The Ransom of the Jews: The Story of the Extraordinary Secret Bargain Between Romania and Israel

After the Holocaust, Romania allowed 370,000 Jews to leave for Palestine and Israel, in a secret exchange that lasted until the fall of the Communist regime. Radu Ioanid's book reveals the elaborate mechanisms and shadowy figures responsible, and how it was successful for decades.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 29 June 2021
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield

After the Holocaust, the 370,000 Jews of Romania who survived became a significant source of immigration for the newly established state of Israel. Almost all of them left their homeland to settle in Palestine and Israel. Romania's decision to allow its Jews to leave was primarily driven by practical considerations. Israel paid for them, and Romania sought to gain influence in the Middle East. On the other hand, Israel saw this as an opportunity to rescue a community facing economic and cultural extinction while also strengthening itself with a massive influx of new immigrants.

Radu Ioanid delves into the secret history of the longest and most expensive ransom arrangement in recent times. This updated edition, based on newly declassified documents from the archives of the Romanian secret police, follows Israel's long and expensive ransom arrangement with Communist Romania. Ioanid unravels the intricate mechanisms that made this arrangement successful for decades, the shadowy figures involved, and the secret channels of communication and payment. The book unfolds like a thrilling Cold-War thriller, providing a full and startling account of an unprecedented slave trade.

The story begins in 1948, when Romania's Communist regime came to power. The regime, led by Nicolae Ceaușescu, was determined to rid the country of its Jewish population, which it saw as a threat to its power and control. Under Ceaușescu's leadership, the Romanian secret police, known as the Securitate, launched a campaign of persecution and violence against the Jewish community. Thousands of Jews were arrested, tortured, and executed, and their property was confiscated.

Despite the brutal conditions, a small group of Jews managed to survive and escape Romania. They sought refuge in Israel, where they were welcomed with open arms. However, Israel faced a significant challenge in providing for the needs of these new immigrants. The country was already struggling to cope with the influx of Holocaust survivors and the ongoing conflict with neighboring Arab countries.

To address this challenge, Israel turned to Romania for help. In 1950, Israel's foreign minister, David Ben-Gurion, approached Ceaușescu with a proposal. Israel would pay Romania a ransom for the return of its Jewish population. Ceaușescu, who was eager to rid himself of the Jewish population, agreed to the proposal.

The ransom arrangement was complex and multifaceted. Israel paid Romania a substantial sum of money, which was used to finance the escape of Jews from Romania. In return, Romania agreed to allow the Jews to leave the country and settle in Israel. The agreement also included a secret clause that allowed Romania to retain a portion of the ransom money, which it used to finance its covert operations in the Middle East.

The arrangement was kept secret for decades, and only a few people knew about it. The Romanian secret police, who were responsible for implementing the arrangement, were closely monitored by the Soviet Union, which was concerned about the implications of Israel's actions in the Middle East. The Soviet Union also provided financial support to Romania, which helped to keep the arrangement in place.

However, the arrangement began to unravel in the late 1980s, as the Soviet Union began to collapse. Ceaușescu, who had been in power for decades, was overthrown in a revolution in 1989. With the fall of the Communist regime, the secret clause in the ransom agreement became public knowledge. Israel was outraged, and the Romanian government was forced to apologize for its actions.

The end of the arrangement marked a significant turning point in the history of the Jewish community in Romania. Thousands of Jews who had been trapped in Romania for decades were finally able to leave and settle in Israel. The experience of the Holocaust had left a deep scar on the Jewish community, and the ransom arrangement provided a sense of closure and hope.

In conclusion, the story of Israel's long and expensive ransom arrangement with Communist Romania is a complex and fascinating tale of survival, resilience, and sacrifice. It highlights the complex relationship between Israel and the Middle East, as well as the enduring impact of the Holocaust on the Jewish community. Radu Ioanid's book provides a detailed account of this hidden exchange, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms that made it successful for decades and the shadowy figures responsible. The book is a must-read for anyone interested in history, politics, and the human cost of war.

Weight: 812g
Dimension: 226 x 163 x 38 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538140734
Edition number: Second Edition