to a report by Carter victims has - been discovered at
L. Davidson, Associated Press the end of nine days of occupa-
correspondent, a secret discussion tion. The 54 attacks by dissi-
between the chairman of UN dent groups, set off by the siege
SpeciLl Commission, Emil Sand- of Nathanya, has already cost 11
stroem, and Menahem Beigin, lives and brought injury to 66
commander of the Irgun, will people.
provide part of the background
British military control of Na-
when the inquiry group writes thanya, diamond center and sea-
its report.
shore resort, was lifted after 13
Beigin outlined the general days of occupation.
history and aims of his organiza-
Lt. Gen. Sir Humphrey Gale,
tion as well as a five-point pro- who commanded the occupation,
gram for Jewish sovereignty in called on Mayor Oved Ben Ami
Palestine and Trans-Jordan. This and thanked him for the in-
program calls for the end of habitants' cooperation. Ben Ami
British occupation; transfer of replied that the community will
power ty a democratic represent- continue the search for the ab-
ative body; repatriation to Pal- ducted soldiers.
estine of all Jews wishing to
transfer; democratic elections Tripolitania Community
after the completion of repatria-
tion, and an international loan for Joins World Congress
the development of the soil for
NEW YORK. — The Jewish
use of Jews and Arab peasants.
A JTA story from Jerusalem, community in Tripolitania, com-
in the meantime, reported that posed more than 30,000 persons,
an arms cache discovered by has become_ affiliated with the
police in a Tel Aviv engineering World Jewish Congress, Dr. Ic-
plant was reported to be one of chak Schwartzbart, head of the
the largest Haganah arms dumps organization department of Con-
in Palestine. Informed sources gress, announced.

Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

.

Lebanon Refuses Irgunists Re-Enact 'ramifies
JTA Man's Visa - Of First Century's Sicarii •

After granting him a visa to
accompany the United' Nations
Special Committee on Palestine

Dr. Judah L. Magnes, who with Dr. Chaim Weizmann received
the first honorary degrees awarded by the Hebrew University of
Jerusalem, has been abused in many quarters for his political views
on Palestine.—To offset it, he also has been highly honored—and
deservedly.
A native American, he settled in Palestine with his family 25
years ago to establish the foundation- for the Hebrew University,
the groundwork for which was laid due to the efforts of a group
of Zionists and their supporters under the leadership of Dr. Weiz-
mann. For 22 years, Dr. Magnes directed the Hebrew University's
activities, has led it to worldwide recognition not only as a very
great school but also as the spiritual center of Eretz Israel and
therefore also of Am Israel.
Whatever may be said in criticism of Dr. Magnes' political -
views, credit will be awarded him for great achievements in es-
tablishing high standards for our University, in creating for it
dignity, in keeping it above political obstacles, and especially in
assuring for students apd faculty the most cherished ideal in a
university : academic freedom.
From 1925, when the university was established, until 19357 he
was its chancellor, and since the latter year has become its presi-

dent. He has fashioned policies which have brought into being one
department after another, attracting to Jerusalem some of the out-

standing Jewish scholars in the world. Today, the student body
counts more than 1,000, and among them are several score American
GIs. Soon, a medical school will be added to' the colleges in the uni-
versity. In its totality, it is the realization of a great vision, and Dr.
Magnes was among the cfiief inspirers of this creative effort.
Many will continue to disagree with him on the score of the
IHUD party and his attitude on a bi-national state. But all must re-
spect him. All of us surely join in wishing him well on his 70th
birthday. * I

Russell. Barnes` Articles
Russell Barnes' series- of articles in the Detroit News have upset
the better informed Zionists who were irritated by some of the
inaccuracies they contained.
The trouble with Barnes, a former co-worker whose sincerity
we do not doubt, is that he tried to cover too much ground in too
little time. The total result of his effort is confusion. We regret it
very much, Barnes being a tried newspaperman who could be a
factor for much good in clarifying issues affecting Zionism,
If Barnes were only to make a tour of Jewish colonies, attempt
to see Arabs and Jews privately and undertake to evaluate issues
dispassionately, without being influenced by conflicting documents,
we would be willing to bet on a far better result on Palestine than
we have seen in print under his name thus far.
•
•
Irving Rhodes Gets a Chrysler
Irving Rhodes, former Detroiter, successful publisher of the Wis-
consin Jewish Chronicle, is one of the country's top-ranking fund-
raising chairmen. After breaking a record in Milwaukee as the 1946
UJA chairman—securing his $1,000,000 goal—he simply had to resume
leadership of the 1947 drive for a goal of $1,700,000. By rasing $1,450,-
000, he and his co-workers set a new high in Jewish philanthropic
efforts in Milwaukee.
His co-chairmen appreciated his efforts. In spite of having been
"driven" by their boss during a strenuous campaign, they presented
him with a most valuable watch. On top of it, a larger group of
co-workers gathered to honor him and presented him with a Chrysler
New Yorker.
Why do we relate this? Because it is good to place on record the
fact that it is possible for people to cement friendships and
human values even during fund-raising drives, when it is inevitable
to witness some bad blood under pressure of forcing people to do
their duty. All glory to Milwaukee whose Jewish leaders mix com-
munity efforts with good fellowship.

By JUDAH GILEADI

History repeats itself!
This incontrovertible truth is
in evidence today in Palestine,
the Irgun re-enacting the role
of the Sicarii of the first century
of the common era.
Who were the Sicarii?
Heinrich Graetz, in his monu-
mental "History of the Jews,"
describes the Zealots in the chap-
ter dealing with the tragic years

of innocent blood, as too many
animals would
have been
slaughtered for the human

victims."

Valentine's Jewish Encyclope-
dia succinctly describes the Si-
carii as follows:
SICARII (wielders of the
sica, the short Roman dagger):
During the procuratorship of
Felix (52-60) the extreme na-
49 66 C. E., on page, 239 of Vol-
tionalists in Judaea (Zealots)
tune II, as follows:
were outlawed. Transformed
Another band of Zealots,
into an underground organiza-
grown wild and savage, forgot
tion they hid short daggers
the original aim of liberating
under their outer garments and
their country, and turned their
murdered those whom they
attacks upon the foes of the
considered unpatriotic. - The
latter info profit for them-
High Priest Jonathan was one
selves. They were called Sica-
of their victims. They resorted
rii, from the short dagger
also to the kidnapping of mem-
"sica," which they wore con-
bers of notable Jewish families
cealed under their cloaks, and
who were forced to redeem
with which, either openly or
arrested Sicarii as the price of
insidiously, they struck and
a 'child's release. The Roman
killed their enemies. The Si-
procurators crucified large
carii belonged to the very
numbers of Sicarii. At the out-
refuse of the Zealots. Later
break- of the revolt their lead-
they acknowledged the grand-
ers were Menachem ben Judah
sons of Judas of Galilee, Men-
of Galilee and Eliazar ben
ahem and Eliazar ben Jair,
Jair. While fighting for control
as their leaders, but at the
of the government during the
commencement of this epoch
war, they destroyed much of
they were under no discipline
the stores prepared for the de-
whatever. They wandered
fens* of Jerusalem.
about the country without any
• s I
defined object, lending their
While historians repudiate the
assistance to those who either
Sicarii and the place of honor
offered them a reward or an
in Jewish annals is given not
opportunity for satisfying their
to Eliazar ben Jair but to Jo-
thirst for revenge. Armed with
chanan ben Zaccai, it is gener-
daggers, they wandered.anfong
ally agreed that the Zealots were
the various groups that
patriots, albeit they were mis-
thronged the colonnade of the
guided. Outraged by the inhu-
Temple—during the festivals,
man treatment Jews received at
and unperceived, struck down
the hands of the Romans, they
those they had marked out as
resorted to violence and kidnap-
their victims. These murders
pings.
were committed with such ex-
traordinary rapidity and skill,
The Irgunists and the Sicarii
that for a long time the assas-
are identical in their acts as well
sins remained undiscovered,
as in their zeal for resistance to
but all the greater were the
tyranny. Misguided, repudiated
dread and horror excited by
by the officially recognized Ha-
those dark, mysterious deeds.
ganah, responsible Jews resent
Murders became so frequent
their being called terrorists or
that Jochanan ben Zaecai and • gangsters, but think of theni as
the teachers of the Law found
blinded by their passionj. The
it necessary to abrogate the
Zealots (Sicarii) were the Irgun-
sin-offering for the • shedding
ists of the first century.

-

GEROLD FRANK
as special correspondent for the
Jewish Telegraphic Agency, the
Lebanese government again with-
drew the permit.
Frank, whose UNSCOP reports
from Jerusalem have appeared
in The Jewish News, is the only
correspondent to be denied ad-
mission to the Arabic country to
cover the UNSCOP story. It is
believed that Lebanon objects. to
his presence be cause of his sen-
sational interview with the Chris-
tian Lebanese Patriarch who
declared himself in favor of Zion-
ism during the Anglo-American
Committee's visits in Lebanon
two years ago.
Last year, Frank addressed a
large audience in Detroit at Tem-
ple Beth El, under the auspices
of the Ladies' Auxiliary of the
Jewish National Fund. He ac-
companied Bartley C. Crum on
some of his tours and is credited
by Crum with valuable assist-
ance in the preparation of his
book, "Behind the Silken Cur-
tain."

•

Dr. Judah L. Magnes—Fighter for Academic Freedom

History Repeats Itself

ADL Chief Accuses
Cosset of 'Brazen Lie'
About Russian Jews

NEW YORK—New York State
Supreme Court Justice Meier
Steinbrink, national chairman of
the Anti-Defamation League of
Bnai Brith, accused Rep. Ed.
Gossett (D.-Tex.) of manufactur-
ing a "brazen lie" when he told
a congressional committee that

-

Between You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

(Copyright, 1347, Jewish Telegraphic

Agency, inc.)

Zionist Trends

The political complications now facing the Zionist movement

split within the Zionist leadership over financial
"100,000,000 of the displaced per- have not resolved a
sons are Russian Jews whom the issues . . . The main issue now under discussion between American

Soviet Union is deliberately try-I
.ing to plant in this countri for
fifth column activity."
In a bluntly-worded telegram
to t h e Congressman, Justice
Steinbrink charged him with
"having constantly ignored t h e
truth, insulted the intelligence of
all Americans and maligned the
Innocent homeless victims of
Naziism who at long last deserve
a chance to live a decent life in
a free country."
He challenged the Congress7
man's statement and cited the
testimony of expert witnesses
who have declared that the 800,-
000 DPs still housed in European
detention camps are "of many
faiths, predominantly Christians."
"Displaced persons who are
Jews are for the most part from
Poland, having fled together with
their Cftristian fellow nationals
from the oppression of totalita-
rianism," the message also read.

Anti-Defamation League
Appointments Announced

NEW YORK. — Lionel Bern-
stein, for many years active hr
New York Jewish communal af-
fairs, has been appointed director
of the eastern regional office of
the Anti-Defamation League of
Bnai Brith, Benjamin R. Epstein,
acting national director of the

Zionist leaders and leaders of the Jewish Agency in Palestine con-
cerns the right to use in America-some of the funds raised through
the United Palestine Appeal in this country . . . Agency leaders in
Jerusalem insist that these funds be transferred in full to the Jewish
Agency treasury which can then allocate them for whatever purpose
it decides . .. However, some of the American Zionist leaders be-
lieve that since the funds are raised in the United States, the alloca-
tions for major activities in behalf of Palestine in this country should
be made by them .. . The matter was discussed during the recent
visits in New York of Eliiner Kaplan, Agency treasurer . . . But
Kaplan seems determined that sole control over the distribution of
UPA funds remain vested in the Agency ... He, naturally, advances
weighty arguments to support his attitude . . . Yet his arguments
are not sufficiently convincing for advocates of "independence" for
American Zionism in financial matters ... This difference of opinion
is one of the reasons why the ZOA Economic Department is soon
to be abolished or completely reorganized . . . David Tenenbauin,
head of the department, resigned this week . . . He is a member of
the group which insists on "freedom."

•

•

•

The Domestic Scene

_The youth of today is the leadership of tomorrow . .. That is
why Jewish federations and welfare funds are now beginning So
pay special attention to organising Jewish youth ... Ostensibly the

Jewish youth groups are being organized for fund-raising, but ac-
tually the work of organizing them is also meant to prepare _them
for communal leadership.
TA revitalization of Jewish youth councils within the structure
of central community organizations has b€4en started with the return
of Jewish young men and women from the war • . It is developing
very successfully . . . Last year 31 cities of various sizes reported
This
that about $150,000 was raised by their youth divisions .
year the figure will be much higher . . . In Greater Boston alone
the Junior Division of the local Jewish Appeal has already raised
$65,000 ... In Atlanta the Youth Division of the local Jewish Welfare
Campaign raised more than $10,000. -
Constituting a real cross-section of the community, with no
domination by any one group, the Jewish youth divisions are also
a great help in cementing Jewish unity . . . They break through -the
barriers of diverse backgrounds that adults find so rigid . . . Work-
ing together in a common cause, many friendships are created that
otherwise might never have come into being . . . In a number of
cities the Jewish youth groups are represented on the local Jewish
community council or federation . . . On the whole, leaders of, the
communities, in training their youth for Jewish activities, find that
"the greatest educator is giving" ... A youth can receive literature,

league, announced.
Epstein also announced the ap-
pointment of Ben Z. Em-anuel as
director of the Metropolitan Chi-
cago office of the league. He suc-
can be bombarded with speeches, movies and lectures—yet he re-
ceeds Milton A. Semi, who has mains
uneducated concerning the Jewish problem . .. It
been named director of the is only relatively
when this youth gives to the best of his ability and induces
league's southern California re- others to give, that he becomes conscious of the actual problems in
gional office.
Jewish life.

•