History often provides crucial context for understanding the present. In December 1948, a group of prominent Jewish intellectuals, activists, and scientists – including Albert Einstein, philosopher Hannah Arendt, and historian Sidney Hook – penned a stark warning to the New York Times. Their target was Menachem Begin, leader of the newly formed "Freedom Party" (Herut - Tnuat Haherut), who was visiting the United States seeking support.
This powerful letter, reproduced below, makes chilling accusations. The signatories explicitly compared Herut's "organization, methods, political philosophy and social appeal" to Nazi and Fascist parties. They based this on Herut's direct lineage from the Irgun Zvai Leumi (IZL), a right-wing, nationalist paramilitary organization active during the British Mandate of Palestine, which the authors label a "terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist organization".
The letter focuses heavily on the Deir Yassin massacre (April 1948) as emblematic of Herut's methods and ideology. It further accuses Herut of preaching ultranationalism, religious mysticism, racial superiority, employing gangster tactics within the Jewish community, opposing free trade unions, and contributing nothing constructive to the Zionist project beyond violence.
Why This Matters Today: The Herut-Likud Lineage
The significance of this letter extends far beyond 1948:
Menachem Begin: Begin, the letter's subject, would later become the 6th Prime Minister of Israel (1977-1983). He was a foundational figure in Israeli right-wing politics.
Herut Party: Begin founded Herut in 1948, explicitly as the political successor to Vladimir Jabotinsky's Revisionist Zionist movement and the Irgun. Revisionism emphasized territorial maximalism (claiming sovereignty over both sides of the Jordan River, including all of Mandatory Palestine and Transjordan), military strength, and a more assertive, less compromising approach to achieving Zionist goals compared to the dominant Labor Zionism.
Likud's Core: In 1973, Herut merged with several smaller liberal and centrist parties to form the Likud bloc ("The Consolidation"). While Likud presented a broader coalition, Herut remained its dominant ideological and organizational core. Begin became Likud's first leader and first Likud Prime Minister.
Ideological DNA: The letter's core accusation – that Herut represented a form of "Revisionist Terrorism" evolving into a political movement with fascist tendencies, driven by territorial maximalism and a willingness to employ extreme violence and intimidation – speaks directly to the foundational ideology inherited by Likud from Herut and the Revisionist movement. While Likud's policies have varied, the core tenets of assertive nationalism, emphasis on historic Jewish claims to Judea and Samaria (West Bank), skepticism towards territorial concessions, and a security-first posture remain central to its identity, directly traceable to its Revisionist/Herut roots.
This letter is a remarkable historical document. It captures the profound alarm felt by leading Jewish figures at the rise of a political force they viewed as dangerously extremist, built upon a legacy of violence (specifically citing Deir Yassin) and espousing an ideology they equated with European fascism. Understanding this context is vital for comprehending the deep ideological currents that have shaped, and continue to shape, Israeli politics through the enduring influence of the Likud party.
Letter to the New York Times:
New Palestine Party: Visit of Menachem Begin and Aims of Political Movement Discussed
To the Editors of the New York Times:
Among the most disturbing political phenomena of our times is the emergence in the newly created state of Israel of the "Freedom Party" (Tnuat Haherut), a political party closely akin in its organization, methods, political philosophy and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties. It was formed out of the membership and following of the former Irgun Zvai Leumi, a terrorist, right-wing, chauvinist organization in Palestine.
The current visit of Menachem Begin, leader of this party, to the United States is obviously calculated to give the impression of American support for his party in the coming Israeli elections, and to cement political ties with conservative Zionist elements in the United States. Several Americans of national repute have lent their names to welcome his visit. It is inconceivable that those who oppose fascism throughout the world, if correctly informed as to Mr. Begin's political record and perspectives, could add their names and support to the movement he represents.
Before irreparable damage is done by way of financial contributions, public manifestations in Begin's behalf, and the creation in Palestine of the impression that a large segment of America supports Fascist elements in Israel, the American public must be informed as to the record and objectives of Mr. Begin and his movement.
The public avowals of Begin's party are no guide whatever to its actual character. Today they speak of freedom, democracy and anti-imperialism, whereas until recently they openly preached the doctrine of the Fascist state. It is in its actions that the terrorist party betrays its real character; from its past actions we can judge what it may be expected to do in the future.
Attack on Arab Village
A shocking example was their behavior in the Arab village of Deir Yassin. This village, off the main roads and surrounded by Jewish lands, had taken no part in the war, and had even fought off Arab bands who wanted to use the village as their base. On April 9 (THE NEW YORK TIMES), terrorist bands attacked this peaceful village, which was not a military objective in the fighting, killed most of its inhabitants240 men, women, and childrenand kept a few of them alive to parade as captives through the streets of Jerusalem. Most of the Jewish community was horrified at the deed, and the Jewish Agency sent a telegram of apology to King Abdullah of Trans-Jordan. But the terrorists, far from being ashamed of their act, were proud of this massacre, publicized it widely, and invited all the foreign correspondents present in the country to view the heaped corpses and the general havoc at Deir Yassin.
The Deir Yassin incident exemplifies the character and actions of the Freedom Party.
Within the Jewish community they have preached an admixture of ultranationalism, religious mysticism, and racial superiority. Like other Fascist parties they have been used to break strikes, and have themselves pressed for the destruction of free trade unions. In their stead they have proposed corporate unions on the Italian Fascist model.
During the last years of sporadic anti-British violence, the IZL and Stern groups inaugurated a reign of terror in the Palestine Jewish community. Teachers were beaten up for speaking against them, adults were shot for not letting their children join them. By gangster methods, beatings, window-smashing, and wide-spread robberies, the terrorists intimidated the population and exacted a heavy tribute.
The people of the Freedom Party have had no part in the constructive achievements in Palestine. They have reclaimed no land, built no settlements, and only detracted from the Jewish defense activity. Their much-publicized immigration endeavors were minute, and devoted mainly to bringing in Fascist compatriots.
Discrepancies Seen
The discrepancies between the bold claims now being made by Begin and his party, and their record of past performance in Palestine bear the imprint of no ordinary political party. This is the unmistakable stamp of a Fascist party for whom terrorism (against Jews, Arabs, and British alike), and misrepresentation are means, and a "Leader State" is the goal.
In the light of the foregoing considerations, it is imperative that the truth about Mr. Begin and his movement be made known in this country. It is all the more tragic that the top leadership of American Zionism has refused to campaign against Begin's efforts, or even to expose to its own constituents the dangers to Israel from support to Begin.
The undersigned therefore take this means of publicly presenting a few salient facts concerning Begin and his party; and of urging all concerned not to support this latest manifestation of fascism.
ISIDORE ABRAMOWITZ, HANNAH ARENDT, ABRAHAM BRICK, RABBI JESSURUN CARDOZO, ALBERT EINSTEIN, HERMAN EISEN, M.D., HAYIM FINEMAN, M. GALLEN, M.D., H.H. HARRIS, ZELIG S. HARRIS, SIDNEY HOOK, FRED KARUSH, BRURIA KAUFMAN, IRMA L. LINDHEIM, NACHMAN MAISEL, SEYMOUR MELMAN, MYER D. MENDELSON, M.D., HARRY M. OSLINSKY, SAMUEL PITLICK, FRITZ ROHRLICH, LOUIS P. ROCKER, RUTH SAGIS, ITZHAK SANKOWSKY, I.J. SHOENBERG, SAMUEL SHUMAN, M. SINGER, IRMA WOLFE, STEFAN WOLFE.
New York, Dec. 2, 1948