The Legion
The Betar is steadfast concerning Legionism: it demands of its members as well of the Jewish
youth generally that they fully train in the technique of utilizing firearms, and that they be in
readiness always to answer personally the call of self-defense or, time being opportune, of a new
Jewish army. The Betar holds that a pioneer who did not prepare himself for this task is useless
and unsuitable for Palestine and "Hachshara -a-garin" (military training) is the first and most
important of all other requisites.
Our rivals call this "militarism". We should not be afraid, however, of a Latin word. There was a time when the first Zionists too were threatened with Latinism: nationalism..... But those first
Zionists too were undaunted and answered: There are two sorts of nationalism: If a nation dwells
in its country but also desires to annex the land of its neighbors - that is bad nationalism. On the
other hand, when a nation is entirely homeless and demands for itself a portion of G-d's earth, it
is a good nationalism about with there is nothing to be ashamed of. The same applies to
"Militarism". If a power, unharmed by anybody, begins to arm in order to attack its peaceful
neighbors, it is a bad militarism. In, however, the case of Jews, who are being beaten
everywhere, and even in Palestine are being threatened with destruction - it is certainly proof of
good nationalism to arm for the defense of our lives, property and future. We may then well be
proud of it. Every great colonization in history, has always entailed a revolt of the natives.
Palestine is no exception to the rule. One who thinks that the Arabs are right to oppose Zionism, may as well reject entirely the idea of colonizing Palestine. But he who holds that the Jewish people has a sacred right in its historic homeland, and that the opposition of the Arabs (a people of only about 40 millions which possesses a territory as large as a half of Europe) is unjustified—he should draw the logical conclusion, and in accordance with his conviction aid in the creation of that iron wall, which will make destruction impossible.