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of the initial unpleasantness that drifted on the surface of the realization of this historic
decision. But this time it was not just the Jews who learned an unexpected lesson, but also
the nations of the world – a lesson entirely different from the one repeated by previous
Christian generations.
W hat did the arrogant nations, with their cultural and democratic values, have to say
at the sight of the Jewish struggle for self-definition in Eretz Yisrael? They voiced demands
for a ceasefire. And under the guise of such talk they actually spurred a "war solution"
to Eretz Yisrael’s quagmire, with an astonishingly hurried effort to unburden themselves
of international responsibility for the Jewish struggle over the resolution of the highest
institution of the nations: Let the Jews fight! If they are defeated in battle, never mind;
after all, annihilation in war is not defined as a "catastrophe" in the lexicon of history –
certainly not in the lexicon of the current generation. And if the Jews win… It is doubtful
that there were many among the nations who followed this thought through to its logical
conclusion. It was foreign to them. And if there were any among the nations who did
entertain this possibility, it would have been the fruit of "dry intellect alone, and not of
true feeling" – and it was not they who were to blame for this, but rather the old Jewish
fate; the general attitude among the nations towards the Jews over thousands of years.
H ence the great surprise of the entire world following the early Jewish victories in their
war in Eretz Yisrael, and the establishment of the State of Israel in the midst of fighting
with the Arab states.
Thus it was not just the State of Israel that was born, but also Jews who are free and
independent in the world; a new feeling and attitude of Jews towards the nations, and of
the nations towards the Jews. It is real and genuine Jewish autoemancipation for the first
time.
HaPoel HaTza'ir, vol. 36, May 19, 1948
190 The Friday That Changed Destiny
decision. But this time it was not just the Jews who learned an unexpected lesson, but also
the nations of the world – a lesson entirely different from the one repeated by previous
Christian generations.
W hat did the arrogant nations, with their cultural and democratic values, have to say
at the sight of the Jewish struggle for self-definition in Eretz Yisrael? They voiced demands
for a ceasefire. And under the guise of such talk they actually spurred a "war solution"
to Eretz Yisrael’s quagmire, with an astonishingly hurried effort to unburden themselves
of international responsibility for the Jewish struggle over the resolution of the highest
institution of the nations: Let the Jews fight! If they are defeated in battle, never mind;
after all, annihilation in war is not defined as a "catastrophe" in the lexicon of history –
certainly not in the lexicon of the current generation. And if the Jews win… It is doubtful
that there were many among the nations who followed this thought through to its logical
conclusion. It was foreign to them. And if there were any among the nations who did
entertain this possibility, it would have been the fruit of "dry intellect alone, and not of
true feeling" – and it was not they who were to blame for this, but rather the old Jewish
fate; the general attitude among the nations towards the Jews over thousands of years.
H ence the great surprise of the entire world following the early Jewish victories in their
war in Eretz Yisrael, and the establishment of the State of Israel in the midst of fighting
with the Arab states.
Thus it was not just the State of Israel that was born, but also Jews who are free and
independent in the world; a new feeling and attitude of Jews towards the nations, and of
the nations towards the Jews. It is real and genuine Jewish autoemancipation for the first
time.
HaPoel HaTza'ir, vol. 36, May 19, 1948
190 The Friday That Changed Destiny
