Einstein and Israel

The great scientist was both a Zionist and bi-nationalist—a fact too complex for the author of a new book to accept.

By Ralph Seliger

For too many people around the world, what entirely defines Zionism are the following and similar misdeeds of contemporary Israel: the expansion of settlements on occupied territory in contravention of international law, the destruction and confiscation of Palestinian properties, a heavy-handed use of military might [RETURN TO ARTICLE]

  • Reader Comments

     Page 1 of 1 pages

    Another prominent Jewish leader who favored bi-nationalism and considered herself a Zionist was Henrietta Szold, founded of Hadassah.

    United States Posted by Ross Hyman on Sep 9, 2009 at 7:29 PM

    I guess my problem with the so-called Zionist Left is how they can continue to espouse/defend Zionism and still claim to be progressive.  Because to me, and many others on the left, it is “political” Zionism itself that was, and continues to be the problem.  As stated by Ben Ehrenreich:

    “The problem is fundamental: Founding a modern state on a single ethnic or religious identity in a territory that is ethnically and religiously diverse leads inexorably either to politics of exclusion (think of the 139-square-mile prison camp that Gaza has become) or to wholesale ethnic cleansing.  Put simply, the problem is Zionism.”  For the full article, see:

    http://www.commondreams.org/view/2009/03/16-2

    This is what I think the anti-Zionist Left is trying to say when they discuss Einstein’s (and others’) “cultural” Zionism, i.e. sympathy for the plight of the Jews, but a recognition that a political project based on religion or ethnicity would amount to a crime against the majority of the native population that did not share such characteristics.  As stated by Daphna Baram in the Guardian, it is time for progressive Zionists to rethink Zionism. See:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2009/feb/16/israelandthepalestinians-israeli-elections-2009

    United States Posted by Imran on Sep 10, 2009 at 12:18 PM
     Page 1 of 1 pages

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