Judaea Lives Again – The Important Book by the Legal Adviser to the British Mandate Government in Palestine, Norman Bentwich, on the Future of the Land of Israel – Written Towards the End of World War II and Close to the Establishment of the State of Israel. Published by Victor Gollancz, London, 1944. Signed and Dedicated Copy by the Author to Joe Davidson (Possibly the Famous American Sculptor).
“I have sought to describe the renewal of Judaism, as well as of the Jew… and also to suggest the contribution that the life of Judaea can make to a social and spiritual order. It seems too early to propose a specific solution to the political issues between Jews and Arabs that have troubled their relations. But I have tried to fairly examine the perspectives of both peoples and the operation of the international trust… so that each nation will be willing to let the other dwell under its vine and fig tree, ‘and none shall make them afraid.’ What Einstein wrote in 1930, after the murderous Arab outbreak, remains true today: ‘They must come together, despite everything.” (From the introduction).
An Important Publication by Norman Bentwich, Describing the Critical Years of the Jewish People’s National, Cultural, and Social Renewal in the Final Years of World War II in the Land of Israel. The book reviews the ideological, social, and economic efforts of the Zionist movement to reestablish a Jewish national center in the Land of Israel. It describes settlement activities, agricultural development, infrastructure construction, and the challenges faced both locally and internationally. Among other topics, Bentwich details the revival of the Hebrew language, the renewal of the education system, and the growth of Jewish culture in the country. He highlights key milestones such as the establishment of academic institutions like the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which became a symbol of Jewish intellectual revival. As a legal adviser to the British Mandate government, Bentwich also examines the legal aspects of building a Jewish state, the relations with the local Arab community, and British Mandate policies in Palestine. “At the outbreak of World War II, the Jewish-Arab problem seemed almost unsolvable to British policymakers, ” he writes. He points to the naivety and lack of understanding among the British Mandate authorities in its early years, who believed the Jewish-Arab conflict would resolve itself, assuming that both peoples would have a shared interest in coexistence and peace. “The last ten years, unfortunately, have been marked by a continuous deterioration in Jewish-Arab relations, ” he writes, concluding just months before the end of the war:
“At the end of the war, Palestine will become the central issue of global policy.”
He further asserts that a solution to the conflict will only come through the voluntary agreement of both peoples to a shared future of construction and prosperity.
Bentwich expresses optimism regarding the establishment of a sovereign Jewish state in the Land of Israel, envisioning cooperation with neighboring nations. He addresses the challenges faced by the Zionist movement, including opposition from the Arab population, positions of foreign nations, and internal complexities within the Jewish community itself.
The book is accompanied by eight photographic plates, featuring: Cooperative settlement in Nahalal, Jewish fishermen in Haifa Bay, The Jewish community in Degania, Bialik School in Tel Aviv, The headquarters of the Jewish Agency and KKL in Jerusalem, and more.
On the protective page, there is a signed dedication from the author to “Joe Davidson”. It is possible that this refers to Jo Davidson, the famous 20th-century American sculptor, known for creating portraits of notable figures such as Albert Einstein, Woodrow Wilson, and other world leaders.
Norman Bentwich [1883–1971], was born in London to a wealthy and educated Jewish family. His father, Herbert Bentwich, was a lawyer and a key figure in the Zionist movement in Britain. Norman studied law at Cambridge University and later served as Legal Adviser to the British Mandate Government in Palestine from 1921 to 1929. In his role, he was responsible for drafting and implementing Mandate laws, particularly concerning Jewish settlement, while also facing criticism from both Arabs and Jews in Palestine. He was a staunch supporter of Zionism and the revival of the Jewish settlement in the Land of Israel. After leaving his position in the Mandate government, he became a professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, where he founded the Faculty of Law. Bentwich actively promoted Jewish-Arab coexistence, though his moderate stance on the issue sometimes drew criticism from Zionist circles. He was also a prolific writer, publishing dozens of books and articles on legal, historical, and Zionist topics. Among his most notable works are “The Mandates System”, in which he analyzed the international mandate system established after World War I, and his autobiography, “My Seventy-Seven Years”, where he recounted his memories and experiences. Throughout his life, Bentwich embodied the vision of liberal Zionism, advocating for cooperation with Arabs in Palestine and the establishment of a just and equitable society. He also played a significant role in the revival of Hebrew culture and language, educating generations of lawyers and scholars through his academic work.
Norman Bentwich passed away on April 8, 1971. He left behind a lasting legacy in the fields of law, Zionism, and academia, and was one of the most prominent figures of his time in these areas.
191 pages + [8] photographic plates. Original dust jacket. Condition: Good – Very Good.
