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: Paperback / softback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 23 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. However, the Jews of Romania had already experienced persecution and discrimination under the previous regime, and many were willing to risk their lives to escape to Israel.

Israel, for its part, was willing to pay a high price to secure the release of its citizens. The country had just emerged from the Holocaust and was in desperate need of new immigrants to rebuild its economy and society. The government of Israel established a secret committee, known as the "Committee for the Rescue of Jewish People," to negotiate with Romania's Communist regime.

The negotiations were complex and fraught with danger. Romania's leaders were determined to keep the Jewish population in the country, while Israel was willing to offer a substantial ransom for their release. The two sides eventually reached an agreement, but the details were kept secret until the fall of the Communist regime in 1989.

Under the agreement, Israel paid Romania a total of $100 million in exchange for the release of its Jewish citizens. The money was paid through a series of secret channels, including the Swiss Bank and the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad. The Jewish community in Israel was ecstatic about the news, and many saw it as a symbol of Israel's strength and resilience in the face of adversity.

However, the arrangement was not without its controversies. Some critics argued that Israel should have refused to pay the ransom, arguing that it was morally wrong to reward the Communist regime for its persecution of Jews. Others argued that the money should have been used to support the Jewish community in Romania, rather than being sent to Israel.

Despite these criticisms, the ransom arrangement remained a significant event in the history of the Holocaust and the Jewish community. It demonstrated the power of diplomacy and the willingness of countries to come together to protect the rights and dignity of individuals threatened by persecution and violence.

In conclusion, the story of Israel's long and expensive ransom arrangement with Communist Romania is a fascinating and complex one. It highlights the power of diplomacy, the resilience of the Jewish community, and the moral dilemmas that arise when dealing with regimes that have committed atrocities against their own people. Radu Ioanid's book provides a detailed account of this secret exchange, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms that made it successful for decades and the shadowy figures responsible for it. This updated edition, based on newly declassified documents, is a valuable addition to the literature on the Holocaust and the Jewish community, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of never forgetting the horrors of the past and the ongoing struggle for human rights and dignity.

Weight: 644g
Dimension: 230 x 153 x 32 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781538140741
Edition number: Second Edition