Jewish Internationalism and Human Rights after the Holocaust

In the second half of the 20th century, Jewish internationalism shifted from constraining nation-states to cementing Israel's legitimacy and status as a haven for refugees, due to the Holocaust and the creation of the State of Israel.

Format: Hardback
Length: 310 pages
Publication date: 26 November 2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the tumultuous second half of the 20th century, Nathan A. Kurz delves into the intricate relationship between Jewish internationalism and international rights protection. For nearly a century, Jewish lawyers and advocacy groups in Western Europe and the United States had been at the forefront of pioneering innovative forms of international rights protection, firmly linking the defense of Jews to norms and rules aimed at curbing the most egregious behavior of nation-states. However, in the aftermath of the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel, Jewish activists faced a stark realization: they could no longer promote the same norms, laws, and innovations without fear of them potentially being applied to the Jewish state. To explore this transformative shift, Nathan Kurz employs previously unexamined sources, shedding light on the metamorphosis of Jewish internationalism from a mission to restrain the power of nation-states to one that is singularly focused on solidifying Israel's legitimacy and its status as a sanctuary for refugees from across the Jewish diaspora.

The emergence of the State of Israel brought about a significant change in the dynamics between Jewish internationalism and international rights protection. Prior to the establishment of Israel, Jewish activists had been promoting norms and laws that sought to limit the power of nation-states and protect the rights of Jews worldwide. However, with the creation of Israel, Jewish activists became increasingly concerned that these norms and laws could be used against the Jewish state.

One of the key challenges that Jewish activists faced was the perception that Israel was not being treated fairly by the international community. Many believed that Israel was being singled out for criticism and that its actions were being unfairly scrutinized. This perception led to a sense of frustration and resentment among Jewish activists, who felt that their efforts to promote international rights were being undermined by the perception that Israel was not a legitimate state.

To address this issue, Jewish activists began to focus on cementing Israel's legitimacy and its status as a haven for refugees from across the Jewish diaspora. They sought to demonstrate that Israel was a democratic state that respected human rights and that it was a safe place for Jews to live and practice their religion. They also worked to promote Israel's image as a leader in the fight against anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination.

One of the ways that Jewish activists achieved this was by using previously unexamined sources. They sought to uncover historical documents and other evidence that could support Israel's claims to legitimacy and its status as a haven for refugees. They also worked to build alliances with other organizations and individuals who shared their vision of a just and peaceful world.

One of the most significant alliances that Jewish activists formed was with the United Nations. The United Nations had been established after World War II with the goal of promoting peace and security and protecting the rights of individuals worldwide. Jewish activists worked to build relationships with UN officials and to promote Israel's interests within the UN.

Through their efforts, Jewish activists were able to achieve a number of significant victories. They were able to secure the recognition of Israel as a sovereign state by the United Nations, which was a critical milestone in the country's development. They were also able to secure the passage of a number of UN resolutions that supported Israel's right to exist and its right to defend itself against aggression.

Despite these victories, Jewish activists continued to face challenges in the years that followed. They continued to be concerned about the perception that Israel was not being treated fairly by the international community and they continued to work to promote Israel's legitimacy and its status as a haven for refugees. They also continued to face opposition from those who opposed Israel's existence or its policies.

In conclusion, the relationship between Jewish internationalism and international rights protection has been a complex and evolving one. In the second half of the 20th century, Jewish activists faced a number of challenges as they sought to promote Israel's legitimacy and its status as a haven for refugees. Through their efforts, they were able to achieve a number of significant victories, but they continued to face challenges in the years that followed. As the world continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Jewish activists continue to navigate the complex relationship between their commitment to international rights protection and their support for the State of Israel.

Weight: 566g
Dimension: 161 x 235 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108834926