Albert Einstein's Attitude to Zionism

World renowned physicist Albert Einstein was enthusiastic in his support of Jewish settlement in Palestine. In 1929 he described Zionist settlers as "young pioneers, men and women of magnificent intellectual and moral calibre, breaking stones and building roads under the blazing rays of the Palestinian sun……..the flourishing agricultural settlements shooting up from the long-deserted soil... the development of water power…….industry…….and, above all, the growth of an educational system ... What observer... can fail to be seized by the magic of such amazing achievement and of such almost superhuman devotion?"

Writing in the Jewish Echo in November 1934 he described Zionist leaders as “a group of far-sighted men, among whom the unforgettable [Theodor] Herzl stood out above the rest”.  We are seeing he said “the idea of Zionism and the work of settlement in Palestine the successful realisation of which we have been permitted to witness, at least in its highly promising beginnings”

However speaking in 1938 he said he opposed “the idea of a Jewish with borders and an army”. When questioned on Palestine he said “Jewish national home? Yes. Jewish national Palestine? No…..I favour a free, bi-national Palestine at a later date after agreement with the Arabs…I am against partition”  In January 1946 speaking at the Anglo-American Commission of Inquiry on Palestine he said “I have never been for a Jewish state. It is an old fashioned, anachronistic idea” adding “Europe is really ill of nationalisms”. Albert Einstein's attitude to zionism can be summed up by Diana Kormos-Buchwald, director of the Einstein Papers Project says that “Einstein was what we often call a cultural Zionist”

While Zionist leaders were openly talking of the expulsion of Palestines Arab population Einstein spoke of cooperation with the Arabs. In the same Jewish Echo article he wrote “We - that is to say the Arabs and ourselves - have got to agree on the main outlines of an advantageous partnership which shall satisfy the needs of both nations. A just solution of this problem and one worthy of both nations is an end no less important and no less worthy of our efforts than the promotion of the work of construction itself….The object which the leaders of Zionism have put before their eyes is not a political but a social and cultural one…a spiritual centre for the Jews of the whole world….for us Jews Palestine is not just a charitable or colonial enterprise”

According to Jewish World as early as 1930 Einstein had proposed “a secret council of Jews and Arabs consisting of four representatives  of each side and independent of any political body” The Jewish world went on to say that “At present there is an unfortunate state of tension [in Palestine]. It is a piece of good fortune to have Professor Einstein’s name attached to the proposal, which otherwise might be open to suspicion”

In 1952 Israels prime minister David Ben-Gurion offered the presidency of Israel to Einstein. He refused the offer saying “I am moved to the depths of my heart by this offer, but I believe I am not fit for this role”. However he also said  that as President “I would have to say to the Israeli people things they would not like to hear.” After making the offer Ben-Gurion said “Tell me what to do if he says yes! I’ve had to offer him the post because it was impossible not to, but if he accepts we are in for trouble.”

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Einstein signed a letter opposing the visit of Menachem Begin to the USA, Begin was the leader of the Herut or Freedom Party. The letter states that Herut is “a political party closely akin in its organisation, methods, political philosophy and social appeal to the Nazi and Fascist parties” which preaches “ultra nationalism, religious mysticism and racial superiority”. After merging with other right-wing parties in 1988, Herut became the Likud party now headed by Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Lehi (amongst other groups) carried out the massacre of civilians at Deir Yassin, Einstein wrote the following letter to Shepard Rifkin an American Zionist and supporter of the Lehi. Rifkin had previously written to Einstein hoping to get his support for the Lehi.