Description
Caution: Zionism! is a collection of essays written by the Soviet historian Yuri Ivanov about the ideology, practical policies and organizations of Zionism, in the service of the imperialist bourgeoisie since its inception. Basing his arguments on fact, Ivanov argues that Zionism is a bellicose reactionary force working against the genuine national interest of all peoples. Zionism itself emerged from the circles of the wealthiest Jewish bourgeoisie, linking itself with the imperialist countries, especially the rulers of the United States, and has been used as a devout anti-communist and anti-people weapon ever since. From its earliest days, it has used the cloak of rallying the Jews of Europe to ignore all the events occurring around them and form a nation, a solution which Lenin denounced, illuminating assimilation as the aspiration of the progressive Jews. The Zionists’ solution believed anti-Semitism was positive and useful in rallying the Jews to their exclusion, while Lenin’s solution was the only road to genuinely abolish the scourge of anti-Semitism. This led to the greatest crime against the Jews when the Zionists, through figures such as Rudolf Kastner, sold out the working-class Jews to Hitler’s camp if only the elite Jews could emigrate and settle in Palestine. At the time, the Zionists bragged that their goal was not to save the Jews at all but to advance their aims for a state. Various Zionist organizations also collaborated with Hitler for their own financial aims and remained untouched. Within the Jews, as in all peoples, there is the working class, on the one hand, and the bourgeoisie, on the other. Zionism is the ideological and organizational weapon of the latter.
Since the end of the Second World War, the Arab peoples, particularly the Palestinians, have faced the brunt of the Zionist aggression against the people. Not only has extensive territory been annexed, but atrocities have been and are being committed daily on a scale that has only rivalled their nazi friends. All progressive humanity must raise a hand against Zionist aggression and stand firm in internationalism with the fighting Arab peoples.
Despite certain errors owing to the character of the state under which this book was published, the original content has been retained, leaving judgement up to the reader. The overall text is a serious historical treatment of Zionism from its inception through the establishment of the state of Israel.