The Shield: a novel (44 page)

“
How do you propose improving the American’s position in this war without our direct involvement?”

“
We will have to be involved, but not in the sense of using our forces to fight. There are points in history where a small push can send everything on a different path. We have identified several balance points in the Japanese attack on the U.S.  This is what I propose …” The group listened attentively.

“
Thank you. I am sure we all appreciate your analysis.

“
Ms. Katz,” the Prime Minister addressed the psychologist, “I take it that you disagree with something the head of the Mossad said?”

“
I do,” Mina Katz smiled at the Mossad chief. “We discussed this issue before and we still disagree. I think that the Mossad’s estimate of a 10 year lead-time on the nuclear issue is optimistic. I have no doubt that their scientific analysis is correct, but I think that as soon as information starts leaking out, the great powers will be in a race to develop nuclear technology. It is unreasonable to think that they will forgo, or postpone, the acquisition of the ultimate weapon because of budgetary restraints.”

“
How long do you think it will take somebody to develop a bomb?”

“
I‘m not an engineer, but judging by our history, probably the same time, or slightly less, than it took the U.S. in our time-line. Let’s say four to five years from the time they decide to go. The information they’ll get from our libraries will reduce their expenses, but the time frame will probably stay the same. Unless, of course, we decide to make all our libraries classified. Even then spies will get the information.”

“
I tend to agree with Mina,” said the historian, “and would like to add that the same is true for every other technological advantage we have.”

The head of the Mo
ssad rose slightly in his chair. “I still don’t agree. Some of our advantages are so big that it would take the world 20 years to catch up – satellites, microchips and computers are good examples. As to nuclear technology, we differ in our estimates of what the world will think is important. Will the U.S. invest in the Manhattan project, or computers or pharmaceuticals? The government doesn’t have the resources to do everything. Especially in peacetime and with the FDR-induced recession still dogging them. The Soviets and the Brits have even less resources.

”
I’ll give you an example of false technological ‘catching up’: We know that the Brits, the Americans, and the Germans are all working on jet technology. We also know that left to their own devices the British would have a flying jet in about three years. The fact that they saw something of our jets will help them. The time estimate will be down to a year or two if we open our borders and allow information to get out. But we need to remember that the distance between our jets and theirs will still be about fifty years of technological development – I am being cautious estimating it at fifty years, It may be as much as seventy. What is more important is the fact that technology and science you learn from a book is different from that you develop yourself. The most important elements of any scientific and technological development are not available from textbooks. You may be able to find the basics of a nuclear bomb in a library book, but how to build the extremely accurate switches necessary for a plutonium device is classified and not easy to come by. Another problem is uranium enrichment – this also takes time and special equipment that they will have to develop or buy from us.”

“
I think that we all understand the different positions on the issue of the technology gap,” Amos interrupted. “Anyone have anything to add regarding the options we were discussing earlier?”

“
Yes,” the historian jumped in. “I have a remark about the Mossad presentation. It was somewhat black and white. The U.S. has already developed a serious industry as part of their lend-lease program, which the Soviets at least will need for a while. So whether the U.S. gets into the European war or not, it will have a sizable industrial base by 1943. I agree with the head of the Mossad to the extent that this industry will not be as big or dependent on the government as it became in our time-line. This will tend to reduce the U.S. government’s control over the industry and the industry’s ability to spend money. With less jobs dependent on military production Congress may be more reluctant to raise taxes to pay for it. Also, if the U.S. is not in Europe - and we meddle some, the cold war may not develop – which will slow everything considerably.

“
Another issue we need to deal with is Hitler’s declaration of war on the U.S. We don’t have a complete understanding of why he did it and so have no sure way of stopping him, short of killing the maniac. Killing him will cause a huge perturbation of the time-line with unpredictable results.

“
We have a theory that goes as follows: Hitler was frustrated for a while with the U.S. It wasn’t formally at war with Germany but in practice assisted Germany’s enemies as if it was. This assistance included land-lease and escorting British and Soviet ships. As far as Hitler was concerned the U.S. couldn’t do much more against Germany. It had no armies to send overseas, and what small forces it had ready are going to fight Japan. Hitler probably estimated that as soon as the U.S. had the means it would declare war on Germany no matter what he did.

“
From this perspective it actually makes sense for him to declare war. Such a declaration would allow German submarines to attack shipping as far as U.S. coastal waters. There is no downside as the U.S. is not ready for action.

“
If this theory is correct, Hitler may not declare war in this time-line. The Brits using our satellite information have sunk so many German submarines as to make the whole enterprise not worthwhile. We have seen a sharp drop in submarine attacks since we came on the scene. With no clear advantage, as short term as it may be, Hitler may decide against a declaration of war or not consider it at all.”

“
I have another remark,” Mina Katz said, “in regard to U.S. participation in the European war. We didn’t have a third war initiated by Germany in our time-line. An important reason for this was, in my opinion, the way Germany was defeated in WWII. It was a defeat in the first total war in human history. Almost each and every German experienced the air raids, bombs and occupation. Unlike after WWI they saw their enemies marching through their streets. To repeat this performance we may need the Americans. If they are out of the European theater, we, the Brits, Soviets and possibly the French may not be able to inflict enough pain to prevent a third round.”

The discussion went on for hours. It was dark by the time the Cabinet finally voted. It was not unanimous, but a decision was reached.

The speaker looked at the crowd in front of him. Rabin Square was full,
with close to a hundred thousand people. It didn’t really matter how many came. The peace movement was gaining momentum. Ambassadors from the United States and Russia were on the platform, along with the heads of two Arab parties and a couple of left wing peace advocates.

“
We may yet win” thought the speaker, “and make this oppressive government give back all the lands it took from the Palestinians. We will finally have peace.” The “peace” mantra was an old one and he almost believed it.

He started his speech: “Dear friends, this is the third time in as many months we have come together for peace. More and more people are supporting our cause for freedom and democracy. I call on the government to free all the unjustly detained. Cancel the ‘Hostage Law’ now!
No Hostage Law!”

The crowd cheered. The speaker raised both arms into the air. The crowd chanted rhythmically: “
No law! No law! No law”

The speaker lowered his arms and made soothing motions with his hands
. “Let’s hear from the Russian Ambassador. He is here as a private citizen and has graciously agreed to express his opinion on this issue.”

The
Ambassador rose from his seat and approached the microphone, the crowd cheering.

“
My friends,” he began, “I am honored to speak at this event. As you know, my country and I personally have always supported your desire for peace. I would like to remind you that at this very moment the Soviet Union is fighting for its life against the barbarian Nazis. It is our duty to help anyone fighting these animals and to oppose everyone who supports them. As we speak, thousands of people are dying in this war.

“
I have grave news for you. It has come to my attention that the Palestinian Authority and its affiliates actively support the Nazis.”

The crowd, quiet up to this moment, started booing. The
ambassador waited patiently for the booing to stop and, when a semblance of peace returned, continued. “The so called ‘peace loving’ Arabs you are trying to liberate have sent emissaries to Nazi Germany with information on how to make an atom bomb to help them win this war. Their only objective is the destruction of this state and all of us with it.”

His last words could not be heard. The crowd was scre
aming accusations of lies, provocation and propaganda heard through the general hubbub.  That was the end of the rally but not of the scandal.

The next day the local media carried detailed reports of the
ambassador’s speech. He was accused of lying to prop up the government. He protested and gave the press audio tapes as well as transcripts and translations. There was no doubt that the tapes were authentic – Dr. Mazen’s voice was clear and well-known.

The peace movement tried to defend itself, claiming that their intentions were good and peace negotiations with the Palestinians were desirable. The leftist parties tried to claim that the whole thing had been staged by the government. The Arab parties did their usual thing and accused the Jews of attacking the Palestinians.

The public seemed not to buy any of the claims. The next rally in Rabin Square managed to attract only its organizers. Peace Now was deeply shaken. They suddenly realized that Israel had an irreconcilable enemy in the Nazis, and the Palestinians were cheering this enemy on and doing their best to annihilate the Jewish people. The Arabs learned nothing from history and would, given an opportunity, repeat it. Only this time they hoped that all the Jews would die.

Am
os Nir was satisfied. He knew that all the bleeding hearts would sooner or later find some other cause to make a fuss about, but at least for now they were licking their wounds. He was also hopeful that Peace Now would find fewer supporters among the new immigrants than they would have without the truth coming out. The newcomers were not very interested or moved by the rights of people bent on destroying their newly found state. Some of them though would keep their left-wing politics and follow the locals in their stupidity, but at least this little incident might reduce their numbers.

The Foreign Minister called the Russian
Ambassador. “Vladimir, I appreciate your candor at that rally. You did us and your country a great service.”

“
Nathan, I did it for my country. Every word I said at that rally was true. I appreciate you trusting me with the tapes. I hope that you didn’t forget our agreement?”

“
We will do as you asked us. No member of the Russian embassy or any other Russian citizen will be forced to go to the Soviet Union when we establish relations with them. I completely understand your reluctance to face Stalin’s NKVD and agree they would not be gentle with you.”

***

The Cabinet was about to disperse with only one item left on the agenda: the American Issue.

Am
os opened the debate: “Since we decided in the last meeting to establish formal relations with the Americans our researchers and planners came up with a possible approach.” He nodded to the Foreign Minister: “Please tell us what they propose.”

“I would like to give those of you that are not very f
amiliar with this period of U.S. history a short summary of the country’s, and particularly President Roosevelt’s, attitude towards Jews.

“
Starting with the late 1930s the U.S. refused to accept any Jewish refugees from Europe beyond the established quotas – which were very low. The only exception was made for world-renowned scientists like Albert Einstein and even his entry was difficult. In fact even the meager quotas were not being filled because of requirements that Jews couldn’t comply with. One example is the requirement of getting a declaration from the police that they don’t have a criminal record. Would you expect the Gestapo to issue such documents?

The SS St. Louis was probably a better example of how the U.S. treated Jews: None of its passengers - all refugees from the Nazis, were allowed to enter the U.S. and were eventually returned to the Nazis.
 
The St. Louis was a test – Hitler wanted to check if anybody cared. He had a perfect demonstration of American Anti-Semitism and indifference and decided that the U.S. would do nothing to prevent the extermination of the Jews. He was right. In this regard the U.S. and President Roosevelt should be held partially responsible for the Holocaust.

“
This sad history not withstanding this is what the experts found out and propose to do…”