From the beginning, modern Zionism contained two basic tendencies that were opposed to each other in the most thoroughgoing way—an internal contradiction that reaches to the depths of human existence. For a long time this contradiction was not felt except in the realm of ideas. However, since the political situation has grown increasingly concrete and the need for decisive action has arisen alongside it, the internal contradiction has become more and more real, until, in recent years, it has attained shocking actuality.