PALESTINE FOR THE JEWS
Sir.-Your Gentile’s interview with Dr, Traub has roused many emotions and thoughts in at least one reader. Never since this pitiless and protracted crucifixion of Israel began can one remain indifferent to the sufferings of that race "beloved for the fathers’ sakes." New Zealand’s ungenerous and suspicious failure to welcome their refugees stands in sharp contrast with the action of Shanghai city, which admitted 5000 of them, But however generous the Balfour Declaration may be, it cannot over-ride that weighty pronouncement dating from the early days of Jewish subjugation: "Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled."
E. J. D.
HERCUS
(Christchurch).
Sir,-Your full-page account of an interview with a Zionist gives one point of view. May I suggest another? The religion of the Hebrews was at first associated with a very narrow nationalism, but this was later outgrown in the highest teaching of the prophets where we have not nationalism but a light to lighten the Gentiles; not sacrifice in Zion, but mercy and justice. If the Hebrew scriptures are regarded as a progressive revelation, then we must distinguish the higher from the lower stages, and I contend on this ground that Zionism is a reversion to early tribalism. Our hearts bleed for the sufferings of our brethren under the Nazis, but one injustice is not remedied by creating another, The land of Palestine is not half empty in the sense that unrestricted immigration can go on (as Dr. Traub seems to wish), without injustice to the Christian and Muslem dwellers in the land, who have been there from generation to’ generation for many hundreds of years. It is not only unfair to taunt Britain with appeasing the Arabs; it is also beside the point. The true Hebrews expect toleration for themselves, and when in power give it to others. Zionists, however, appear to be in a different category. Not many years ago, in spite of strong protests, a Zionist corporation raised the level of the Sea of Galilee several feet, thus obliterating a number of sites sacred to Christians for nearly two thousand years.
CHESETH LO ZABACH
(Pukerau).
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 9, Issue 213, 23 July 1943, Page 3
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362PALESTINE FOR THE JEWS New Zealand Listener, Volume 9, Issue 213, 23 July 1943, Page 3
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