Iron Wall (essay)
Encyclopedia
The Iron Wall is an essay written by Ze'ev Jabotinsky in 1923. It was originally published in Russian
, the language in which Jabotinsky wrote for the Russian press.
He wrote the essay after the British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill
prohibited Zionist settlement on the east bank of the Jordan River, and formed the Zionist Revisionist party after writing it.
Jabotinsky argued that the Palestinians would not agree to a Jewish majority in Israel
, and that Israel could only succeed by virtue of military security. The only solution to achieve peace, he argued, would be for Jews to unilaterally decide its borders and defend them with the strongest security possible.
Modern commentators from both sides of the conflict have noted his essay for its prescience, and have drawn parallels between the metaphorical "Iron Wall" and the physical West Bank wall
which now exists.
Russian language
Russian is a Slavic language used primarily in Russia, Belarus, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. It is an unofficial but widely spoken language in Ukraine, Moldova, Latvia, Turkmenistan and Estonia and, to a lesser extent, the other countries that were once constituent republics...
, the language in which Jabotinsky wrote for the Russian press.
He wrote the essay after the British Colonial Secretary Winston Churchill
Winston Churchill
Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, was a predominantly Conservative British politician and statesman known for his leadership of the United Kingdom during the Second World War. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest wartime leaders of the century and served as Prime Minister twice...
prohibited Zionist settlement on the east bank of the Jordan River, and formed the Zionist Revisionist party after writing it.
Jabotinsky argued that the Palestinians would not agree to a Jewish majority in Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, and that Israel could only succeed by virtue of military security. The only solution to achieve peace, he argued, would be for Jews to unilaterally decide its borders and defend them with the strongest security possible.
Modern commentators from both sides of the conflict have noted his essay for its prescience, and have drawn parallels between the metaphorical "Iron Wall" and the physical West Bank wall
Israeli West Bank barrier
The Israeli West Bank barrier is a separation barrier being constructed by the State of Israel along and within the West Bank. Upon completion, the barrier’s total length will be approximately...
which now exists.
External links
- "The Iron Wall" - full essay available from WikiSource