L’État juif essai d’une solution de la question juive par Dr Theodore Herzl avec un portrait de l’auteur, hors texte deuxième édition Salonique – The Jewish State – An Attempt at a Modern Solution of the Jewish Question by Dr. Theodor Herzl, with a portrait of the author (printed separately from the text). Published by Édition du Pro-Israël, Salonika, 1923 – second edition. Rare.
On the cover, an embossed monogram of the owner: TEOFILO VIVANTE. On the page following the title, beside Herzl’s portrait, appears a dedication in French: “À mon inoubliable ami et frère, Teofilo Vivante d’Alexandrie. Petit souvenir d’amitié de ton camarade, Egon Knoepfer. Salonique, 26 Teveth / 12 janvier 1930.” – “To my unforgettable friend and brother, Teofilo Vivante of Alexandria. A small token of friendship from your companion, Egon Knoepfer”. Salonika, 26 Tevet / January 12, 1930.”On the final page, two Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (JNF) stamps are affixed – depicting Herzl and Shapira.
A rare Zionist edition of The Jewish State (L’État juif) in French, printed in Salonika in 1923 by Édition du Pro-Israël. This edition was published following a request by Avraham Recanati, delegate from Greece to the Twelfth Zionist Congress, addressed to Ze’ev Jabotinsky, asking him to ensure that Jewish communities in the Near East would be provided with proper French translations of the key works laying out the foundational principles of the Zionist movement – the language most familiar to those communities. Due to Jabotinsky’s many obligations, he delayed the effort, and the Jewish community of Salonika undertook the project independently. At the time, Herzl’s book was unavailable in any French-language bookstore. The Jacob Alché Jewish Library provided the only known translated copy available in the Middle East, preserved at the École Alché in Greece. Based on this single copy, the publisher proceeded with the edition on his own, ultimately without any backing from the organized Zionist movement: “We are doing this on our own, making significant sacrifices, without any financial support from any organization.”
(from the publisher’s preface). The first edition of the book in Salonika had appeared a year earlier, also published by Pro-Israël. This was one of the earliest initiatives outside Central Europe to publish Herzl’s work in French—within a predominantly Sephardic community.
In his book “The Jewish State”, Herzl outlines his vision of a productive Jewish state. He describes in great detail how he envisions the future Jewish state, down to specifics such as the working hours that will be customary within it. Upon its first publication in February 1896, the book stirred a major controversy. Most public figures, both Jews and non-Jews dismissed it as nonsense, and many criticized it harshly: “No one in Vienna, ” claimed the writer Stefan Zweig, “was ridiculed as much as Herzl.”
Yet there were also voices who grasped what others could not. One of the few writers who supported Herzl was Richard Beer-Hofmann, who wrote to him: “At long last, here is a man who bears Judaism not as a burden, or as a calamity to be endured, but as a legitimate heir to an ancient culture.”
Rare. According to the global library catalog WorldCat, only two listings of this edition are recorded: one at the National Library of Israel in Jerusalem, and the other at Harvard University in the United States.
119 [1] pp. Good condition.
“We believe with complete faith that only a spirit of imagination moves Dr. Herzl…” – Two issues of the newspaper HaTzfira – dated 13 MarCheshvan 5657 and 25 MarCheshvan 5657 (October 1896, issues no. 218 and 228) – in which the open controversy between Nahum Sokolow and Theodor Herzl appeared, regarding Herzl’s vision that had been published in The Jewish State shortly beforehand. In both issues: Sokolow’s furious attack on Herzl’s method and on his advocacy for the Land of Israel through open action with the governments of the nations (primarily Turkey), which in Sokolow’s opinion would only harm the settlement enterprise; Herzl’s response to Sokolow’s attacks (“If they continue to rebuke me and threaten me, I shall suppress my prophecy… I am ready to sacrifice my life for it”); and finally, Sokolow’s reply to Herzl’s words (“We must establish colonies wherever we can – and in the end, honor will come – but Heaven forbid that we begin building from the roof”). Rare.
Herzl and Sokolow viewed differently the proper course of action to be taken in the Zionist enterprise. Herzl maintained that political action should come first -obtaining an internationally recognized charter for the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people, through negotiations with the world powers and securing legal-political legitimacy before beginning large-scale settlement. Sokolow, on the other hand, leaned more toward the practical–settlement approach: developing settlement, Hebrew education, and culture already on the ground, even without immediate political approval, believing that creating facts on the ground would help achieve political recognition later on, whereas political advocacy might endanger the entire Zionist enterprise by arousing open opposition. The dispute between the two found public expression in the two HaTzfira issues before us, which reveal just how deeply divided their views were—so much so that they engaged in personal attacks against one another and outright rejection of each other’s arguments.
In the first issue, in which Sokolow in fact opened the “confrontation, ” he attacked Herzl in harsh terms: “Such is the word of Dr. Herzl and the dream he has dreamed about the Kingdom of Israel!… ”. Sokolow claimed that Herzl’s plan for the return of the Jews to their land had caused Turkey (which at the time ruled over the Land of Israel) to harden its regulations concerning the release of land in the Land of Israel for the benefit of Jewish settlement, and that in response it had closed its gates to those coming on their way to the Land of Israel: “Why has the land of Turkey closed the gates of Palestine—a thing it had not accustomed itself to do for hundreds of years? Everyone knows that Turkey is anxious and fearful over its possessions…”. Sokolow argued that as long as Herzl had not raised his voice publicly before governments and rulers on behalf of settlement in the Land of Israel, Jewish settlement had indeed taken place quietly and without arousing any opposition. But the moment he began to establish companies—“one company to build, and one company to oversee the builders”—and began to rush from country to country for the cause, “and set his feet swift as the deer to run from Vienna to London and from London to Paris, ” he caused the nations to notice the uniting of Jews in all corners of the land—“the Jews acted with one hand and with one accord to establish these companies”- and they began to oppose such an organized effort. Sokolow continued with a personal attack on Herzl, claiming that his actions had in fact brought the Zionist enterprise to a halt: “The salvations and acts of kindness which we had hoped would come swiftly were suddenly stopped because of the burden of Dr. Herzl and his dreams. In his innocence, Dr. Herzl placed a sword in the hand of the hostile Turkish party against the Jewish colonies. We believe with complete faith that only a spirit of imagination moves Dr. Herzl… If a disaster threatens because of a dream-vision regarding a matter of action – regarding the colonies, the farmers, the men who eat the bread of their labor, and the people who also wish to come and find rest and work – then now it is a criminal offense if we do not raise the alarm about this stumbling block. Therefore, we will do our duty to awaken and to warn and to inform that all the burden of Dr. Herzl and his matter is nothing but a game. In London he achieved nothing, in Paris Baron Edmond de Rothschild refused to receive him… We advise Dr. Herzl to suppress his prophecy, and if he will not suppress it, then we shall not cease to do our duty and to make known that it is only the vision of his heart and not the vision of the people’s heart that this honorable dreamer proclaims. N. S. (Nahum Sokolow).”
In issue no. 228, Herzl decided to respond to the accusations hurled at him by Sokolow, through his secretary Michael Berkowitz, who conveyed his words to the newspaper’s editorial staff after Herzl himself was approached on the matter: “The words of your article, filled with pure love for our people, shook my heart greatly, and while still shaken and moved, I hurried to show it to Dr. Herzl. I read your article aloud to him and asked for his response… and Dr. Herzl put words in my mouth to write to you, in the hope that you would judge fairly and for the sake of truth would also present them before the readers of HaTzfira, so that they too may judge them. And these are the words I have written from his mouth, word for word…”.
Berkowitz begins by describing the revolution brought about among the Jewish people by the book The Jewish State since its publication: “From the day Dr. Herzl’s book appeared and his proposal for the establishment of the Jewish State became known among the public, the Jewish Question and its radical solution became a subject in which almost everyone engaged, and as though a great commotion broke out in the press. There is hardly a newspaper in any country that has not expressed its opinion on Herzl’s proposal and has not published sermons and debates about it, whether for or against. And while from all ends of the earth letters of thanks and blessing come to him daily…” . Berkowitz then conveyed Herzl’s words to the newspaper verbatim: “It pains me greatly to see that they fight me with such weapons, and therefore I turn to the conclusion of the article and say: if they continue to rebuke me and threaten me to suppress my prophecy, it may be that my heart will sink, and I will cease to serve the cause of my people, for which I am ready to sacrifice my life. However, I see from the words of the author of the article that he honors me greatly, and therefore I respond to his objections in a calm spirit: (a) It is false that Baron Rothschild in Paris refused to receive me. On the contrary—when I returned from London, I stayed for two days in Paris, and when the Baron heard of my arrival there, he sent for me, and we spoke at length about my proposal, in the presence of two great and respected men who were with me and who can testify to this.”
Regarding the claim that Turkey had hardened its stance toward the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel since he began his advocacy, Herzl argued that this was false and merely a rumor spread among the Jewish public. Upon hearing it, he said, he approached the Turkish envoy, Mehmed Nadi, who testified before him that since Herzl’s visit to Turkey, the Turkish government had even eased its attitude toward the inhabitants of the colonies in the Land of Israel—“I have not worsened the situation of the colonies, just as no decree has been issued because of me against the coming of Jews to the country.” Herzl added that it was precisely public advocacy for the settlement of the Land of Israel, openly and through diplomatic channels with the states, that would bring broader support, including from the Ottoman government, and that “the settlement movement should not remain in darkness and secrecy.” He explained why, in his view, only the “political” method could solve the Jewish problem. In this issue, Sokolow replied to Herzl’s words, asserting that all his actions were merely the fruit of his dreams, and that Herzl took into account only the success of his plan, without considering the severe consequences should it fail. The idea that the Turkish government would “sell” one of its provinces (the Land of Israel) to the Jewish people solely because of Herzl’s lofty qualities, he said, was folly. The correct path, in his view, was to continue establishing colonies in the Land of Israel quietly, without arousing undesirable opposition: “We must establish colonies wherever we can – and in the end, honor will come – but Heaven forbid that we begin building from the roof.”
Two complete issues. Tears and wear to the inner margins of the issues. Good condition.
Die Wahrheit über Palästina – “The Truth About Palestine” by Fritz Kohler. Published by Henry Burmester, Bremen (Germany) [1939]. Copy from an administrative Wehrmacht soldiers’ library, with a Nazi Wehrmacht ink stamp. In German. Rare.
Nazi propaganda booklet, anti-British and anti-Zionist, portraying the Zionist enterprise in Palestine as an imperialist conspiracy between Jews and the British. Throughout the booklet, the author distorts facts and accuses Britain of political and colonial “corruption” in the Middle East, with the Jews depicted as part of an international conspiracy. The author blames the Jewish Agency and its leaders for dispossessing the Arab population of the Land of Israel in order to strengthen the Zionist-British alliance—a colonial takeover allegedly driven by wealthy Jews in England. “Thus, the poor ghetto Jew became a violent imperial Jew.” The content seeks to convince the German reader that hidden motives lie behind British commitments such as the Balfour Declaration, aiming to intensify opposition to Zionism while rallying sympathy for the Arab world for the Third Reich’s strategic needs.
The cover features a composite illustration: a Zionist figure, a British soldier, and an Arab fighter with a knife, set against a map of the Land of Israel with references to the cities Haifa, Jaffa, and Jerusalem.
100, [8] pages + [8] photo plates. Good condition.
Hi, Digger! – Aussie Jokes from the Orient הוצאת Edition Olympia – Martin Feuchtwanger – Hi, Digger! (Shalom, Soldier!) – a collection of “Aussie” jokes from the Orient. Humorous illustrated booklet by Rico Blass (illustrator and cartoonist active in Eretz-Israel during the British Mandate period) – signed in the plate on the cover and in all the cartoons throughout the booklet. Tel Aviv, . 1930s. Rare.
Cartoons include: a tall Australian soldier riding a short donkey, an Australian soldier in a restaurant searching for the steak beneath a mountain of rice he’s unaccustomed to, an Australian rider on a donkey weeping under the scorching sun – “Wow, what a ride! Hitler should have to do this three times a day, ” a boy gazing at Australian soldiers and asking his mother, “When I grow up, will I be Australian?” and more.
A rare booklet. Not listed in the WorldCat global library catalog.
[10] leaves. 14×10 cm. Minor tears (restored) on the cover. Good condition.
Prise de Jerusalem: La Ville Sainte est Arrachee aux Turcs – Jerusalem has been captured, the Holy City snatched from the Turks, [C. 1917]. French. Large poster issued to mark the capture of Jerusalem by the British on 9 December 1917. At its top, a panoramic photograph of Jerusalem and additional photographs of Jerusalem and of General Allenby, and beneath it, text about the capture of the city from the Ottoman army (see below). (This poster was printed simultaneously in several languages, including English, Spanish, and German).
The French text in the center of the poster (English translation):
“Jerusalem, by the British forces, is one of the decisive events of the war. For centuries, the Holy City groaned under the oppression of the Turks, who tyrannized over Christians and Jews, and wronged Muslims through the cruel persecution of the Arabs. From the moment the Sultan became, in effect, a vassal of the German Emperor, the situation worsened, and the interests of the people in the Land of Israel were mercilessly sacrificed to the demands of German military and economic policy. The British forces entered Jerusalem not as conquerors, but as liberators, and their arrival was welcomed with joy by Muslims, Christians, and Jews alike. In this historic event, Jerusalem was delivered from centuries-old tyranny, and a new era of prosperity was opened for the intelligent and manly races inhabiting the country. The capture of Jerusalem is the culmination of a rapid and brilliant campaign, preceded by the capture of Beersheba, Gaza, and Jaffa. The operations were carried out under the most difficult conditions, and the oppressive heat, the choking dust, combined with rain that turned the roads, fields, and paths into a sea of slippery mud, caused great suffering to soldiers accustomed to a wholly different climate. Nevertheless, all difficulties were overcome with unwavering perseverance, and the Turks suffered the most crushing defeat yet inflicted upon their forces.
Our photographs represent: (1) panoramic view of Jerusalem; (2) General Sir Edmund Allenby, commander of the British forces in the Land of Israel; (3) view of the southern walls of Jerusalem, taken from the lower part of the Valley of Jehoshaphat, showing on the right the south-eastern corner of the walls and the Mosque of Omar; (4) view of the northern wall, with the dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on the right and the dome of the Mosque of Omar on the left; (5) part of the Citadel and the western wall of Jerusalem, with the road leading from Jaffa Gate through Mount Zion and the Valley of Ephraim.”
Size: 82×57 cm. Mounted on linen for display and preservation. Very good condition.
11 issues of The Commercial Bulletin, published by the Department of Customs, Excise and Trade of the Government of Palestine (British Mandate). Consecutive issues 1–12 (excluding issue no. 6), issued from January to December 1928.
A series of official publications of the Mandate Government, distributed as a registered newspaper, containing economic and commercial data: customs tariffs in Palestine (in this case for the years 1914–1927), official lists of imported and exported goods, summaries of imports and exports by year and item, monitoring of price movements, and trade reports. The purpose of these consecutively issued publications was to provide up-to-date information to merchants, importers, exporters, and economic bodies, and today they serve as an important statistical and historical source for understanding the economy of Palestine during the Mandate period—particularly in terms of customs policy, the scope of international trade, and the structure of imports and exports.
11 complete issues. Wear to some of the covers. Overall good condition.
Proclamation issued by the British High Commissioner John Chancellor regarding testimonies on the outbreak of the 1929 riots. Greek Monastery Press, Jerusalem, 1929.
The proclamation before us, published on 4 September 1929, refers to the violent events of August 1929 and announces that “the courts which will try the criminal cases arising out of the recent disturbances will be composed of British judges, ” placing equal suspicion on both Jews and Arabs: “Since it is known that crimes of various kinds have been committed both by Arabs and by Jews, they will be brought to trial before the courts established according to the ordinance I issued yesterday…”. The proclamation further announces the establishment of an official commission of inquiry into the events, headed by British judge Walter Shaw (“Shaw Commission”), and emphasizes that this does not affect the existence of the British Mandate. It states that His Majesty’s Government continues its efforts toward the fulfillment of the Balfour Declaration concerning “the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine.”
In response to the events of August 1929 (the 1929 riots), the British High Commissioner John Chancellor (Chancellor), who was in London at the time, hastily returned to the country following the outbreak of violence. His reactions to the events resembled a zigzag, as he repeatedly changed his stance within a short period of time. His initial response was the publication of a sharply worded condemnation blaming the Arabs for instigating the riots (see Dynasty auction 30, Item 15). Apparently, following the Arab outrage that erupted in response, just a few hours later—under pressure—he wrote to the British government, urging it to reduce, if not entirely revoke, its commitment to Zionism. In his statement, he claimed that the Balfour Declaration had been “a colossal blunder.” A few days later, he once again retracted his sweeping position and issued the present proclamation, in which he places equal blame on both Jews and Arabs for the outbreak of the riots and announces that an investigation will be held until the truth is fully uncovered. Britain’s commitment to the Balfour Declaration, he asserts, remains unchanged.
Approximately 54×42 cm. Fold marks. Good condition.
Official Bulletin – Three official notices issued by the Government of Palestine during the 1929 riots – wall posters reporting on the violent events in the cities of the country between August 25 and 31, 1929. Printed at the Greek Convent Press.
Bulletin dated August 25, 1929 – reports on the situation in the Jerusalem area, including numerical data on Muslims, Christians, and Jews killed or who died of their wounds; in Hebron, a serious attack on the Jewish Quarter in the city—more than forty-five Jews and eight Muslims were killed, over fifty-nine Jews and ten Muslims were injured. “A strong force of troops from the Royal Air Force and from the British Police was sent and restored order.” Also includes reports on events in Gaza and Beersheba, Nablus, Safed, Tulkarm, Nazareth and Acre, Haifa, as well as “General Matters” (six hundred British soldiers from Egypt arrived in the country, and more).
Bulletin dated August 27, 1929 – reports on events in Jerusalem, Jaffa and Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other parts of the country, as well as a casualty list—killed, wounded hospitalized, and wounded not in hospitals—among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
Bulletin dated August 31, 1929 – reports on casualties in Safed, Jerusalem, and Haifa, and the number of casualties among Muslims, Christians, and Jews. Also includes a warning: “There is reason to warn the public in all the towns and villages in the country of the danger to those walking in the streets at night…”.
Uniform size: 43×35 cm. Fold marks. Light stains. Overall good condition.
A letter sent to Rabbi Kook by a representative of the British Commission of Inquiry (Shaw Commission), which operated after the events of 1929 to examine the causes of the outbreak, requesting that Rabbi Kook testify in his home, and the reply written by Rabbi Kook in his own handwriting on the sender’s original letter, (without signature). [September 1929].
Wording of the request (English):
“To His Eminence,
The Chief Rabbi,
Jerusalem.
Your Eminence,
I wish to inform you that the Commission of Inquiry has expressed a desire to hear testimony from Your Eminence regarding certain matters that have arisen during the investigation. The Chairman of the Commission has recently announced that the Commission will grant Your Eminence the right to deliver your testimony in your own home, and I wish to know from you what time would be convenient for Your Eminence to be heard.”
On the reverse of the letter, Rabbi Kook replied that he agreed to give testimony in his home and added: “But at the same time, I declare that the best interest of the matter requires of me that my words not be spoken in a confidential manner, but rather openly. Therefore, my demand is that press representatives also be present at the inquiry. I am submitting this demand in a special letter to the Chairman of the Commission of Inquiry.”
The letter is found in the file of Attorney Mordechai Eliash, who dealt with representatives of the British Mandate in the investigation of the events of 1929.
[1] One leaf, written on both sides. Very good condition.
Important letter by Rabbi Kook to the Chief Rabbi of London, Rabbi Joseph Hertz, in response to the appearance of the Arab delegation before the Bishop of Canterbury. Typewritten on official letterhead of the Chief Rabbinate of the Land of Israel, with Rabbi Kook’s handwritten signature. 4 Elul 5681. (September 7, 1921).
In his letter, Rabbi Kook writes that the entire false representation made by the Arab delegation before the Bishop of Canterbury, as though the Jews sought to drive out the Arabs and deprive them of their rights, “are all slanderous accusations, like all the accusations to which the enemies of Israel are accustomed.” He asks Rabbi Hertz to approach the Bishop promptly on behalf of the Chief Rabbinate of the Land of Israel and convey to him the message that the Jews have no intention of driving out the inhabitants of the land or depriving them of their rights: “All our aspiration is to build our Holy Land, which is desolate and in ruins, in such a manner that our building will bring blessing to all its inhabitants, ” and that in this matter there will also be blessing for all humanity.
After the 1920 riots and the arrival of High Commissioner Herbert Samuel, the Arab leadership sought to halt the implementation of the Balfour Declaration and the “National Home” policy. In 1921, an official Arab-Palestinian delegation was sent to London, headed by Musa Kazim al-Husseini (former mayor of Jerusalem) and joined by political figures and Muslim and Christian religious leaders. The delegation sought meetings with the British government, Members of Parliament, church committees, and public figures, aiming to persuade them to revoke the Balfour Declaration and stop Jewish immigration. At the time, the Archbishop of Canterbury was Randall Thomas Davidson, considered one of the prominent voices in the Anglican Church on Middle Eastern affairs. He maintained ties with Christian representatives in the Land of Israel, particularly from the local Anglican Church and from British church institutions in Jerusalem. The Arab delegation claimed before him that Britain was granting rights to a foreign Jewish population that did not constitute a majority in the country, at the expense of the Arab majority. They also argued that “the country is already settled” and therefore the establishment of a Jewish National Home would result in the displacement of the Arab inhabitants. In the meeting with the delegation (and at times also in public statements), the Archbishop expressed understanding for the “Arab concerns” regarding demographic changes in the Land of Israel and spoke of the need to protect the rights of the non-Jewish inhabitants. Against this background, Rabbi Kook hastened to approach Rabbi Hertz, asking him to convey the proper, balanced, and truthful message regarding the intentions of the Jews of the Land of Israel.
[1] leaf. Fold marks. Good condition.
An important issue of the underground newspaper Herut (organ of the Irgun), dated November 11, 1943, accusing the British of perpetrating a massacre and aiding in the extermination of European Jewry.
Headline of the issue: “A Fighting Hebrew Youth Movement Has Been Born – We Unite to Wage War Against the Enemies of Israel. The British Sentries Are as Guilty of the Massacre as the Gestapo.”
The final part of this headline refers to a prominent front-page report titled: “How England Helps Exterminate the Jews of Europe – England Allows Turkey to Save Only 494 Jews Per Year.”
The issue reports that the process of sending immigration certificates (certificates) to Nazi-occupied Europe took between six and eight months – at the height of the extermination campaign, when the death camps were operating at full capacity and thousands of Jews were being murdered daily. It further claims that this process could have been shortened to just two months, but doing so required obtaining a Turkish visa. The British, however, allegedly complained to Turkey that these visas were being issued too easily. As a result, Turkey decided to restrict the number of visas to no more than nine per week (!).
Also featured in this issue: An Irgun declaration of war against the enemies of Israel and enemies of Zion, A report on the escape of 22 young Jews from the detention camp in Latrun, A comparison of Arab and Jewish weapon stockpiles, An account of the British police assaulting worshippers at the Western Wall on Yom Kippur, A call for a violent operational plan and mass enlistment into the ranks of the Irgun
[4] pages. Complete issue. Very good condition.
“The Truth About the ‘King David Hotel” – A poster issued by the Irgun, published exactly one year after the bombing of the King David Hotel by its members. The poster details, in ten sections, previously unknown facts regarding the determination of the timing of the bombing, and the dispute with members of the ‘Jewish Resistance Movement’, who are blamed for the deaths of the innocent victims in the bombing. July 22, 1947.
“A year after the attack on the centers of Nazi-British rule – on the main headquarters of the occupation army and the chief secretariat of the occupation government – we find it our duty to reveal to the Hebrew public all the facts related to this attack.”
The organization, exactly one year after carrying out the bombing attack at the King David Hotel by its members, reveals various details regarding the planning and execution of the operation, and places the blame for the killing of innocent civilians on members of the “Jewish Resistance Movement.” The poster states that the plan was conceived as early as the spring of 1946, but was postponed for various reasons. The plan was to allow evacuation of the building by issuing an early warning in order to avoid harming the Jewish population present in the hotel. On July 1, the order to carry out the operation was received from the headquarters of the “Jewish Resistance Movement”, as a response to the British raid on the “National Institutions”. After further delays, mainly due to technical reasons, the date of the attack was set for July 22. Immediately following the attack, a dispute broke out between Irgun members and members of the Jewish Resistance Movement regarding the cause of the large number of casualties resulting from the operation, due to conflicting instructions about the exact timing of the attack on that day. In order to clarify the truth, Irgun representatives requested the appointment of an arbitrator to determine the facts between their claims and those of the Jewish Resistance Movement. However, the latter refused any discussion.
In conclusion, the following is written: “We remained silent for an entire year, we endured wild incitement the likes of which had never been seen in this land… But today, after the ‘Jewish Resistance Movement’ has passed away and there is not even a hope that it will be revived… now the truth may be revealed: now the truth must be revealed.”
The Hebrew Resistance Movement was established in October 1945 as a temporary union of the three underground organizations: the Haganah, the Irgun, and Lehi, with the aim of jointly resisting British rule in Palestine following the end of World War II. The idea was to coordinate military and political actions through collective responsibility, in order to advance the struggle for the establishment of a Jewish state. The King David Hotel served as the center of British administration in Palestine. The Irgun regarded it as a legitimate sabotage target, aiming to strike at the British intelligence archive. Under the command of Menachem Begin, the Irgun carried out the bombing after issuing an advance telephone warning, but the warning went unheeded. The explosion killed 91 people, Jews, Britons, and Arabs — and injured dozens more. The Irgun claimed that the operation had been approved by the Coordination Committee of the Hebrew Resistance Movement, and that prior warning had been given for the area to be evacuated (which they argued was ignored by the British). The hotel itself, they claimed, was a legitimate military target, a center of government and intelligence. In contrast, members of the Resistance Movement denied approving the operation in its final form, and both the Jewish National Council and the Jewish Agency issued a harsh public condemnation of the bombing. Following the operation and the public outcry it provoked, the Hebrew Resistance Movement disbanded. The Haganah chose to return to a policy of restraint and to pursue a path of “moderate and controlled resistance.” In contrast, the Irgun and Lehi continued operating as independent forces, with the Irgun even intensifying its actions against the British until the establishment of the State of Israel.
[1] leaf. 32×32 cm. Good condition.
“Isolate the Men of Hysteria and Surrender!” – a sharply worded statement by the Lehi (Fighters for the Freedom of Israel), published in the underground newspaper HaMa’as, dated 17 Av 5707 – August 3, 1947.
This issue launches a scathing attack on the leadership of the organized Yishuv, especially targeting Mapai and the Jewish Agency, accusing them of collaborating with the British – particularly in handing over young Jewish fighters. It expresses a profound sense of betrayal by the Yishuv leadership and its supporters, who, “in the name of the law, ” are turning over their own brethren to a foreign regime.
Under the subheading “All Because of Two British Sergeants”- a clear reference to the Sergeants Affair, in which two British sergeants were kidnapped and executed by the Irgun in July 1947 in retaliation for the hanging of three Irgun fighters by the British- this issue presents a long list of crimes committed by the British themselves: cold-blooded murder of Jews, with the assertion “the British are guilty of the murder of millions, ” as well as the bombing of homes, deportations, mass arrests, the sinking of the Struma, beating to death of Jewish refugees with clubs, the kidnapping, torture, murder, and desecration of the body of Alexander Rubowitz, and more.
All this is cited to highlight the hostile and oppressive nature of the British regime, with the main accusation being that instead of fighting the enemy, the Jewish leadership is cooperating with it. Lehi protests that the public is being urged to turn against the underground fighters, and that certain groups are condemning the fighters rather than the British enemy. The leaflet especially criticizes the Haganah command, which is accused of joining the campaign of incitement and persecution.
Size: 48 × 33 cm. Fold marks. Good condition.
Report of the Anglo-American Committee of Inquiry on the Problems of European Jewry and Palestine (Eretz-Israel). Lausanne, April 20, 1946. Submitted to Parliament by the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs by Command of His Majesty. Printed at the Government Printing Office, Jerusalem.
Report of the Special Committee appointed by the Government of the United States and the Government of the United Kingdom with the purpose (as stated by the Committee): To examine the political, economic, and social conditions in Palestine (Eretz-Israel), insofar as they affect the problem of Jewish immigration and settlement in the country, and the well-being of the peoples residing therein; To investigate the situation of the Jews in those European countries where they were victims of Nazi and Fascist persecution, and the practical measures taken—or planned—in those countries to enable them to live free from discrimination and oppression; To assess the number of those who wish—or whose circumstances compel them—to migrate to Palestine or to other countries outside Europe; To hear the views of qualified witnesses and to consult with representatives of both Arabs and Jews regarding the problems of Palestine; And to recommend to His Majesty’s Government and to the Government of the United States interim measures for dealing with these problems, as well as long-term solutions. The Committee was also charged with making further recommendations to His Majesty’s Government and to the Government of the United States concerning the possibilities of emigration to countries outside Europe.
The Committee began its work on January 4, 1946. As part of its mission, it toured several European countries – Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Italy, and Greece, and returned to Jerusalem on March 6. In addition, committee envoys visited Beirut, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. The Committee presented its findings in Switzerland, with the conclusions submitted in the rare report before us. The report provides an extensive account of the balance of power between Jews and Arabs in Palestine, and reviews the implementation of previous recommendations, particularly those of the Peel Commission. Among the Committee’s conclusions was the assertion that the majority of Jews would remain in Europe, and that the refugee problem must, in the near term, be resolved within the countries themselves. To this end, the Committee explored several channels to restore stolen Jewish property from the Holocaust years and to secure reparations for the families of survivors from countries that were either under Nazi control or collaborated with the regime measures intended to help them rebuild their lives in the diaspora. The Committee also recommended the immediate issuance of 100,000 immigration certificates to Palestine for Jews residing in displaced persons camps, in accordance with understandings reached with the Jewish Agency during the inquiry. However, it is striking to read how the Committee categorically rules out the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine (only two years before it would, in fact, be established) on the grounds that the Arab minority strongly opposed such an outcome. Instead, the Committee recommended that Palestine remain under British Mandate rule, pending the implementation of a United Nations trusteeship agreement, and it proceeds to outline the details of this plan.
The Committee further recommended that the British Mandate in Palestine continue to be upheld, arguing that Jewish-Arab relations were on the verge of civil war, which “could endanger the peace of the world.”
[4], 67 pp. Minor stains to cover. Good condition.
Three large press photographs taken by British and French photo agencies: Deportation of an immigrant ship / British soldiers sent to Palestine as reinforcements during the Arab Revolt / The High Commissioner visiting Jaffa orange merchants exporting to England. 1930s.
Rare photograph of Jewish immigrants from Germany deported from Palestine by the British. Described on the reverse on an attached slip by the British photo agency Wide World Photo, which captured the image: “Illegal entry into the Holy Land: the suffering of Jewish refugees from Germany. Jaffa. 170 Jewish refugees from Germany were placed aboard a small Greek steamship in Fiume (Italy). Their passports were issued with CIA visas. Once the ship was at sea, all of the refugees’ passports were forcibly thrown overboard, and the unfortunate passengers were told they would be landed in Palestine. After a 36-day journey through the East, the Mediterranean finally brought the 120 people, who endured horrific treatment aboard, ashore in Palestine. They were soon discovered by the military and taken to a concentration camp in Sarafand. Their fate remains uncertain.”
British soldiers aboard a ship sent to Palestine as reinforcements following the Arab Revolt – January 4, 1937. Described on the reverse by the British photo agency Keystone, which took the photograph: “The Guards return from the Palace – England. A significant portion of the military reinforcements sent to Palestine following the Arab Revolt has been dispatched by the British War Office. Our photo shows the arrival of a battalion of the British Guards aboard the ‘Laurentic’ in Southampton. As British soldiers depart, rumors suggest that the Arabs are preparing for new uprisings.”
Photograph of the High Commissioner with merchants marketing Jaffa oranges in England. Described on the reverse by the French photo agency TRAMPUS, which captured the image: “Jaffa oranges from Palestine. Major-General Sir Arthur Wauchope, the High Commissioner of Palestine, currently on leave in England, visits various fruit merchants in the Covent Garden and Spitalfields markets to see for himself the condition of the fruit as it arrives from Palestine.” Dated: March 15, 1937.
Photographs of identical size: approximately 21×17 cm. Very good condition.
Collection of 15 issues published by the Public Information Office of the Jewish Agency – “Today in the Press of the Land” – historical reports from the peak period of tension and diplomatic efforts to secure a majority at the UN in support of establishing a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel. Issues from the months of November 1946 – April 1947, including issues no. 42, 98, 140, 142, 146, 147, 148, 150–155, 163, 164, 166. Rare.
Before us are historical issues reviewing important news items from the local and international press regarding key developments leading up to the end of the British Mandate and the establishment of the State of Israel, focusing primarily on the efforts made by the Jewish Agency and Zionist leaders to secure a majority of nations in favor of the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz-Israel.
Among the reports: Churchill’s proposal to end the British Mandate, Ben-Gurion in a speech: “The assault of the ma’apilim, who will push forward without fear, without fatigue, without retreat, toward the shores of the homeland despite all hindrances and barriers – only they will tip the scales… The UN is not everything; the strength of the Yishuv and the power of immigration – in these and in their exaltation lies the secret of Zionism’s greatness in this period… The immigration will continue and the Jewish state will arise, and I believe in our own days…”. U.S. Senator Baldwin proposed to his government the establishment of a joint Jewish-Arab state in Eretz-Israel for the purpose of defense, the Jewish Agency’s proposal to establish both a Hebrew and Arab state side by side, Golda Meyerson (Meir) declared at a press conference that the Jews have the right to Jewish immigration, Jewish settlement, and Jewish independence, British forces began withdrawing from Tel Aviv and returning to Britain, Weizmann announced in London that under certain conditions the Zionist leadership would be prepared to accept the partition plan, intense deliberations at the UN in an effort to resolve the Palestine question, rumors of ma’apilim being sent to Malta, a statement by the Jewish Agency leadership ahead of the UN debate on the establishment of a Jewish state: “If the question of Palestine is brought before the United Nations, this will mark a significant political turning point. The international nature of the question of Palestine and the Jewish people will once again be underscored. The matter will emerge from the narrow confines of a conflict between the Jewish people and the Mandatory government, and become a subject of international responsibility.” The Zionist leadership’s struggle against the White Paper policy, remarks by Moshe Shertok (Sharett) at a Mapai branch meeting: “We will go to the UN with a claim based on the Mandate – a national home for the Jewish people in Eretz-Israel. We will appear in the name of the suffering of our people in the Diaspora and the strength and standing of the Yishuv. Upon this is based our claim for ingathering of the exiles and the establishment of the State of Israel, ” The ma’apilim of the ship “Moledet” – 1,570 in number – were deported to Cyprus after strong resistance, efforts to secure support in England and America ahead of the UN deliberations, the five major powers agreed to convene a special session of the UN General Assembly to discuss the Palestine question… Upon receiving the British request, the UN Secretariat would telegraph all 55 member states, 1,264 immigration certificates have so far been sent to the British zone in Germany, analyses and speculations on how the various countries might vote at the UN on the question of establishing a Jewish state, efforts to downplay the influence of the Arab delegation at the UN, and more.
15 issues, most consisting of a single leaf printed on both sides and duplicated by stencil. Some issues comprise four pages. Overall very good condition.
“The elderly are called to auxiliary duties of great responsibility, no less important to the outcome of our war…” – “To the Citizen of the State of Israel” – a fully vocalized proclamation calling on older citizens to take an active role in the war against the Arab enemy during the height of the War of Independence, by building fortified positions for protection against enemy fire. Fortifications Division, September 8, 1948.
The broadside addresses older citizens not engaged in combat, urging them to join the war effort by constructing defensive positions in areas under Arab fire. “The war forced upon us is total. It demands strength and effort from every person in Israel. The young are at the front, fighting the enemy – the elderly are called to auxiliary duties of great responsibility, no less important to the outcome of our war… You will build for the front-line soldier a position from which he will be protected from enemy bullets and shells, and from which he will command the battlefield… Only your arrival at the front lines will give you the true feeling of partnership with our soldiers in their war against the enemy. Accept this call as befits the son of a fighting people – encourage your comrades to fulfill it with faith and confidence in our victory. Fortifications Division, District Headquarters.”
During the War of Independence, with many of the young men drafted into the ranks of the Palmach, Haganah, and the army, the older civilian population bore a heavy responsibility for defending settlements. Men and women of middle age and the elderly took an active role in constructing fortifications, digging communication trenches, building firing positions, erecting sandbag barriers, and often supervising the younger people who remained behind. In isolated settlements, it was frequently the older residents who stood at the forefront of activity: digging with bare hands, hauling stones, filling sacks with soil, and assisting at night in laying mines and preparing for attacks — often under fire, and with unmatched dedication. Their contribution was critical in maintaining defensive lines and preparing for siege conditions.
24×16 cm. Light creases. Very good condition.
“The Zohar and Ar”i City of Safed Celebrates its liberation and victory” – Kol Tzfat – celebratory issue announcing the lifting of the Arab siege and the city’s liberation during the War of Independence. “Published by order of the Commander of the City of Safed on behalf of the Hebrew Defense Organization in Eretz Israel.” The issue’s title was printed in gold ink in honor of the liberation of Safed, which had been under Arab siege. Safed, May 12, 1948.
At the top of the issue, the editorial reads: “The great day we longed for has arrived. Safed, the holy city, capital of the Galilee, has been liberated. Few stood against many—Safed’s fighters held their ground with supreme bravery against the enemy’s superior force. Courage, sacrifice, and boundless devotion brought about this great victory. A blue and white flag was raised over the Canaan Police fortress. The besieged city of Safed is free. The road into the heart of the country has been opened. The enemy has suffered a crushing defeat. His downfall turned into a panicked flight. Into our hands fell vast quantities of weapons and ammunition. The spoils are considerable. With restrained fury and silent pain, on this day of our joy, we remember all our precious fallen who gave their lives for the liberation of our city and did not live to see this day of triumph. The Jews of Safed and their defenders bow their heads in their memory. A heartfelt brotherly blessing from the liberated Safed is extended to its defenders and liberators, and to the entire Yishuv standing in battle across the land. In the liberation of our land and the establishment of the Hebrew state, we celebrate this victory day.”
Further in the issue appear verses of joy and triumph: “זה היום קוינו לו נגילה ונשמחה בו!”, “ודבר אלוקינו יקום לעולם”, “ורדפתם את אויביכם”, and more. The issue details how the entire city was captured by the Haganah forces.
The Battle of Safed in the War of Independence was fought from April 16 to May 11, 1948, between the Jewish defense forces and the Arab Liberation Army. The battle ended in a Jewish victory, after which the Arab population of Safed left the city. The following day, the issue presented here was published, proclaiming the Jewish victory.
The newspaper Kol Tzfat was established by order of the city’s commander, Meir Meivar, out of concern over the possibility of a mass Jewish exodus from Safed during the war. Its writers were stationed at the Haganah headquarters, and between January and May 1948, eleven issues were printed containing militant messages for the residents of Safed. These issues played a significant role in reducing fear among the Jewish population and distributing vital information during the intense battles.
[1] leaf. Minor fold marks. Good condition.
The Treatment of Jews in Egypt and Iraq – Detailed official report on the persecution of Jews in Middle Eastern countries following the declaration of the State of Israel, and in the months leading up to it. Published by the World Jewish Congress. New York, December 1948. Rare.
Following the UN resolution on the partition of Palestine in November 1947, an outbreak of violence erupted against Jews in various Muslim countries—including the massacre in Aden, riots in Iran and North Africa, and additional pogroms. While the physical violence subsided in some regions, economic discrimination against Jews persisted in countries such as Syria and Lebanon. Egypt and Iraq waged a “war on two fronts”: one, a military campaign against the State of Israel, in which they suffered defeat; the other, an internal war against their own Jewish citizens, where they proved more “successful.” The condition of the Jewish communities in both countries deteriorated rapidly, reaching the point of existential threat to these ancient communities.
The present booklet is, in effect, a real-time report providing detailed information on the persecution of Jews in these countries. “What is taking place in Egypt and Iraq is nothing less than a deliberate and calculated plan to destroy a helpless minority. The aim of this booklet is to draw the attention of the world to the tragic plight of the Jews in these countries, and to point to the real causes and full extent of the acts of violence and discrimination carried out in recent months.” (from the foreword).
The report describes acts of persecution and violence directed at Jews beginning on the very day of the UN resolution on the Partition Plan—November 29, 1947. In Cairo, police forces raided Jewish homes and numerous individuals were arrested. A press campaign was launched against the Jews, accusing them of planning “horrific crimes” against Arabs in order to weaken Arab resolve to fight. At the same time, Egypt passed a swift piece of legislation prepared by the Political Committee of the Arab League, which authorized the imprisonment of active Zionists, the confiscation of their property, and the freezing of most Jewish assets starting in early May 1948. That same month, the Egyptian authorities began detaining Jews in the building of the Italian School on Fouad Al-Awal Street in Cairo, after subjecting them to secret police surveillance. Jews were accused of Zionist activity, some 1,300 were arrested.
In addition, all Jewish gatherings, including those in synagogues—were banned, and Jewish communities and organizations were required to submit the names and addresses of their members. In June, the wave of terror continued, with arrests carried out based on anonymous denunciations, often without any pretext. On June 20, an explosion destroyed Jewish homes in the Haret el-Karaim neighborhood, killing over 20 people. The authorities classified the massacre as an “unplanned murder by unknown perpetrators.” Subsequently, Jews were attacked in the streets, Jewish-owned shops were set on fire, and Egyptian hospitals began to fill with Jewish victims of the pogroms. The report details numerous incidents of violence, including both organized and spontaneous lynchings of Jews that took place in Egypt in May–June 1948, while the Egyptian government and police did nothing to stop the riots—and in some cases, actively incited them.
The second part of the report focuses on the antisemitic events and persecution of Jews that took place in Iraq during those same months. The report details how the situation of the 120,000 to 150,000 Jews living in Iraq was even more severe than that of the Jews in Egypt, as their isolation had begun even earlier. Cultural and economic discrimination had been official policy of the independent Iraqi government almost since its establishment in 1932. Efforts were made to push Jews out of commerce, administration, and the professions; Jewish students were denied admission to high schools and universities; Jewish schools were stripped of state subsidies, and the teaching of Hebrew and the Bible was banned. The pro-Axis revolt of 1941 was accompanied by a pogrom in Baghdad, during which, according to official reports, 110 Jews were killed, hundreds were injured, hundreds of Jewish businesses were looted, and 911 Jewish homes were destroyed. Unofficial estimates placed the death toll at 150 and the number of wounded at over 700, while the material damage was estimated at 750,000 dinars, approximately three million dollars. Since then, sporadic acts of individual violence had continued. A new outbreak of mass violence occurred in Baghdad in early July 1946, when hundreds of Jews were injured and numerous Jewish shops were looted. Beginning in 1947, restrictions were enforced on Jews wishing to leave Iraq. Exit visas were routinely denied; and when granted, Jews were required to deposit an exorbitant sum—$8,000 at the time—which would be confiscated if they failed to return within a designated period. In July 1948, all Jewish cultural activity was brought to a complete halt. A sustained and organized anti-Jewish campaign was waged through radio broadcasts, the press, mosques, and in the streets.
The Iraqi House of Representatives passed a law stipulating that anyone found engaging in Zionist activity would be punished by death, or at the very least, a minimum sentence of seven years in prison. According to reliable sources, the Iraqi government took severe measures against the Jewish population by freezing their property and goods, and detaining between 400 and 500 individuals in internment camps on the accusation of having purchased property in Israel. Senators and high-ranking government officials were placed under house arrest. Dozens of Jews were sentenced to various prison terms for allegedly expressing sympathy for or maintaining ties with Zionists. Numerous additional cases of persecution were also reported.
This wave of persecution reflected a hostile reaction to the very existence of the State of Israel and attempted to link the Jews of the Middle East with Zionism, causing severe harm to a civilian population that had been part of these countries for centuries.
23 pages. Stain on the cover. Good – very good condition.
Historic letter from David Ben-Gurion to then-IDF Chief of Staff Mordechai Maklef (the third Chief of Staff of the IDF, 1952–1953), in which Ben-Gurion outlines the vision for building the Israel Defense Forces and instructs that all soldiers not essential to the war effort be released from military service in favor of supporting the civilian effort. Typewritten on official Prime Minister of Israel letterhead and signed in Ben-Gurion’s own hand. Includes minor handwritten corrections within the body of the letter by Ben-Gurion himself. Jerusalem, December 8, 1952.
In his letter, David Ben-Gurion explains to Chief of Staff Mordechai Maklef the proper distribution of national manpower between military and civilian needs. He emphasizes that Israel’s security rests not solely on the strength of its army, but on the overall capacity of the nation—which includes the economy, the workforce, and national morale, all of which together constitute the true power of the people. Ben-Gurion stresses that the army is not the sole guarantor of Israel’s security. While its role is to remain prepared to repel a sudden enemy invasion, he asserts that if the army does not require certain soldiers for that purpose, they must be released to contribute to the country’s economy and civilian infrastructure.
He outlines a series of concrete directives in this spirit: “No fewer than three thousand civilian employees in the army must be cut, and all functionaries (whether soldiers or civilians) whose work need not be carried out specifically within the military framework – and can instead be done in civilian workshops or by private contractors – must be eliminated.” He continues: “The peak number of personnel in the standing army exceeds both necessity and capacity, and must be reduced by two thousand. All inefficient and non-essential personnel must be released.” From an economic standpoint, Ben-Gurion states: “All conscripts whose families require substantial financial support from the army after basic training must be discharged—except for those with essential skills needed by the military.” He concludes by instructing the Chief of Staff to eliminate all redundancy within the security services.
Ben-Gurion’s worldview, as expressed in this letter, went against the current at a time when the defense establishment was calling for ever-increasing recruitment, presenting the IDF as the most crucial organ of the State of Israel. Although Ben-Gurion himself coined the term “People’s Army, ” he was equally committed to setting clear boundaries for it. In 1952, the young State of Israel faced a dual challenge: on one hand, a persistent security threat from hostile neighboring countries; on the other, the immense task of building an economy and society almost from scratch, while absorbing massive waves of immigration. The IDF was still in its formative years, yet had already become a structured institution with a standing army, compulsory service, and an expanding internal civilian support system. Against this backdrop, Ben-Gurion- then Prime Minister and Minister of Defense – emphasized that Israel’s security did not depend solely on military power, but on the combined strength of the entire nation: the economy, the workforce, national morale, and civil resilience. In his 1952 letter, he sought to shape the IDF as an efficient, measured force – attentive to the civilian needs of a developing state and fully aware of its proper limits. His policy reflected a rational and systemic approach, viewing a strong army not as one that simply amasses manpower, but as one that understands its role within the delicate balance between defense and national development. Releasing soldiers whose service disrupted this balance was, in his eyes, a necessary step toward that goal.
[2] pages. 28×22 cm. Official letterhead. Filing holes. Good condition.
An especially harsh letter sent by journalist Malchiel Gruenwald to Dr. Moshe Keren (reporter and political commentator for Haaretz) against Israel Kastner, at the height of the affair that shook the State of Israel, following the verdict in his trial, in which Judge Benjamin Halevi ruled that Kastner had “sold his soul to the devil” by collaborating with the Nazis in the extermination of Hungarian Jewry and in saving the war criminal Kurt Becher from punishment. July 10, 1955. Typewritten and signed in Gruenwald’s handwriting. In German.
The letter was sent to Dr. Keren following a cold response he published after the verdict was handed down in the Kastner trial. In his letter, Gruenwald expresses himself in extremely harsh terms against Kastner and his character, writing: “In his entire life, this man has never worked a single hour in public service, always only for money and… other things, because a pathological card player and gambler, a scoundrel, a drunkard, a womanizer can never have enough money. It must be said, to the credit of my attorney, that out of caution, he did not wish to bring up ‘old matters, ‘ otherwise the trial would still not be over. I can present to you dozens of people living here who fell victim to his passport and document fraud already in the early 1930s. He directly endangered the lives of these people when they fled Cluj as military refugees, and the funds entrusted to him were lost. Time will tell, indeed, it is entirely possible that all these matters will be reopened in the event of further investigation, and the case of the ‘missing’ relief packages for the starving and freezing forced laborers in southern Russia, which led to a lengthy disciplinary inquiry (and a pathetically miserable cover-up), etc. all to protect the ‘public figure.’ Do take the trouble to look up my records, and perhaps you will witness your own miracles. Perhaps you are also interested in the scandalous and close connection between Kastner and the wild antisemite Dr. Vajah-Voevoda Sándor in Transylvania. John was also interested in gathering information on the subject and asking Kastner why he could say to the judge that he does not know ‘where, with which party, his place is in Israel’ when it was proven that, after his suspiciously late arrival here, he sought connections with various parties, even with Lehi, in exchange for the promise of a well-paid position abroad? A man who belonged to Mapai abroad with a regular salary doesn’t know where his place is in Israel. Is he not a careerist of the worst kind?” I do not wish to burden you with further ominous matters, but perhaps, as the editor of a respected newspaper, you should consider whether you have chosen the right approach in addressing Kastner’s wrongdoings…
Malchiel Gruenwald”.
Israel Rudolf Kastner – journalist, jurist, and Zionist activist in Hungary during the Holocaust. He is best known for his efforts to rescue Hungarian Jews, most notably by leading the train that departed Budapest for Switzerland in June 1944 – through which approximately 1,684 Jews were saved, in coordination with Adolf Eichmann and members of the SS. After immigrating to Israel, Kastner became the spokesman for the Ministry of Trade and Industry and a political activist within Mapai. However, in 1952, the weekly newspaper HaOlam HaZeh published an article harshly criticizing him and accusing him of collaboration with the Nazis. Journalist Malchiel Gruenwald, in his duplicated bulletin titled Letters to Mizrachi Members, accused Kastner of collaborating with the Nazis, allegedly having “sold his soul to the devil” to save his close associates while concealing information about the fate of Hungarian Jewry. The State of Israel chose to prosecute Gruenwald for libel, effectively making Kastner a kind of prosecutor on behalf of the state. On June 22, 1955, Judge Benjamin Halevi ruled that “Kastner sold his soul to the devil” – an extremely severe statement, seen as a vindication of Gruenwald’s claims. Halevi determined that Kastner had withheld information from Hungarian Jews about their fate in the extermination camps, and that his postwar testimony in favor of Nazi war criminal Kurt Becher pointed to “collaboration.” The ruling caused a public uproar in Israel. The ruling Mapai government, which had supported Kastner, came under fierce attack. Kastner became a public symbol of “concealing the truth” and “governmental indifference.” In March 1957, Kastner was assassinated in Tel Aviv by a right-wing extremist. After his death, the Supreme Court overturned the main aspects of the ruling. It was determined that Gruenwald had indeed defamed Kastner, and that there was no evidence of actual “collaboration” with the Nazis. The affair sharpened the political divide in Israel between right and left, between differing attitudes toward the Holocaust, and between personal morality and collective survival.
[2] leaves. 28×21 cm. Good condition.
Een millioen “geland”. En velen zullen volgen . De immigratie naar Israel voor de Collectieve Israel Actie-Keren Hajesod uitgegeven door de jewish Agency te Jeruzalem – One million have “landed”. and many will follow in their footsteps. Aliyah to Israel. Aliyah to the country following the Israeli collective activity-Keren Hayesod. Booklet to encourage immigration to Eretz Israel marking the aliyah of one million Jews in the first twelve years since the founding of the State of Israel, accompanied by rare photographs of immigrants from their various communities, published by the Jewish Agency in Jerusalem. The Netherlands 1961. Dutch.
A booklet published in The Netherlands with the aim of encouraging immigration to Israel. The booklet reviews the great Aliyah enterprise in the early years of the state with the assistance of Keren Hayesod. Included is a table of the number of immigrants to the country from the different countries of Europe, Muslim countries, and other states between 1948 and 1961. The booklet contains a detailed review of the way in which new immigrants are handled upon their arrival in the country, dispersal of immigrants in villages and towns, immigrant integration into employment, immigrant integration into agricultural work, ways of assisting Jews to emigrate and leave their countries of residence in favor of aliyah to Eretz Israel, and more. Throughout all the pages of the booklet are rare historical photographs of the immigrants themselves from their diaspora communities, the excitement about their aliyah to the country, their dispersal in cities and villages and integration into Israeli employment.
Extremely rare booklet. Does not appear in the global library catalog world cat.
[29] p. 23 cm. Good condition.
The Law of Army Conscription: with Addenda. Translated from the original Turkish. Dated 1332 according to the Ottoman calendar – 1914, on the eve of World War I (Was printed in 1916, as evident from the content). Laws of the Ottoman Army. The booklet was printed for the Jewish public in the Land of Israel in preparation for the conscription of Ottoman subjects into the army following the outbreak of the war. Azriel Press, Jerusalem – first edition. Rare.
The late 19th- and early 20th-century Ottoman army underwent significant reforms as part of broader modernization efforts. In 1908, following the Young Turks’ revolution, general conscription laws were enacted, introducing, for the first time, mandatory military service for minority populations, including Jews. On the eve of World War I (1914–1918), even before the Ottoman Empire officially entered the war alongside Germany, widespread conscription of local populations was implemented. The draft met with strong resistance from the Jewish community in the Land of Israel, which often sought to avoid service through various means, emigration, evasion, or paying exemption fees. The Ottoman army was multiethnic, comprising soldiers from across the empire – Arabs, Turks, Kurds, Jews, Christians, Balkans, and others. Despite its challenges, it played a significant role in the Middle Eastern theaters of war.
Among the many laws included in this booklet are the following: “Every Ottoman male is, according to this law, subject to military duty. The only exception is the imperial family of Ottoman lineage.” Military service was mandatory from the age of 18. The booklet outlines enlistment criteria, conditions for exemption, unit assignments, military taxation, special regulations for short-term service, and the conscription schedule. A section on physical requirements for combat service states: “The recruit is weighed and measured for height and chest circumference. A soldier for weapon-bearing service must be in excellent health, of stature, and physically fit according to the law – capable of bearing the hardships of war…”. Strict penalties are established for draft evasion. One clause states:
“Those caught after the age of 35, even if deemed fit for service, will not be placed in combat units but will be assigned to five years of construction and roadwork, and for the remaining years of military obligation will be taxed accordingly.” The booklet also details exemption payments (kofer nefesh), and more.
45 pages. Original softcover. Very good condition.
A Book of Jewish Thoughts for Jewish Soldiers & Sailors: Selected and Arranged – by Rabbi J. H. Hertz, Chief Rabbi of Great Britain. Published by Eyre & Spottiswoode, Ltd., London, 1917 – third edition, including many passages not found in previous editions. A pocket-sized booklet of Jewish prayer and thought, specially printed for Jewish sailors and soldiers serving in the British Army during World War I.
A pocket-sized booklet for the Hebrew soldier, rich in content and encompassing the life of the Jew. In the introduction, Chief Rabbi Hertz dedicates the book “to my fellow Jews in active service” and writes:
I send you this little book of Jewish thoughts, and hope that it may reach every Jewish sailor and soldier in His Majesty’s service. It brings to you the eternal message of our sacred faith; memories of Jewish loyalty and martyrdom in the service of G-d and humanity throughout the ages; as well as reflections on the deeper issues of this world conflict, as seen through the eyes of Judaism. Furthermore, on every sacred occasion of the Jewish year, you will find in it an echo of some characteristic note of the festival, to remind you of Israel’s eternity and His Law… My prayers and the prayers of all the House of Israel are with you: may your going out and coming in be in peace…”.
The booklet is composed of five chapters: The Jewish Warrior – includes verses of Jewish heroism and passages on the Jews’ love for England and their contribution to the Kingdom; Men of the Book – on the secret of the Jewish people’s eternity throughout the ages; The Voice of Prayer – excerpts from the daily and holiday prayer books, as well as moral and contemplative passages related to all Jewish festivals; The Voice of Wisdom – Jewish ethics, the value of human life as expressed by Jewish sages through the generations, including excerpts from the wisdom of Solomon, Maimonides, the Zohar, Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, and also quotations from Theodor Herzl, Max Nordau, and others on the Zionist movement and its aims (“The Zionist movement is today the greatest popular movement the Jewish people has ever known” – from the words of Lucien Wolf); and a sources index. The second edition of the booklet also included a chapter on the “Testimony of the Nations, ” in which Rabbi Hertz brought quotes from non-Jewish authors in praise of the Jewish people. In the present edition, he chose to omit this chapter.
180 pp. 13 cm. Original cover. Light creases on some pages. Very good condition.