Emil CIORAN analyzes the oppositions between the Jewish and Arab peoples.

Emil CIORAN

Autograph letter signed to Gabriel Matzneff.

A ½ in-4° page.

Paris. November 4, 1971.

“Zionism is much more than a mistake, it is a tragic adventure, a contemporary variety of an ancient curse.”

The philosopher gives his point of view on the oppositions between the Jewish and Arab peoples after reading his correspondent's work, The Arab Notebook.

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“Dear Sir, I was very pleased to see that you like Byron (the character rather than the poet) and that you have the courage – today! – to defend Cicero, whom I also like, and whose “ lack of character ” seems very modern to me. I, like you, have studied Roman historians extensively, Tacitus especially, and I subscribe to Hume’s judgment that he is “ the most profound mind of Antiquity .” Your book [The Arab Notebook] greatly interested me, but I regret that you took sides. I agree with you whenever you seem divided, indecisive, torn.

The pages that most struck me are those in which a certain sympathy for the Jews emerges. Their case seems to me incomparably more complex, more pathetic than that of the Arabs. Zionism is much more than a mistake; it is a tragic adventure, a contemporary version of an ancient curse. One cannot be indifferent to it.

It must also be added that all these Arab peoples would have completely collapsed without the salutary humiliation that Israel inflicted on them. Perhaps even its mission was only to awaken them and then suffer the consequences of this awakening. Wherever they are, the destiny of the Jews is to be defeated and to survive their defeat. Soloviev's prediction still remains true: you probably know that on his deathbed his last prayer was said for the Jews, because, he specifies, of the great suffering that awaits them. Perhaps we could talk about these things someday soon? Sincerely, Cioran.