On 'Zionism in the Age of the Dictators'

"Zionism in the Age of the Dictators" is a controversial book by Lenni Brenner, first published in 1983. Brenner, a Marxist historian and political activist, explores the relationship between Zionist leaders and various authoritarian regimes during the early and mid-20th century, particularly Nazi Germany and fascist Italy.

Main Themes:

Zionist-Nazi Cooperation: One of the book’s most controversial arguments is the suggestion that certain Zionist leaders collaborated with Nazi officials in the 1930s. Brenner discusses the Haavara Agreement, a 1933 pact between the Zionist Federation of Germany and Nazi Germany that allowed for the emigration of German Jews to Palestine in exchange for transferring Jewish assets out of the country.

Critique of Zionist Leadership: Brenner argues that mainstream Zionist leaders at the time prioritized establishing a Jewish state in Palestine over rescuing Jews from Nazi persecution. He criticizes them for not being more actively involved in saving European Jewry during the Holocaust and focuses on the practical compromises they made in their dealings with dictatorial regimes.

Anti-fascist Movements and Jewish Resistance: In contrast to the Zionist leadership, Brenner highlights Jewish resistance movements and leftist groups that opposed both Zionism and fascism. He argues that these groups were more focused on combating totalitarianism than the Zionist organizations were.

Historical Context: Brenner places Zionism within the broader context of European political ideologies at the time, including fascism, socialism, and nationalism. He examines the ways in which Zionist leaders, particularly those in Europe, navigated the rise of dictatorial powers.

Controversy:

The book has been criticized for its provocative claims and selective reading of historical evidence. While it's true that there was contact between some Zionist leaders and the Nazis, most historians view these as attempts at pragmatism under difficult circumstances rather than active collaboration with genocidal regimes.

Brenner's perspective is deeply rooted in left-wing, anti-imperialist critiques of Zionism. As such, it's often referenced in debates about Zionism, Israeli history, and Holocaust studies, but it is not considered a mainstream academic work.

Reception:

The book was highly controversial upon its release and remains divisive. It has been embraced by some critics of Israel, especially in far-left and anti-Zionist circles, but it has been condemned by many scholars as overly simplistic and misleading.

Brenner's work is still cited today in discussions on the complexities of Zionism's history and its interaction with authoritarian regimes, but readers should approach it with an awareness of its ideological underpinnings and its reception in the broader field of historical scholarship.