Had-Nes
This is the basis upon which is founded the entire Betarian viewpoint of building a Jewish state. It means the creation of a state comprising a Jewish majority on both sides of the Jordan. The
special pride of Betar, which differentiates it from all other youth movements, in Jewry, is
Monism, Had-Nes. Betar signifies a generation that dedicates its life to the sole idea of a Jewish
State, without recognizing any other ideals.
Of course it does not follow that a Betari must be blind in regard to the importance or even
greatness inherent in other ideals for betterment and reform which now inspire masses of
humanity on the contrary - the Betari must be open-eyed, clear minded and generous of heart. A
Betari must be able to deal fairly and respectfully with all honest aspirations of his fellow men
- especially because the best of these are derived from Jewish sources. Pacifism, for instance, and
above all the war for social justice have their mainspring in the Bible. We also hope for a time to
come when the Jewish state will show the world the right way of both eternal peace and social
justice. First of all, however, the Jewish nation must build its state, this undertaking is so
complicated and difficult that it demands the full strength of an entire generation, perhaps
even more than one generation. Jewish youth must, therefore, devote itself completely to this
sole task; all other ideas, though they be beautiful and humane, should influence us only in so far
as they do not hinder the rebuilding of a Jewish state. When one of these ideas becomes, even if
indirectly, an obstacle on the road to a Jewish state, it must be mercilessly sacrificed in favor of
the one ideal. One should remember that one may have many ideas and respect them highly, but
one can only have one ideal. To this ideal all other ideas must bow, and near it there should not
and cannot exist a second ideal, for two ideals are as absurd as two gods; one can worship only
one G-d and only one ideal. Everything else one may like is, and must, remain secondary
importance.
As already stated, this is the one fundamental which distinguishes the Betar from all other
Zionist Youth movements. The latter have the characteristic tendency to "co-ordinate" two ideals
like Zionism and Socialism serving both simultaneously. As a result, there is a confusion which
renders impossible a clear-cut relationship toward Zionism and the Jewish state. Being Zionists,
they are gladdened at the fact that private capital aids the foundation of new enterprises and
increases Jewish immigration; being also Socialists, however, they consider such businesses a
plain result of exploitation. The outcome of such an adulteration of conceptions is that neither
here nor there are they correct. In reference to Zionism, they are prohibited to use such
expressions as "Jewish State" or "Jewish Majority", for this would mean encouragement for the
Capitalist settlers too, without whom there can be no large "aliyah" (inflow) of workers. As far as
Socialism is concerned, these young people are being jeered at by the "pure", non-Zionist
Socialists, who keep on reminding the Zionists that their actions are contradictory to the
Proletarian principles. Consequently, we are witnessing the fact that many tire of such confusion
and throw the Zionist ideal overboard; for two ideals cannot dwell together and one or another
must eventually give way and disappear.
This admixture of various ideals which Betar absolutely rejects we may call biblically,
"schaatnez", the euphonistic stand of Betar may be termed in Hebrew "Had-Ness" (One Banner).
Betar has not bent asunder souls, a breach caused by two equally valued aspirations. Everything
which disturbs the upbuilding of the Jewish state, whether in connection which private interests
or with a group or class must, without pre-conditions, bow to the one banner, to the command of
the highest, the supreme ideal: to the Jewish State.