In 1913 German Jews expelled all Zionists. Is this why Zionists signed a deal with the Nazis in 1933?
"In 'The History of German Zionism', German Zionist chronicler Richard Lichtheim recalls that "nowhere was the opposition of Jews to the new movement (Zionism est.1896) so widespread, principled, and fierce as in Germany."
In March 1913, fed up with Zionist efforts to organise the withdrawal of Jews, the Central Verein, representing over half of German Jewry, expelled any member who advocated loyalty to any land other than the German Fatherland.
When WW1 broke out, it was an opportunity German Jews had awaited to prove they were patriotic, fully integrated Germans. About 100,000 Jews fought, 80,000 in the trenches. Some 12,000 were killed. And yet persistence of Zionism still brought German Jewish patriotism into question.
After Britain's 1917 Balfour Declaration promised a Jewish national home in Palestine, German Jews frantically avoided any identification with Zionist activities that might be interpreted as a link with Germany's enemy Britain."
Page 168 this book by a Jew, son of Polish WW2 survivors
"historical journalism at it's best" - Jerusalem Post
No comments:
Post a Comment