Einstein's letter to Nehru on formation of Israel.

The best ever had happened to Jewish people that is was the formation of Israel. Jews at last had sacred sanctuary. The formation of Israel gave jews a chance to live amidst their endless struggle of survival. But that luxury was not that easy to afford as we know the price of freedom that is esteem. 

Who could understand that cost than Indians. 

Counting on that which was sentimental for freedom Abert Einstein wrote a letter on 13th June, 1947 to then Prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. 

Image Courtesy: Wikipedia

The letter starts with the phrase, "For abolition of  Untochability by the constituent assembly", Einstein also admires Nehru and Gandhi for playing a part in India's freedom struggle. But the main focus was to convince Nehru to support, "Zionist effort to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine".  

Note here a man of science that is best appeal Nehru's ethics and morals. The letter was nothing but a plea from one of the greatest mind  to one of the greatest power. 

Einstein's appeal to Nehru,

      "I should like to discuss the only problem with you, the ethical issues involved

        in the Zionist effort to recreate the Jewish homeland in Palestine.

       The Jewish survivors demand the proper to dwell amid brothers, on the soil of 

        their fathers. Can Jewish need, regardless of how acute, be met without the 

         Infringement of the vital rights of the other?. 

          My answer is in the affirmative". 

The Balfour declaration, promised the Jewish peoples land of their own, but the majority population in this region was native Arabs and Albert Einstein was mindful of that. He still acknowledges the concerns of local Arabs. Knewing Jewish people facing prosecution and discrimination by Arabs, Albert Einstein still considered the demands for prosperity and equality in that region. 

However, he mentions it has, "The soil of their fathers", he was adamant of creation of the Jewish state.

For this, Nehru replied as politically as equal. He did acknowledge the need of the homeland for Jewish people, but this always apart. 

Nehru's reply,

"I need to assure you, therefore, of our deepest sympathy for the Jews and for

all they have undergone during these past years. If we can help them in any way.

I hope and trust that India won't merely stand by and appearance on. As you 

know national policies are, Unfortunately, essentially selfish policies. 

Each country thinks of its own interests. if it so happens that' some internationally

policy fits in with the national policy of the country, then that nation uses a brave

language about international betterment. But as soon as that international 

policy seems to run counter to national interests as a selfishness, then 

a host of reasons are found not to follow the international policy".

That was a Nehur's response, What is selfishness really he means? All international relations and policies are based on profits. Nehru was aware of the Jewish past, but he was worried about Palestine too.

He claimed more towards to the Bi-national Arab-Jewish Palestine. 

On 29th November 1947, The United Nations general assembly voted on the modified partition plan. 3 nations voted in the favor of Israel and 13 nations voted against it. It is well known that India, voted against the partition plan of Palestine.

The reasons could be more than what Nehru mentioned in his letter, India had a significant number of Muslims of even that time. Those Muslims sided with Arabs. Jawaharlal Nehru doesn't want to anger the Muslims at home, he thought of playing it safe. 

Albert Einstein understood Jawaharlal Nehru's reasons very well. Later, they became friends. They both shared a series of letters later on. 

And in one of those letters Einstein even praised the books written by Jawaharlal Nehru. 

On his trip to the U.S.A, Jawaharlal Nehru met Albert Einstein on 5th November 1949.

It is quite evident Nehru was quietly influenced by Einstein. At last, India officially recognized the state of Israel on 17 September, 1950.