Massignon and Zionism
In 1916, facing the probable capitulation of the Central Powers, Louis Massignon participates in French-British negotiations reflecting on the future division of the Ottoman Empire.In this context, Massignon is looking to find a position toward the Zionist question which, for him, is first and forem...
محفوظ في:
| الحاوية / القاعدة: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/bcrfj, |
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| المؤلف الرئيسي: | |
| التنسيق: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| اللغة: | Anglais |
| منشور في: |
Bulletin du Centre de recherche français à Jérusalem
2010
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| الموضوعات: | |
| الوصول للمادة أونلاين: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| الملخص: | In 1916, facing the probable capitulation of the Central Powers, Louis Massignon participates in French-British negotiations reflecting on the future division of the Ottoman Empire.In this context, Massignon is looking to find a position toward the Zionist question which, for him, is first and foremost a near-east policy issue.Under the influence of Aaron Aaronsohn, the islamologist first expresses an enthusiastic friendliness toward the pioneers of Eretz Israel, in light of their agricultural accomplishments, making him wish for the successful establishment of the national Jewish Homeland in Palestine. In particular, his commitment will prompt him to write, together with Maritain, a “report on Zionism” to Pius XI in 1925, with the objective of gaining support from the Holy See for Jews converted to Catholicism who sought to participate to the common work of the resurrection of Israel.However, the colonizing methods and conspicuous atheism of many Zionist leaders, going against the religious convictions of indigenous Christian and Muslim Arabs, will progressively push Massignon to a complete reversal, resulting in “excessive language” toward Jews.Massignon considers that it is impossible to separate time from spirituality in the Holy Land, and that facts must be enlightened by events transpiring throughout religious history from the time of Abraham, “first hero of hospitality”. To Massignon, coming to the realisation of the purity of Mary seems necessary to Jewish recognition in the spirit of the Patriarch, even more, a precondition to any possible peace. He sees in the Immaculate Conception the “marial rallying sign” of various confessions of the Abrahamic family. |
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