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Writings of Ida Nasatir

April 10, 1947—Book review—O Whom Palestine? by Frank Gervasi—Southwestern Jewish Press, page 6: Lest the author be suspected of special pleading, he states that he is not a Jew. He is of Italian descent.  He felt impelled to write this book after some six years study of the problem of Palestine. Furthermore, as war correspondent, he says: "I'd seen Jews die alongside Catholics and Protestants...I didn't see any Arabs die in freedom's cause." He had gone to Palestine a pro-Arab in 1939-40. He has weighted the evidence from all angles, and he fines the weight of the evidence preponderantly in favor of the Jewish claims.  Persuasively, the author presents a full and rounded picture of modern Palestine, the nature of the country, its resources, and its peoples.  He exposes the oil and power politics, the British and Arab machinations, and the conniving American interests involved in the Near East—all participating in a dark and ugly game that threatens to frustrate the building of the Jewish National Home. Mr. Gervasi does not overlook any phase of the problem of modern Palestine. While the well-informed Zionist is acquainted with most of what the author writes, he will find his spirit refreshed and rekindled by the warmth and humanity of the author.  In his chapter on "OIL," the author makes crystal clear how much that universally needed fuel plays a decisive part in British-Arab interests in Palestine. Russia, too, is involved in the struggle for mastery of the Near East. He calls upon the Great Powers to solve the Palestine issue with justice, for "Palestine is one of the ways to world peace." He explains the frequent outbreaks of terrorism in the Holy Land. He sketches the personalities of British, Jewish and Arab leaders. He includes the texts of all pertinent documents. He strikes a balance among all these matters, and presents conclusions that are original and worthy of serious attention. Mr. Gervasi, as a Christian, proclaims the responsibility of European Christendom for the Jewish tragedy today. Palestine, he says, speaks  to the conscience of Christians in no uncertain terms. He reminds the nations of the world: "Somewhere we must begin to acquire the habit of keeping our promises." How pathetically true.