New Insights on Mussolini and Zionism JERUSALEM — Classified ing with Weizmann (in Rome, the Mediterranean coast), documents which _ recently Feb. 17, 1934) Mussolini had but recognized by other reached the hands of Dr. devised a plan to divide states. Weizmann avoided Yitzhak Minerbi of the Heb- Palestine between the Arabs answering, and argued that rew University's Institute of and the Jews. In September before territorial solutions Contemporary Jewry have re- 1933, he instructed Marquis could be discussed, Jews vealed previously unknown Theodoli, the Italian chair- must make up at least half chapters in the strange story man of the League's per- of Palestine's population. of the relations between manent committee on man- But this was only part of dates, to work behind the the picture. Classified docu- Zionism and fascism. Dr. Minerbi is now re- scenes to mediate between ments from the Italian For- searching these documents Arabs and Jews. He told him eign Office now in Dr. Min- thoroughly with the help of it was in Italy's interest to erbi's hands testify to three Dr. Yoel Fishman, Hanan encourage large-scale aliya additional conversations be- Halfon and Amedeo Taglia- and quickly achieve an inde- tween Weizmann and a foreign ministry official nam- cozzo. New revelations about pendent Zionist state. Theodoli contacted repre- ed Scarpa. Scarpa was known the last meeting between Chaim Weizmann and Ben- sentatives of Zionism and of as a friend of the Jews, and ito Mussolini, and the rela- Arab nationalism and sought Weizmann was frank with tions between the Revision- a way to bring them to a him. ists and Mussolini, are among settlement based on territor- In the first conversation ial boundries in Palestine. Weizmann said that as far as the findings. "Mussolini's attitude to According to Mussolini's Zionism was concerned, it ward the Jews," says Dr. plan, the Jewish home was was preferable to put off a Minerbi, "was ambivalent. to rise in the southern part settlement with the Arabs He was not by nature an of Israel and the rest of the until the Jewish population of Israel reached half a mil- anti-Semite, but was prob- area would be Arab. The Italian Foreign Office lion. A catastrophe was in ably infected by the general- was less enthusiastic. "Italy store for us, he said, and has nothing to gain by the aliya, especially from Ger- creation of a Jewish state!" many, must be increased, at argued the foreign office, for all costs. these reasons: 1) Britain Another reason for delay- would not give up Palestine ing partition came up in because of its i strategic Weizmann's third conversa- value; 2) Britain would con- tion with Scarpa. "I am afraid tinue to support Zionism, be- of the Jews," Weizmann said. cause the Arab nationalist "What is the Zionist corn- movement wasliable to munity in Palestine? It is a jeopardize her position in the Babel Tower of people from region; 3) The future Jewish all corners of the earth, all state would continue to be professions, all levels. It will dependent on Britain; 4) A take more than a few years Jewish state in Palestine to mold them into an organic CHAIM WEIZMANN would be a new factor in the society. Turn the Zionist corn- ly prevailing anti-Semitism. Mediterranean, upsetting the munity into a state? Internal balance and competing eco- strife would soon finish it On the one hand, he was sus- nomically and politically with off!" picious of the Jews' power in the Meriterranean nations. Turning to documents deal- the world; on the other, On Nov. 24, 1933, Theodoli ing with the ties between the fascist ideology compelled him to suppress Zionist ac- wrote to the Italian under- Revisionists and the Fascist tivity among Italy's Jews. secretary for foreign affairs regime, Dr. Minerbi said, Thus, while Mussolini attack- "Further to the Prime Min- "This question is fraught ed the Italian Zionists, he did ister's directives, I have tak- with controversy. Attempts not always oppose Zionism in en actions in Geneva . . • had been made to discredit To my surprise, may I in the Revisionists and label his foreign policy. In his first meeting with form you that both sides feel them pro-Fascist. Their ans- Zionist leaders (Sokolow, that the only solution is a wer was that not only did Weizmann) Mussolini expres- territorial solution: to sep- Jabotinsky never meet Mus- sed interest in the possibili- arate the two elements." solini (as other Zionist lead- But subsequent events ers — e.g. Sokolow, Gold- ties for Italian immigration to Palestine — in the face of proved Theodoli's estimates mann, Weizmann — did), but he never even asked to. America's having closed im• to be unfounded. "The first statement is migration to Italians. Weizmann's reports of his true — Jabotinsky never met In exchange for jobs in last meeting with Mussolini with Mussolini." But Dr. Min- Palestine (particularly con- told of Mussolini's suggestion erbi has in his possession struction work in Haifa port) to Weizmann that a "State he promised vague political of Zion" be established in documents showing that al- in 1931 Jabotinsky support by Italy which as a Palestine. History teachers, wished to tell Mussolini that support member of the League of Mussolini told Weizmann, Nations had fought for equal that it is better to have a rights in the mandate over state with limited territory Palestine. (this time he spoke of he Even before his last meet- Jewish state as an area along Cultural' Calendar of Events in Detroit Jewish Community Week of May 25-31 I May 26-27—Weekend in Tel Aviv sponsored by Pioneer Worn- en at Labor Zionist Institute. Art show 8:30 p.m. Saturday; bazaar noon-10 p.m. Sunday. Admission. May 27-2:30 p.m.—United Jewish Social Club Yizkor Serv- ice for Holocaust victims at Cong. S h o m r e y Emunah. Free. May 31-6:30 p.m.—Shaarey Zedek Hospital Dinner at Young Israel of Oak-Woods. Michael Shashar, speaker. Admission. 544-8412. Is a British Kosher Hotel Competition for Grossinger's? BOURNEMOUTH, England —Grossinger's has an Eng- lish competitor. Green Park, an exclusive hotel on the British seafront, has an in- BENITO MUSSOLINI ternational staff of 95, but its cuisine is strictly kosher. The 60-room hotel is owned there was much to be done to promote Italy's interests and managed by Reuben in the East, and that the Mariott, a British hotelier Revisionist Party was pre- who is unrelated to the pared to act extensively on American Mariotts. His wife, Italy's behalf in exchange for the former Sarah Richman, a secret promise of support and her three unmarried sis- for Zionism. ters help in the management Jabotinsky himself (the of the hotel, but they look document states) was ready to Mariott for supervision. Sarah takes charge of the to meet with Mussolini to put social functions at the hotel. forth his plan. Less than a year later, on Judy Richman does the ac- Feb. 29, 1932, Leone Capri, counts, Ray is in charge of head of the Revisionists' reservations and reception Italian branch, sent a letter and Hannah oversees cater- ing, the kitchen, the dining (on official stationery with room and room service. the letterhead "Zionist Re- Green Park caters to the visionist Union — Italian Di- British faction of the Jewish vision") to the Italian For- high society. For Passover, a eign Office referring to his previous request to arrange guest must have "sterling reservations." a meeting between Jabotin- At Pesah we say no to sky and Mussolini. everybody—and then we sort Additional papers on the out the people we'd like to subject of the Revisionists have," Mariott said. He tele- and fascism include a letter phones the fortunate chosen dated Dec. 24, 1935 from a and asks them if they will be Revisionist representative to coming for Passover. the Italian consul in Jerusa- The ballroom was changed lem suggesting the establish- into a synagogue, and on ment of a school for Jewish holidays a Mariott relative flyers in Italy. comes to the hotel to serve Another letter, in 1936, as cantor for the services. suggests enrolling Jewish Re- Less observant Jews who visionists in Fascist move- head for a local casino in- ment ideological schools. stead of attending Friday Dr. Minerbi stresses that night services, have a special one must not forget that other privilege upon their return: Zionist leaders — Weizmann, the "shabbas entrance." The shabbas entrance is a Sokolow, Goldmann — had sought ties with the fascists polite way of saying one as well. "But apparently would rather be dropped off certain Revisionists were also at a street corner instead of attracted to fascism ideolo- in front of the hotel for the purpose of not offending any gically." Orthodox Jews. Mariott imp oses a TV blackout on the Sabbath. The only diversion allowed is Scrabble. The players keep score by opening a book to the page that corresponds to the players' score because writing is not permitte( On Saturday after sere: guests can promenade along the cliff top until noon. At the end of the Sabbath, Mariott signals the slowly- growing-impatient guests. A regular guest calls the wait- ing game "the time when the minutes are thq longest in the week." The Mariotts and the Rich- mans have an extraordinary memory for social detail and personal -idiosyncracy. They remember names, marriages, divorces and personal pref- erences. The main dish at the table d'hote is a choice of three kinds of fish, but Mariott said the guest may have all three or pick from three other types of fish. "What we put on the menu is just a suggestion," he said. A regular feature for Sat- urday night dinner is lox, and the Sunday night special is always borscht. Meat dishes are reserved for dinner and Saturday lunch. An Italian orchestra plays Italian, Hebrew and Yiddish melodies but is dis- continued on the Sabbath. Morning tea is always served in bed. Afternoon and evening teas are always ac- companied by cakes. Late card players can always ex- pect cheese, tea and biscuits, while losers at kalooki, a popular card game at the hotel, can have a cup of hot chocolate to put them to sleep. PORTFOLIO OF THE PRESENT Hebrew U. Board Approves $100 Million Endowment Fund JERUSALEM — The 35th of new, pollution-free sour- annual meeting of the Heb- ces of energy and others. rew University's board of governors came to a close The Muriel and Philip I. with the board resolving to work toward the establish- Berman National Medical ment of a $100,000,000 endow- Library, rising at the Heb- ment fund to be set up in rew U n i v e r s i t y-Hadassah time for the university's 50th Medical School at Ein Kerem, had its cornerstone anniversary in 1975. The proposal to establish officially laid in a ceremony. Presently housed in over- the fund was made by board chairman Sam Rothberg and crowded premises, the medi- unanimously approved by all cal library is hard put to ful- fill the needs of the univer- members. sity's expanding student body A chair in enviromental and research establishment studies has been established centered at Ein Kerem and, at the Hebrew University by at the same time, to serve Leon J. and Alyce K. Ell of other institutions in Israel. Miami. The new National Medical The new chair will further Library will come under the the work of the Hebrew Uni- aegis of the Jewish National versity in helping solve prob- and University Library, and lems of urban and rural plan- will serve physicians and ning, correct exploitation of medical researchers from all natural resources, creation over Israel. 48—Friday, May 25, 1973 THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS e "Tour Vealeh"—"Tour and Settle" is the name for a special effort undertaken by the Aliyah and Absorption Department of the Jewish Agency. The idea is to interest people in making their visit to Israel a personal exploration tour with a view of future set- tlement. ap/ri 131)/71 711` 5)14 17 •!.." 4 ■1 * 4 1 The other two ads reprinted here show the signs of the time in the mirror of today's Hebrew. Tuva, npl yrnIN ns nip rinn rivolotrloo 17/11/13/44 TlYvn 4 4 t.t•tivil 'D Course Opened for Masseurs and Masseuses 17 Honor your guests nyv rn5y5 nynn 1) ,31 tour 1 vealeh 4,14, 2nvi rniDio ❑ 71'71./ nmn 011'0 illet7Tli nTrinno 1'2), 711 r1)771 268146 11T71.) 1111 D11.1•11U a, 0 and take home a real pizza. A tourist who displays /his Avalhol Is a inve.vtigale. ■ the possibility jen . A li oh 10 Israel. Be friendly to hint! tour- tvi who is pleased will 1%•a1(1 10 conic iu .settle. 1ouri%1 who Special-Feature Prepared by Tarbuth Foundation for the Advancement of Hebrew Culture