Diamonds and War: State, Capital, and Labor in British-Ruled Palestine

This book is the first in English to tell the story of the formation of one of the world's main strongholds of diamond production and trade in Palestine during the 1930s and 1940s. It discusses the history of the diamond-cutting industry, which is characterized by a long-standing Jewish presence, and proposes a more nuanced picture of the uncritical approach to the strict boundaries of ethnic-based occupational communities. It also recasts the craft cultures inseparability from international politics during a period of war and transformation of empire.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 362 pages
Publication date: 14 July 2023
Publisher: Berghahn Books

The intricate tapestry of diamond mining, trading, financial institutions, and cultural expressions as luxury items has captivated the attention of historians, economists, social scientists, and international relations experts. In a groundbreaking work, this book delves into the untold story of the formation of one of the world's foremost diamond production and trade hubs in Palestine during the 1930s and 1940s. Drawing upon previously unseen historical documents discovered in archives across Belgium, England, Israel, the Netherlands, and the United States, this English-language masterpiece offers a fresh perspective on the industry's origins.

The history of the diamond-cutting industry, characterized by a longstanding States, is presented as a social history intricately woven into the international political economy of its time. The genesis of this industry in Palestine is situated within a broad continuum, spanning the geographic and economic dislocations of Dutch, Belgian, and German diamond-cutting centers. By adopting a micro-historical and interdisciplinary approach, the story of the diamond industry in Mandate Palestine presents a more nuanced portrayal of the prevailing mindset that uncritically adhered to strict boundaries within ethnic-based occupational communities.

This book unravels the intricate Middle-Eastern pattern of state intervention in empowering private capital, challenging the notion of their separation from international politics during a period of war and empire transformation. It sheds light on the interconnectedness of these craft cultures and their role in shaping the geopolitical landscape of the time. Through meticulous research and analysis, this book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of the complex dynamics of the diamond industry and its profound impact on the world.

ISBN-13: 9781800739437