The Revisionist Union and Britain: From declarations of “loyalty” to the employment of “methods of bullying”

Abstract

The nature of British rule in Palestine, as it settled down after the approval of the Mandate in 1922, had its critics among the Zionist ranks. Using original sources, this paper examines the attitudes of the leadership of the Revisionist Union (RU) towards the British from the first quarter of the 1920s till the mid-1930s. Unlike the later paramilitary organizations, the Revisionist founders, convinced, in their own words, of the common interests shared with the British Empire, had no intention of terminating the British presence, but sought to transform it in order to serve Zionism’s objectives. While official Zionism preferred backstage diplomacy, the RU pursued a different strategy – appealing directly to the masses and making its cause as public and vocal as possible. Eventually, the RU’s strategy combined the principle of pro-British orientation with merciless criticism of Palestine policies on the ground. As far as the British were concerned, the Colonial Office was at best willing to tolerate a set of proposals they saw as unrealistic. Once these started to actively erode the integrity of British policy in the region, unsolicited “enthusiasm” was reclassified as dangerous “extremism.”

Keywords:

• Interwar Zionism
• Israeli right
• Jabotinsky
• Palestine Mandate
• British Empire

Notes

1. Regarding the conquest, see Grainger, The Battle for Palestine 1917. For both the aspects of military conquest and the administration, see Hughes, Allenby and British Strategy in the Middle East 1917‒1919.

2. Regarding Curzon, see Fisher, Curzon and British Imperialism in the Middle East 1916‒1919.

3. For a recent critical assessment of the wartime alliance, see Renton, The Zionist Masquerade.

4. For balanced accounts, see the seminal work of Shavit, Jabotinsky and the Revisionist Movement, 1925‒1948, or the more recent work by Shindler, The Triumph of Military Zionism. For the most recent biography of Jabotinsky, see Halkin, Jabotinsky.

5. In the early 1930s, the extremist stance was upheld by a Revisionist group led by Abba Ahimeir and known as the “maximalists.” For an exploration of the differences between Jabotinsky and Ahimeir, see Heller, “Ha-monizm shel ha-matarah o ha-monizm shel ha-emtza’im?,” 315‒69.

6. Heller, The Birth of Israel, 1945‒1949, 9.

7. Protokoll der III. Weltkonferenz der Union der Zionisten-Revisionisten, 7.

8. “Vozzvanie Soiuza sionistov-revizionistov” [Proclamation of the Union of Zionists-Revisionists], Rassviet, April 17, 1927, 1.

9. V. Jabotinsky, “Politicheskaia offensiva” [Political Offensive], Rassviet, March 2, 1924, 4, 6.

10. “Doklad M. Grossmana” [M. Grossman’s Lecture], Rassviet, November 22, 1925, 4.

11. “Zionist ‘Revisionists’ in Conference,” Jewish Chronicle, May 8, 1925, 13.

12. “Vtoroi sezd Soiuza sionistov-revizionistov” [Second Conference of the Union of Zionists-Revisionists], Rassviet, January 16, 1927, 14.

13. “Vtoroi sezd Soiuza sionistov-revizionistov” [Second Conference of the Union of Zionists-Revisionists], Rassviet, January 9, 1927, 16.

14. Letter from V. Jabotinsky to R. Lichtheim (in English), March 1, 1922, 3, Jabotinsky Institute, Tel Aviv (hereafter JI) P140-3.

15. “Déclaration du Comité Central de l’Union des Sionistes-Révisionnistes,” JI G1-23.

16. “Nachtrag zum Protokoll vom 25. Feb. 1927,” 1‒2, JI G1-2.

17. Letter from V. Jabotinsky to L. S. Amery, June 6, 1928, 1, The National Archives, Kew (hereafter TNA) CO 733/158/3.

18. J. Schechtman, “Siurpriz” [Surprise], Rassviet, October 21, 1923, 7.

19. J. Schechtman, “Impressionizm” [Impressionistic Policy], Rassviet, August 22, 1926, 4; I. Trivus, “Krizis kolonizatsii” [Crisis of Colonization], Rassviet, May 1, 1927, 6; V. Jabotinsky, “Bol’shinstvo” [Majority], Rassviet, October 21, 1923, 4‒5.

20. “Vtoroi sezd Soiuza sionistov-revizionistov” [Second Conference of the Union of Zionists-Revisionists], Rassviet, January 9, 1927, 13.

21. Smith, The Roots of Separatism in Palestine, 27, 42, 151.

22. Shindler, The Triumph of Military Zionism, 91‒92.

23. “Circular No. 5,” November 13, 1929, 2, JI G2-1/2.

24. Letter from M. Grossman to R. Lichtheim (in English), May 27, 1930, 1, JI P59-8/99/2.

25. “(Circular) Not for publication in the press, strictly confidential,” March 25, 1929, 2, JI G2-1/2.

26. “Manifest” (in German), 1927, 3, JI G1-22.

27. I. Trivus, “Osnovy revizionizma” [Principles of Revisionism], Rassviet, November 8, 1925, 6.

28. “Vtoroi sezd Soiuza sionistov-revizionistov” [Second Conference of the Union of Zionists-Revisionists], Rassviet, January 9, 1927, 15.

29. “Circular no. 5,” November 13, 1929, 2, JI G2-1/2.

30. Protokoll der III. Weltkonferenz der Union der Zionisten-Revisionisten, 88.

31. “Zirkular no. 9,” May 16, 1928, JI G1-4.

32. Protokoll der III. Weltkonferenz der Union der Zionisten-Revisionisten, 35.

33. Basic Principles of Revisionism, 5.

34. “Principles and Action Programme of the Executive Committee London,” 3, JI G2-1/1.

35. For a general account of British rule, see Wasserstein, The British in Palestine.

36. Smith, The Roots of Separatism in Palestine, 35; Metzer, The Divided Economy of Mandatory Palestine, 178.

37. Letter from the Revisionist Head Office to the Colonial Office (in English), June 9, 1928, JI G1-7.

38. Minute by J. Shuckburgh, July 12, 1928, TNA CO 733/158/3.

39. Stein, The Land Question in Palestine, 1917‒1939, 83.

40. “The Revisionist Bulletin, no. 3,” October 10, 1929, 1, JI G2-5/3; for the involvement of some Revisionist figures, such as Joseph Klausner, see Shindler, The Triumph of Military Zionism, 96‒101.

41. “Miting’ revizionistov v Parizhe” [Meeting of the Revisionists in Paris], Rassviet, September 9, 1929, 8.

42. Ibid., 10.

43. “The Revisionist Bulletin, no. 4,” October 28, 1929, 3, JI G2-5/3.

44. “Declaration and Demands of the Executive Committee of the Union of Zionists Revisionists,” August 29, 1929, JI G2-3/1.

45. “Executive Committee Issued the Following Statement on September 26^th, 1929,” 1, JI G2-3/1.

46. For a comparison with the views of the radicals, see Shavit, Jabotinsky and the Revisionist Movement, 1925‒1948, 204‒08.

47. “Das Referat von V. Jabotinsky ‘Die Krise im Zionismus und die Aufgaben der Zionistischen Bewegung’,” 2, JI G2-III/1/7.

48. Ibid., 4.

49. “Das Referat von M. Grossman ‘Rekonstruction der Zionistischen Politik’,” 4, JI G2-III/1/7.

50. Ibid., 5.

51. “Protokoll der 5. Sitzung,” 1, JI G2-III/1/7.

52. “Protokoll der 3. Sitzung,” 3, JI G2-III/1/7.

53. (Recanati’s speech, no title, in French), August 12, 1930, 2, JI G2-III/1/7.

54. “Protokoll der 9. Sitzung,” 2, JI G2-III/1/7.

55. “Circular Letter, no. 2/II,” September 19, 1930, 1, JI G2-1/2; “Press Bulletin,” September 8, 1930, 1, JI G2-II/1/3.

56. “Protokoll der Sitzung des Exekutivkomitees der Union der Zionisten-Revisionisten am 8. und 9. Juni 1930,” 5, JI G2-5/1.

57. “Bericht über die Sitzung des Exekutivkomitees vom I. XI. 1930,” 3, JI G2-5/1.

58. J. Brutzkus, “Psikhologia pogromov” [Psychology of Pogroms], Rassviet, April 27, 1930, 2.

59. Ibid., 3.

60. Ibid., 4‒5.

61. M. Berchin, “Kak eto moglo sluchit’sia?” [How Could this Have Happened?], Rassviet, May 25, 1930, 2.

62. M. Berchin, “Mister’ Shils’ i drugie” [Mr. Shiels and Others], Rassviet, July 6, 1930, 4.

63. I. Rosov, “Krivoe zerkalo” [Crooked Mirror], Rassviet, June 8, 1930, 3.

64. M. Grossman, “Postepnaia likvidatsiia” [Gradual Liquidation], Rassviet, May 25, 1930, 6.

65. J. Schechtman, “Nash otvet” [Our Response], Rassviet, May 25, 1930, 4.

66. O. G. R. Williams to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, May 27, 1931, TNA CO 733/207/3.

67. Letter from P. Cunliffe-Lister to A. Wauchope, November 20, 1931, TNA CO 733/207/3.

68. O. G. R. Williams, “Memorandum,” June 5, 1930, TNA CO 733/192/4.

69. Shindler, The Triumph of Military Zionism, 112.

70. Letter from J. R. Chancellor to Lord Passfield, January 17, 1930, 1, TNA CO 733/186/3; see also Letter from S. H. Wilson to L. S. Amery, June 10, 1930, 1, TNA CO 733/186/3.

71. Letter from J. R. Chancellor to J. Shuckburgh, June 11, 1930, 2, TNA CO 733/186/3.

72. “The Revisionist Bulletin, no. 16,” June 27, 1930, 1, JI G2-5/3.

73. Letter from L. S. Amery to D. Shiels, February 7, 1930, 1, TNA CO 733/186/3.

74. D. Shiels to S. H. Wilson, March 27, 1931, TNA CO 733/200/6.

75. “Mr. Jabotinsky’s expulsion from Palestine: An important letter by Mr. Jabotinsky in reply to the desire of Zionist Executive to intervene,” July 1, 1930, 1-2 (resp. 3-4), JI G2-3/1.

76. See Stein, The Land Question in Palestine, 1917‒1939, 90‒93, 134‒138.

77. “Statement Issued to the Press by the World Union of the Zionists-Revisionists, Urgent,” October 19, 1930, 1, JI G2-II/1/3.

78. “Press Conference at the Revisionist Central Office,” February 18, 1931, 1, JI G2-II/1/3.

79. J. Schechtman, “Chto delat’?” [What to Do?], Rassviet, November 2, 1930, 5.

80. D. Sochar, “Mandat palestyński winna otrzymać Polsko” [Palestine Mandate Should be Transferred to Poland], Nasz Przegląd, September 4, 1929, 5.

81. J. Brutzkus, “Kto avtor podvoda” [Who Authored the Deceit], Rassviet, December 28, 1930, 2‒3.

82. M. Grossman, “Farhandlungen, vos kenen verden geferlikh” [Negotiations, What Could be Dangerous], Der Nayer Weg, December 19, 1930, 1.

83. V. Jabotinsky, “Malburk’ v pokhod sobralsia” [Malburg has Set Off on a March], Rassviet, November 16, 1930, 8‒9.

84. V. Jabotinsky, “Prosveshchennye moreplavateli” [Enlightened Navigators], Rassviet, December 7, 1930, 2.

85. V. Jabotinsky, “Politicheskie polozhenie sionizma” [Political Situation of Zionism], Rassviet, February 22, 1931, 3.

86. (Editorial), “Vos vet tan a revizionistishe ekzekutive?” [What Shall a Revisionist Executive Do?], Der Nayer Weg, May 24, 1931, 4.

87. “Press Bulletin,” January 5, 1932, 6-8, JI G2-II/1/3.

88. Ibid., 3-4.

89. Ibid., 7.

90. “Burzliwe obrady światowej konferencji rewizjonistów” [Stormy Proceedings at the Revisionist World Conference], Nasz Przegląd, August 13, 1930, 4.

91. “Protokoll der Sitzung des Exekutiv-Komitees vom 6. und 7. Februar 1932 in Paris,” 1, JI G2-5/1.

92. Ibid., 3.

93. “The Revisionist Bulletin, no. 16/II,” February 26, 1932, 2, JI G2-6/3.

94. “Zaiavlenie dra. Z. I. Tiomkina” [Declaration of Dr. Z. I. Tiomkin], Rassviet, February 14, 1932, 6.

95. “Zaiavlenie I. B. Shekhtmana” [Declaration of J. B. Schechtman], Rassviet, February 21, 1932, 9‒10.

96. A. Recanati, “Le Revisionnisme doit se transformer en mouvement révolutionnaire pour accomplir sa Mission Historique,” El Djidio, Easter 1932, 2‒3.

97. “To the Jewish Public,” undated (early 1930s), 1, JI G2-3/1.

98. V. Jabotinsky, “Public School Boys,” Rassviet, June 26, 1932, 4.

99. V. Jabotinsky, “Public School Boys,” Rassviet, July 3, 1932, 4.

100. V. Jabotinsky, “Public School Boys,” Rassviet, July 10, 1932, 4.

101. Ibid., 5‒6.

102. Letter from T. H. Preston to the British Legation in Riga, November 14, 1930, 2, TNA CO 733/186/3.

103. “The Revisionist Bulletin, no. 18/II,” April 25, 1932, 4, JI G2-6/3.

104. V. Jabotinsky, “Ob otnoshenii k Anglii” [On the Relation with England], Rassviet, May 22, 1932, 2-4.

105. The British Embassy in Warsaw to the Eastern Department at the FO, July 17, 1934, TNA CO 733/266/2.

106. “Referat Grossman (28. August 1932),” 3, JI G2-III/4/7.

107. “Organisationsreferat gehalten von Herrn Meir Grossman auf der V. Weltkonferenz der Union der Zionisten-Revisionisten,” 9, JI G2-III/4/7.

108. “Generaldebatte. Mittwoch den 31. August 1932. Herr Vl. Jabotinsky,” 4‒5, JI G2-III/4/7.

109. R. Lichtheim, “An die Weltkonferenz der Zionisten-Revisionisten,” August 23, 1932, 6, JI P140-4.

110. “Organisationsreferat gehalten von Herrn Meir Grossman auf der V. Weltkonferenz der Union der Zionisten-Revisionisten,” 8, 6, JI G2-III/4/7.

111. J. Schechtman, “Petitsiia” [Petition], Rassviet, June 12, 1932, 3‒4.

112. J. Brutzkus, “Petitsiia” [Petition], Rassviet, July 3, 1932, 7.

113. “Generaldebatte. Dr. Schechtman, Paris,” 1, JI G2-III/4/7.

114. “Decisions of the V^th Revisionist World Conference,” 3, JI G2-III/4/7.

115. “Schlusssitzung. Samstag, dem 3. September,” 19, JI G2-III/4/7.

116. Ibid., 4‒5, 7‒8.

117. Letter from G. R. Warner to O. G. R. Williams, April 22, 1934, 1, TNA CO 733/258/15.

118. H. F. Downie to O. G. R. Williams, February 23, 1934, TNA CO 733/258/15.

119. O. G. R. Williams to G. R. Warner, March 29, 1934, TNA CO 733/258/15.

120. Letter from V. Jabotinsky to P. Cunliffe-Lister, June 16, 1934, 4‒5, TNA CO 733/266/1.

121. “Politicheskie rezoliutsii” [Political Resolutions], Gadegel, October 20, 1935, 5‒6.

122. Heller, The Stern Gang, 35‒36.

123. Letter from V. Jabotinsky to N. Chamberlain, September 4, 1939, TNA CO 733/401/19.

124. “Note of Interview with Mr. Jabotinsky,” September 6, 1939, 3, TNA CO 733/401/19.

125. Minute by H. F. Downie, July 30, 1935, TNA CO 733/283/4.

126. Minute by J. S. Bennett, July 7, 1939, TNA CO 733/401/19.

127. D. Shiels to C. Parkinson, September 7, 1939, TNA CO 733/401/19.

128. Cohen, “Zionism and British Imperialism II: Imperial Financing in Palestine,” 116‒118.

129. Pedersen, “The Impact of League Oversight on British Policy in Palestine,” 44‒46, 49, 62‒64.

130. “Detailed Comments on a Memorandum by Mr. Leonard Stein, ‘The Palestine White Paper of 1930’,” 19, TNA CO 733/183/10.

131. “Cabinet. Policy in Palestine. Minutes of the Third Meeting held in the Secretary of State’s Room at the Foreign Office on December 5^th, 1930, at 3.00 p.m., between Members of the Cabinet and Representatives of the Jewish Organisations,” 13, TNA CO 733/183/10.

132. Letter from V. Jabotinsky to R. Lichtheim (in English), March 20, 1931, Central Zionist Archives, Jerusalem (hereafter CZA) A56/20.

133. Letter from J. de Haas to H. Morrison (in English), October 31, 1929, 2, CZA A405/97.