The reactionary, imperialist aims of Zionism in Palestine mean a reactionary, imperialist role in Poland. Avram Karolsky explains.

‘The Counter-Revolutionary Role of Zionism’ by Avram Karolsky from The Workers Monthly. Vol. 4 No. 12. October, 1925.

IN spite of its reactionary and utopian character, Zionism, up to the time of the world war, did not constitute any particular danger to the working class. It was only during, and particularly after the war that Zionism came forward openly upon the world stage as the trusty weapon of reaction. Nevertheless, already before the war revolutionary Marxism exposed Zionism and exposed it as a specifically Jewish variety of the darkest reaction.

The world war opened up wider perspectives for the “creative positive” work of Zionism. The international band of robbers, in the process of “liberation” and the fight for the freedom of small nations, did not forget the children of Israel. Albion entered the lists as the knight errant of the “honest defenders” of the suppressed and persecuted. Even during the world war England, through the mouth of Lord Balfour, promised to set up a national home for the Jews in Palestine. But the real aims of England in pursuing this Jewish policy were disclosed a few years ago by Winston Churchill at an interview:

“Among the Jews of the present day there are three tendencies: Zionism, Conservatism and Bolshevism. England desires to make use of the first of these tendencies in order to be the better able to deal with the other two.”

Relentlessly and regardless of all obstacles, England is realizing this plan formulated by Churchill. Under the cloak of the “Home for the Jews” in Palestine and with the help of the Zionists, England in the last seven years has created a powerful strategical and politico-economic basis for her hegemony and for the enslavement of the awakening Near East. Right in the midst of the enslaved Arabian tribes, England has placed her watch dog who keeps careful watch over its mistress’ property. And thus in the Near East Zionism represents a synonym of English imperialism, of the enslavement and suppression of the national liberation movement of the Arabs. There the struggle is already raging along the whole line.

BUT it is not only in the Near East that Zionism is acting as the outpost of world reaction

During the present year Zionism, at the command of London, has also been carrying on its “benevolent” activity n Central Europe. Zionism is being converted into one of the many t s with the help of which England is consolidating her hegemony upon the Continent English policy in Europe pursuing two main aims:

1. To undermine French hegemony upon the Continent (by depriving France of her vassals by means of financial pressure.)

2. To set up a united political-economic front against the Union of Soviet Republics. (By drawing Germany and the Little Entente into the orbit of English policy)

Such an important plan cannot be realized all at once. But the whole powerful diplomatic apparatus of England is working in this direction. In the first six months of 1925 the influence of England greatly increased in the Balkan countries and in the Baltic States. It is now the turn of Poland. The difficulties confronted here are the antagonisms between Poland and Germany (the question of the corridor, of the frontiers, etc.) And here, again. London is taking the initiative in bringing about a “reconciliation” (the abolition of the corridor and the creation of a passage to the sea at the cost of Lithuania, which, as a recompense, could receive Vilna).

In order to consolidate and extend her position in Poland, England is again seeking to make use of the Zionists. She is pressing for Polish-Jewish “reconciliation.” Today we are faced with the fact of the complete agreement of the Jewish plutocracy and bourgeoisie—in the shape of their political advance guard, of Zionism, with Poland, the classic land of anti-Jewish pogroms.

Zionism is for the second time showing to the world its true features: as the obedient tool of English imperialism in the forging of the counter-revolutionary chain for the broad masses of the people.

The Polish-Jewish compromise had the following concrete results:

1. The breaking through of the common front of all the national minorities (Ukrainians, white Russians, Latvians and Germans) in the fight against Polish imperialism, and unconditional defense of the existing state of affairs.

2. Political strengthening of the English position in Poland.

3. As a result, the prevention of the intended rapprochement to Russia on the part of Poland.

4. Formation of a bloc with the Polish reaction, strengthening (both inside and outside of parliament) of the reactionary policy of the Polish nobles.

5. Strengthening of the international political and financial position of Poland by active participation in obtaining loans for the Polish government.

The delegates to the International Zionist Congress in Vienna arranged a triumphal reception for the representative of the Polish government. This at a time when the persecution of the poor Jews in Poland is in full swing, at a time when the Jewish workers are being thrown out of the State factories in masses, at a time when the legal inequality of the Jews has not been lessened in a single department of social life. In return for a few crumbs from the lordly table (concessions to traders and employers), the Zionists have. under pressure from London, absolutely changed their attitude towards the Polish reaction.

The Zionist press in America welcomed Count Skrzynski in the most charming manner and facilitated his effort to obtain a loan. One of these journals wrote:

“Count Skrzynski has buried the hatchet between the Jews and the Polish government and is striving for a friendly co-operation between the Jews and the Poles.”

Following the example of Massaryk, who recently in his book, “The World Revolution” set forth in detail how greatly his coquetting with the Jewish plutocracy has helped him to obtain his political successes, Count Skrzynski wrote an affectionate letter to the Zionist leader N. Sokolov, in which he, “in the name of the Polish government, assured him of the highest sympathy for Zionism.” The Polish government is jubilant because it has for many years “supported” Zionism, and it would eagerly welcome the Zionist “solution” of the Jewish question, namely, the driving of the masses of the poor Jews to Palestine.

That is not all. The Zionists, in triumphing over the Jewish-Polish reconciliation, which has been brought about by their slavish attitude towards England and Poland, are kindling the flames of anti-semitism among the Ukrainian and White Russian peoples. Thanks to the treachery of the Zionists, the nationalists among these peoples are now conducting a campaign not only against the Zionists but against the Jews in general.

The poor Jews have to bear the consequences of the shameful acts of the Zionists. The Zionists, in issuing despicable declarations to the effect that they will defend the present frontiers of Poland, are acting just like cynical business people. Their leader, Dr. Ton, declared:

“We Jews (that is the business people. K.) are interested in the country having extensive frontiers, in order to widen the field of activity for commerce and economic development.”

True disciples of Chamberlain!

Zionism is slavishly carrying out the work of world reaction. But it is not identical with the Jewish working class and with the Jewish poor. In spite of such figures as Dr. Ton, Sokolov, etc., there are rising from the masses of the Jewish people heroic champions as Friedmann in Bulgaria, Botwin in Poland and thousands of others who are fighting under the red flag of the Comintern.

The Workers Monthly began publishing in 1924 as a merger of the ‘Liberator’, the Trade Union Educational League magazine ‘Labor Herald’, and Friends of Soviet Russia’s monthly ‘Soviet Russia Pictorial’ as an explicitly Party publication. In 1927 Workers Monthly ceased and the Communist Party began publishing The Communist as its theoretical magazine. Editors included Earl Browder and Max Bedacht as the magazine continued the Liberator’s use of graphics and art.

PDF of full issue: https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/culture/pubs/wm/1925/v4n12-oct-1925.pdf