The ‘kernel of Zionism’

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Kooky conspiracy theories about Zionism are as old as Zionism itself.

Take this, from a Soviet agent as he interrogated Menachem Begin in the early 1940s:

‘Zionism in all its forms is a farce and a deception, a puppet show. It’s not true that you aim to set up a Jewish state in Palestine, or that you intend to bring millions of Jews there. Both these aims are utterly impracticable and the Zionist leaders are perfectly well aware of it.

‘This talk of a “state” conceals the true purpose of Zionism – which is to divert the Jewish youth from the ranks of the revolution in Europe and put them at the disposal of British Imperialism in the Middle East. That’s the kernel of Zionism. All the rest is an artificial shell, deliberately made to deceive.’

Lunacy!

Next month I am returning to Israel for my fifth visit. I am going to visit the resting place of Menachem Begin, my favourite Israeli leader.