Abraham Mitrie Rihbany

America Save the Near East Abraham Mitrie Rihbany

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1918. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... Chapter VII THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT THERE are few issues--aside from the main phases of the conflict itself -- which the present war has created or made more prominent, that are more interesting to the world than the Zionist movement. Begun many years before, this movement has received an impetus during the war which has made interest in it, in both Jewry and Christendom, intense and very wide-spread. The proponents of Zionism among the Jews consider the vast and radical changes which the present conflict is effecting in the lives of the various nations as favorable to the consummation of Zionist hopes. The world is being refashioned. The majority of the great and enlightened nations claim to be fighting for the freedom of all peoples. Never before was the heart of the world so responsive to the cry of the oppressed as it is now. All signs, also, point to the permanent separation from Turkey of her Near Eastern provinces. Palestine has already fallen to the British. Zion has been delivered from Turkish bondage. Is not the time, therefore, very opportune for the friends of Zionism to press its claims with greater vigor than ever before, and secure, if possible, the coveted land of Palestine as a free and permanent home for Jewish nationalism? So it must seem to the ardent supporters of this Jewish movement, and their hopes cannot be pronounced elusive. Christendom, also, is deeply interested in the Zionists' expectations. This interest springs not necessarily from the Christians' love for the Jews, for hatred for the Jew has been one of Christendom's gravest offences against God and humanity. Christian interest in the Zionist movement comes chiefly from the fact that there are millions of Christians who believe that Christ's kingdom will not come upon the earth unti...