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KAHANE, MEIR 1932-1990

RABBI ZIONIST, AND FOUNDER OF JDL

Radical

Rabbi Meir Kahane was obsessed with what he believed to be rampant anti-Semitism in America and abroad. He chose to be always on the offensive, attacking his enemies, allies, or fellow Jews if they disagreed with his tactics. He founded the Jewish Defense League, or JDL, in the late 1960s for the specific purpose of defending American Jews from any form of persecution—real or perceived. He popularized the post-Holocaust slogan "Never Again," vowing that Jews would from this point forward always be prepared. Kahane's extremist views were well beyond the mainstream; he was seen as fanatic by most. In the 1970s after being in trouble with the law in the United States, he turned his attention toward Israel, where his ultra-Zionist views and actions brought him worldwide attention. His entrance into Israeli politics and his racist position toward Arabs added fire and tension to an already volatile situation in a sensitive part of the world.

Background

Kahane was born in Brooklyn, New York, on 1 August 1932, into a distinguished heritage of Jewish rabbis. His great-grandfather had been a rabbi in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and his grandfather and father were rabbis in Palestine. As a child Kahane was prone to getting into trouble in his Flatbush neighbor-hood, but he turned his zeal toward sports and excelled. Until the age of twenty-five Kahane used his birth name, Martin David, but in 1957, when he was ordained an Orthodox rabbi, he changed his name to Meir. Kahane also studied at Brooklyn College, earning a master's degree in international law and international relations. He later received an LL.B. degree from New York Law School but failed to pass the state bar examination. Serving as a rabbi in a small synagogue in Queens, Kahane was expelled from his post because of his Zionist rhetoric and controversial statements. He remained determined in his pursuits and began writing about them in such periodicals as the Jewish Press, where he later became an editor.

FBI

In the late 1950s to early 1960s Kahane led a life of secrecy. His strong anti-Communist views landed him a position as a consultant with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). His assignment was to infiltrate the right-wing John Birch Society and report his findings back to the FBI. For this position Kahane took on the false name Michael King and spent nearly two and a half years posing as a Christian, learning all he could about the John Birch Society. Once his assignment was completed, Kahane retained his double-life status as King, becoming increasingly involved with other government agencies, such as the CIA, Pentagon, and the Comtelpro project. Upon ending his contract with the federal government, Kahane went on to become the director of the Center for Political Studies, a private research organization, and then to writing a book with an associate titled The Jewish Stake in Vietnam (1967). When the work was completed, Kahane left Washington, D.C., and returned to New York.

Jewish Defense League

Created out of the tensions that arose because of the Six-Day War and inner-city urban fears, the Jewish Defense League was formed in July 1968. The organization's goals were, according to its charter, "to combat anti-Semitism in the public and private sectors of life in the United States of America; to support all agencies of government charged with the responsibility of maintaining law and order…and to safe-guard and transmit to posterity the principles of justice, freedom and democracy." Officially Kahane headed the group and pushed the ideas of Jewish pride, self-defense, and political power. The organization's base was located primarily in Jewish neighborhoods of New York. Pride soon turned to violence as the JDL's urban street patrols acted as vigilantes in their quest to root out anti-Semitism. Many moderate Jews saw Kahane's tactics as bordering on terrorism and thuggery, but the JDL appealed to militant youths looking for direction and respect. In order to enlarge its base of support the JDL began to focus on the issue of Soviet Jews by 1970. Kahane and his followers protested vehemently and violently against the Soviet Union. Eventually Kahane and other JDL members were arrested on illegal weapons charges and bomb possession in 1971. Police also suspected Kahane's involvement in a series of previous bombings that had taken place at Soviet installations. Kahane denied all charges but was sentenced on 23 July 1971 to five years' imprisonment (suspended) and a $5,000 fine. These events and court trial did not mellow Kahane's rhetoric but did hasten his departure from the United States.

Israel

With the move to Israel Kahane found a new enemy to attack Arabs. Initially welcomed in Israel, Kahane's inflammatory statements proved too militant for many Israelis. In 1973 he decided to run for political office in the Knessett, Israel's parliament, and formed the reactionary Kach Party. He lost this election and lost again in 1977 and 1981, but in 1984 Kahane won a seat in the Knessett. His triumph was deemed a sign of the growing tensions between Arabs and Jews. Terrorism and violence had become rampant in the West Bank; the PLO had grown substantially; and Jews began to wonder if Israel could continue to exist under a veil of uncertainty. Kahane fed off this anger and fear of conflict. His agenda was to rid Israel of its Arab influence, and with his newfound power he was in a position possibly to make his dreams a reality. His Kach Party was antidemocratic but pushed a populist, nationalist message of hatred and an "eye for an eye."

Racism

In assessing the life of Kahane words such as racist and fascist often come to mind. Many Israeli politicians condemned him outright for his ultraright-wing views toward Arabs. The Kach Party was eventually banned in 1988 for its "Nazi-like" stances. Kahane's support came primarily from the poor in Israel, the young, and the military. He decried the left and moderates for their weak positions toward Arabs. They were, in his opinion, Israel's biggest problem and had to be dealt with swiftly if the nation was to survive. Israel to him was God's gift, and he swore that he would protect it unto his death. Kahane was assassinated in New York on 5 November 1990, by an American of Egyptian descent. His legacy of hatred and defiance continued to shape Arab-Israeli relations well past his death.