Zionism and the future of Palestine; The fallacies and dangers of political Zionism – by Morris Jastrow, published by Macmillan Company, New York 1919 – First Edition. Extremely rare.
In his book, Jastrow critiques Political Zionism, which was gaining momentum following the Balfour Declaration in 1917. Jastrow argues that Political Zionism, with its goal of establishing a Jewish state in Palestine, is a dangerous and misguided idea, both for the Jewish people and for the non-Jewish populations living in Palestine. He expresses concerns about potential inter-communal conflict and warns that the establishment of a Jewish state might lead to disputes with the local Arab population, potentially damaging international relations and regional peace. Furthermore, he argues that Political Zionism could harm the status of Jews in the diaspora, particularly in the United States and Europe, by creating dual loyalties and provoking antisemitism.
Jastrow suggests that Jews should continue to work to improve their situation in the diaspora rather than attempting to establish a separate state, advocating for their integration into the countries where they live.
The book was written during a period when Political Zionism was gaining traction, especially after the Balfour Declaration of 1917, which promised the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. Jastrow was among the critics of this movement, and the book reflects the concerns of many Jews, particularly in the United States, regarding its implications.
Morris Jastrow [1861-1921] was a Jewish-American scholar, orientalist, and one of the foremost researchers of the ancient Near East in the early 20th century. He was a professor of Semitic languages and the history of religions at the University of Pennsylvania. He was best known for his work in the field of Semitic languages and his research on the ancient cultures of Mesopotamia. Jastrow was part of a broader movement of Jews who opposed Political Zionism for various reasons, whether out of loyalty to their countries or out of concern that the idea of a Jewish state would harm the status of Jews worldwide.
Extremely rare. Only one copy is listed in the WorldCat global library catalog.
XIX, 159 pages. Very good condition.
