1. The Mission of Betar
The aim of Betar is simply stated:
to create that type of Jew which the nation needs in order better and more
quickly to build a Jewish State. In other words, to create a "normal,"
healthy citizen for the Jewish nation...
2. The Jewish State
The basis of the Betarian viewpoint
consists of one idea: the Jewish State...
3. A Jewish Majority in Palestine
...The first step in Zionism
consists of this, but it does not follow that it is the last step in Zionism.
After attaining a majority in Palestine and being enabled to govern upon
broadly-democratic principles, we will have before us an even more important
task: Shivath-Zion (The Return to Zion). By this we mean the creation of
conditions which would enable every Jew who is unwilling or unable to live
in the Diaspora to settle in the Jewish State and earn his or her livelihood
there...
4. Monism
...The one concept which is
the pride of Betar, and which differentiates it from all other youth movements
in Jewry, is Monism. Betar signifies a generation that dedicates its life
to the sole ideal of a Jewish State, without recognizing any other ideals.
It is does not follow from this
that a Betari must be blind to the importance, or even greatness, inherent
in other ideals for betterment and reform, which now inspire the masses
of humanity; on the contrary the Betari must be open-eyed, clear-minded
and generous of heart.
...One should remember that
one may have many ideas and respect them highly, but one can have only
one ideal...
5. Class-Struggle
Nobody denies that even in Palestine
the individual interests of the worker are unlike those of his employer:
the former wants to earn more, the latter to pay less -- as in any other
country. ...[But I]n Palestine, higher and mightier than class interests,
the common interest of rebuilding the Jewish State rules supreme. Consequently,
there should be no talk of class-war, a system, the harmful tendency of
which, is manifested when one side threatens the other by means of strikes
or lockouts...
Since the strongest of the labour
organizations in Palestine, the "Histadruth Haovdim," does not recognize
these principles but insists upon the class-struggle viewpoint, the Betarim-workers
in Palestine do not join the Histadruth and cannot therefore, find employment
through its labour bureaus.
6. The Legionist
The Betar is steadfast concerning
Legionism: it demands of its members as well as of the Jewish youth generally
that they fully train in the technique of utilizing firearms, and that
they be ready always to answer personally the call to self-defense, or
if needed, to a new Jewish Army.
7. The Hebrew Language
Betar recognizes Hebrew as the
only and eternal language of the Jewish peoeple. In Palestine it must become
the language in all phases of life; in the Diaspora it must, at least,
be the language of the Jewish educational system, starting with the kindergarten
and ending with high school (later on perhaps with college life too --
if we shall ever have Jewish universities in the Diaspora)...
We have utmost repect for the
other languages which are utilitzed by our people... A national language,
however, is something different and by far greater... A national language
is one which is born, simultaneously with a nation, and then accompanies
the latter in one form or another, throughout its entire life. Such to
us is Hebrew.
8. Betarian Discipline
The building of Betar is founded
upon the principles of discipline. Our aim is (an aim which as yet is hardly
achieved) to make Betar such a world organism that it will be able simultaneously
to move tens of thousands of hands in the cities of all countries...
For it is the highest achievement
of a mass of free men, if they are capable to act in unison, with the absolute
precision of a machine. Only free, cultured people can do so... No young
man or woman is forced to enter the Betar ranks and remain there; it is
his own free will which makes him recognize as the first characteristic
of mankind the ability to unite one's individuality with that of others
for the sake of the common goal.
The growth of Betar and its
conception of discipline form a happy and healthy union between freedom
on one hand, and monistic harmony on the other.
9. Hadar Betari
"Hadar" is a Hebrew word which
is with difficulty translated into another language; it combines various
conceptions such as outward beauty, respect, self-esteem, politeness, faithfulness.
The only suitable "translation" into the "language" of real life must be
the Betari -- in his or her dealings, actions, speech and thought...
Each one of us recognizes the
fact that we behave differently toward a person whose every word denotes
them as a person of dignity, no matter how poorly they are dressed. Were
all Jews to act properly, the antisemites probably would hate us anyhow
but it would be a hate mixed with respect, and our situation in the world
would have been quite different than it is.
...You must be generous, if
no question of principle is involved. Every word of yours must be a "word
of honour," and the latter is mightier than steel...
10. The Principle of Mobilization
The word "giyus" (mobilization)
is definable thus: first and most important is the mobilization of a new
Jewish army at the oppurtune time. The second mobilization signifies permanence,
and it refers to every Betari who settles in Palestine...
This principle is extraordinarily
important. Nowadays, the "Aliah" to Palestine has become a very usual thing
indeed, and even non-Zionists are desirous to "escape" to Palestine, though
they may not be interested in the national idea. At times, the difference
between the conception of "pioneer" and "refugee" is hardly discernible.
We must not allow it in Betar. To us "Aliah" must remain "aliah" indeed:
an action which should posess an element of effort, of accomplishment,
of sacrifice for the national welfare, not merely a matter for personal
betterment...