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Are You My Homeland?

Annie Weinberg
Glen Allen High School

Introduction
Its 1933 in the city of Krakow, Poland. A woman walks around various parts of the city
and takes in classic scenes of city-life; restaurants, barber shops, post offices, tailors, merchants
and school yards. Just a short walk to one end of the city, and the woman enters the Jewish
Quarter. The Jewish community in Krakow is overwhelming. There are temples, and Hebrews
schools, kosher butcher shops and clothing stores. Children are out playing, mothers and fathers
are watching. Life is relatively comfortable for the 400,000 Jewish people living in this quarter
of Krakow.
Its 1945 in the city of Krakow, Poland after one of the most tragic events in history. The
same woman, a survivor, walks around the main part of the city and does not recognize it. The
restaurants and barber shops are there, but different. The post office is closed. She walks to the
citys edge, to what used to be the Jewish Quarter. The lack of Jewish community in Krakow
overwhelms her. There is close to nothing left. 2,000 Jewish people are living in this quarter of
Krakow, struggling to find refuge.

Where could they all go?

On May 14th 1948, not long after the tragic events of the Holocaust in the 1940s, the State
of Israel was established at Independence Hall in a bomb shelter, and was recognized among
various countries around the world. With this event being so soon after the largest genocide
known to have occurred in history, and with it being primarily a genocide of the Jewish Race

(many other groups were targeted), it is no surprise that the question arises of how much of an
influence, if any, the Holocaust had on establishing the Jewish State. Opinions on this subject
vary greatly, but most focus on a specific aspect of the road to establishment and argue to what
extent it influenced creation. Although the effort to create the State of Israel was prevalent before
the 1930s, the severity of events during the Holocaust as well as the implications that followed
served as catalysts for the establishment and development of the country for the next few
decades and continue to shape it today in a variety of ways.

Prevalence and Promise- Eastern European Jewry and the Idea of a Jewish State Prior to
the Holocaust
The term Zionism is often associated with the push for the creation of a Jewish State in
Israel in the 1940s following the Holocaust, however the Zionist movement was in action long
before this and was merely put into the spotlight in response to anti-Semitic events surrounding
the Holocaust. Following the establishment of the World Zionist Organization in 1897, The
Balfour Declaration in 1917, which stated that Palestine would become a homeland for Jews,
was one of the first examples of strong promise for a Jewish homeland prior to the Holocaust
(Kleinman, 2003). In fact, Palestine was not even the only proposed piece of land for the
homeland. Theodore Herzl originally proposed locating the Jewish Homeland in Argentina
which was referred to as the Andinia Plan. The Ararat City plan was proposed by Mordecai
Manuel Noah which proposed creating a Jewish Homeland in Nigeria. This plan was not widely
accepted and not much continued in the effort. Finally, the British Uganda Program was
proposed which planned to give the Jews of the world a homeland in British East Africa. Joseph
Chamberlain proposed the idea to the Zionist Movement, and was denied eventually. These
suggestions were most often rejected because the historical and biblical relationship to Judaism

was not present. Evyatar Friesel (1996) references the Palestine Mandate and points out that even
during this mandate which was in effect in the early 20s, there was already a moderate
approach to Zionist policy emerging under the leadership of Chaim Weizmann. Kleinman
(2003) also argues that the transfer agreement which occurred between Adolf Hitler and David
Gurion in 1933 was another example of a desire to start bringing Jews from around the world to
Palestine and eventually establish a homeland. This agreement allowed Jews to leave Eastern
European countries prior to the Holocaust in exchange for their possessions. However before the
Holocaust, especially in countries such as Poland, life for Jews was far more stable and
comfortable than it had been in past centuries. In the late 1500s, they called Poland a paradise
for the Jews. The Act of the Warsaw Confederation even stated that peace be kept between
people of different faith and liturgy and this included the Jewish faith. Further, magnate Jan
Zamoyskis tolerance for the Jewish community made it possible for them to enjoy the kings
protection in royal towns, giving them more freedom and status than they had experienced in
centuries in other countries such as Spain. They were involved in the nobility and were an
integral part of forming Polish economy (Museum of Polish Jewry). Because of this novel
security they were experiencing, many Jews did not want to travel to Palestine to start a new life
and face even more conflict. Many knew that British policy involving territorial ghettoes
made it difficult for Jews to achieve a majority in Palestine, even with the Jewish community
being close to half a million (Friesel 1996). This was both a motivator and a hurdle for Eastern
European Jews. It did prompt further political activism in regards to a conversation about
establishing Israel as a Jewish homeland and taking over control from Great Britain. More
people became aware of the possible benefits and arguments for the Jewish State. However it
also scared many from picking up their lives and moving to Palestine to start anew. Years of

migrating from countries that had persecuted the Jewish faith left people tired and unwilling to
switch from a seemingly positive experience in Eastern Europe. Unfortunately, many people
decided to stay in Europe in the end. It is hard to say what would have happened had the Zionist
effort been more impactful, and more Jewish people had left Eastern Europe before the Nazi
Party took over. Most likely, the Holocaust would have happened either way, but more lives
would most certainly have been saved had people felt comfortable moving to Palestine.

Shifting the Viewpoint, - Events of the Holocaust and their Impact

The timeline of events that occurred during the Holocaust which in many ways began in
1933 and progressed until 1942, included many intense human atrocities which were brought up
later to convince nations of a need for Israel . Many argue the concentration camps themselves
were the major factor in convincing people of this. Evidence pointing to persecution as an
influence according to Kleinman (2003) can be seen even before the actual extermination began.
Between 1933 and 1938, over 170,000 Jews fled to Palestine to retreat from the awful actions of
the Nazi party by means of legalities like the Transfer Agreement. This major influx of Jews in
Palestine further secured the idea of establishing the country as their own. Nahum Goldman,
President of the World Jewish Congress shared his perspective remarking that without Auschwitz
there would be no Israel (Kleinman, 2003). This follows the basic argument that images and
recounts of human torture and abuse in the camps moved nations the fastest. Experiences of
great suffering [have] been recognized as warranting creation or recognition of a homeland for the
targeted group and this point, referencing East Timor and the Kurdish protected zone, supported

a Jewish State very well (Jones, n.d), citing places that were established to protect other races and
minorities from oppression.
On the other hand, John Spritzler (2007), a Research Scientist in the Department of
Biostatistics at Harvard takes the opposite stance, arguing that The Holocaust is no more a
reason for Jews to have a state of their own than slavery is a reason for African Americans to
have a pure Black state of their own. This is a valid argument, and no one can claim that
one degradation of a people is worse than another. However perhaps another factor in the
difference between the two could be attributed to the lack of international communication
during the long period of slavery in the US. Being exposed to the autocracies of the Holocaust
may have been more viable in 1940 following the establishment of United Nations groups or
other international communication organizations. But again, there is no saying that the Jewish
people deserve more than another targeted minority such as the African Americans who
suffered immensely as well. The only other difference might come with the knowledge that
the Jewish State in Palestine was a dream long before the Holocaust and this tragic event was
just the tip of the iceberg for Jews around the world.
Beyond the awful aspects of genocide, many argue that the prompting of World War II
played a major role in shifting the viewpoint of the necessity of Israel. Kleinman (2003) points
out that without World War II, Britains army would have been much stronger and focused in
Palestine, and Zionist resistance occurring there would not have been as successful in protesting.
Additionally the general attention that a world war attracted made more people tune in to the
injustice occurring in Europe. At the conclusion of the Holocaust, the American Emergency
Committee for Zionist Affairs took action to help bring Israel to a speedier establishment.
According to Friesel the Biltmore Program in 1942 referenced the Holocaust and mentioned 2

to 4 million Jews uprooted from their homes but did not focus entirely on it, showing that even
during the Holocaust there was still separate reasoning for a push for creation as well. Goldman
was more Holocaust oriented at the program arguing the majority [of Jews] would not survive
the war and would struggle to revitalize their communities after the tragic events, and would
need a fresh start (Friesel, 1996). However, he also refers to the UN meeting in 1947,
commenting that there was very little indication in the opinions expressed by the different
nations to show that the Holocaust had influenced their positions. Avi Shlaim, a Professor of
International Relations at St. Anthonys college wrote in his book The Iron Wall (2001)
"The tragedy of European Jewry became a source of strength for Zionism. The
moral case for a home for the Jewish people in Palestine was widely accepted
from the beginning; after the Holocaust it became unassailable.On the one
hand, the Holocaust confirmed the conviction of the Zionist that they had
justice on their side in the struggle for Palestine; on the other, it converted
international public opinion to the idea of an independent Jewish State.
According to the Genocide Text (Jones, n.d), intensive slaughter, however, could not eliminate
European Jewry in a reasonable time, causing the Nazis to find other ways of exterminating
the race. Because of this intensity, when the Holocaust was later analyzed it could be concluded
that these events were taken into consideration when deciding to establish the State of Israel.
Lead officers at the death camp Majdanek were so cruel they shot 80,000 victims one day and
buried them in pits, which were visible when liberation began. At this same death camp, the gas
chambers stood completely ready to go when the liberators came, and they stand today ready for
operation in less than thirty hours. Shoes, hair, baby clothes, suitcases, and burned down gas
chambers were left over in all of the camps with the exception of Treblinka. Even today, 70 years

after liberation, a walk through Auschwitz is gut wrenching and difficult, not just for a Jewish
person, but for anyone. Something has to be said for the awful sights that soldiers were exposed
to when they liberated the camps. Later, their testimonies at hearings was most definitely a
strong support for the necessity of a safe haven for the Jews of Europe.

Where Do we Go from Here? - Development of Israeli Life and Culture in Relation to the
Holocaust
After liberation began in 1945, European Jews were forced to start completely over with
their lives, and for many, Israel was the most promising, meaningful, and understandable choice
for a new and safe home. Many historians point to various aspects of the Holocaust as kickstarters for developing the State of Israel focusing on the sheer population influx. Sandra
Williams (1993) points out that for the first time, Public opinion in US was swayed intensely
generating greater sympathy for the Jews in Europe whose homes were destroyed and
communitiescompletely taken over. Having support from the United States was a pivotal
moment for Zionists across the globe. Thus President Truman demanded that 100,000 survivors
be let into Israel. According to Kleinman, over 325,000 European Jews came to Israel between
1948 and 1951 and following this, about 20,000 per month for many years.
Beside for the major migration, many argue any type of economic growth in the first few
decades of Israels establishment can be attributed to the events of the Holocaust. Soon after
development began, it became clear that Israel was not ready to stand on their own economically,
considering a large majority of their population was entering without any form of financial
support. Israeli political leaders communicated with western countries about convincing

Germany to provide reparations. Chancellor Adenauer declared in 1949 that West Germany
would give Israel DM 10 million worth of German made goods. In addition Israel and West
Germany established the Luxembourg Treaty which opened up trade and economic assistance
between the two. The resources alone given to Israel by West Germany because of the events of
the Holocaust played a major role in starting up Israeli economy. Historians also focus on the
impact the Holocaust had on victims and how this impact translated to Israeli life. Not only did
Jews have to deal with a lack of money but also illness and psychological issues (Kleinman,
2003). Sandra Williams highlights the difficulty people had developing identity in Israel. After
the Holocaust, religion brought over to Israel was somewhat lacking because faith was shattered
and shed negative light on what it meant to be a Jew. Many children lost a sense of identity
and rejected serious religious life, altering the way Israeli religion was practiced in the long run.
Victims would not talk about their experience, and traditions were put on hold. Even today, Israel
remains an extremely secular country considering the location and history of the country itself.
Jewish tradition is a focus, but religious intensity that was prevalent in Eastern Europe did not
carry over.
Additionally, the secret agreement made between West Germany and Israels Director
of Defense Shimon Perez, opened up sale of weapons and supply of German weapons to Israel to
help set up defense (Kleinman, 2003). On the day Israel declared independence, only a week
after the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, they signed their document in a bomb
shelter. Outside, a war against Israel was about to begin. The need for weapons and security was
vital, and German partnership most certainly aided the nation. The Genocide text (Jones, n.d)
also refers to security claiming that successive Israeli Governments have relied on the
Holocaust as a touchstone of Jewish experience and national identity, and have used the threat of

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another genocide of the Jews to justify military and security policies. Prime Minister Netanyahu
called defending Jews from another Holocaust The state of Israels supreme obligation (Jones,
n.d). In terms of why the State of Israel functions today, not only does Israel take the protection
of their people arguably more seriously than any other country, they also consider their morals in
combat to be the most important aspect of the Israeli Defense Force (IDF). Every soldier is
required to memorize the IDF Moral Code, which they are expected to follow, and failure to
follow these guidelines often results in deactivation of service. The experience of being brutally
persecuted and abused in the events of the Holocaust translated into Israeli security and provides
them with guidelines of how to treat humans as humans, even those who are acting against the
country. Trudy Album, a survivor shared her own thoughts saying that after being treated like
animals in cages, a Holocaust survivor, or anyone with a heart, would never treat another
person in such a way.
Daniel Taub (2015) reflects on his experience at a ceremony for Holocaust Memorial Day
in the UK. He references the recent attacks outside the supermarket in Paris as well as the
shootings in Belgium and even the upsurge in abuse and violence against Jews [here] in the
United Kingdom as sobering reminder that anti-Semitism did not evaporate in 1945.
However, he notes that The existence of a Jewish sovereign state has profoundly changed the
prospects for those at risk because having Israel is now a safety net that was not present during
the Holocaust. In addition he remarks that culture and tradition in Israel is often based around the
Holocaust saying that Israel has a vital role in preserving the memory of the Holocaust. Such
preservations include the seriousness of observing Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance
Day), but also translate over into the way which Israel observes Memorial Day. This is perhaps
the most powerful effect of the Holocaust on culture in Israel- extreme appreciation for those

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protecting the country. Each year on Memorial Day in Israel, the entire country stops for a day to
remember those who have fallen in the name of protecting their people. The phrase never
again relates well to this day, when people respect those who ensure that never again will
something even close to the Holocaust occur. Ceremonies across the country are held
remembering not only Israeli soldiers, but Lone Soldiers (Soldiers from other countries fighting
for Israeli) and civilians- no matter their religion or race- who have perished in Israel, because of
Israel, or in the fight for Israel. Further, this idea of never again carries over into the relief
Israel requires of their soldiers and doctors when tragedy strikes another nation. Following the
recent earthquake in Nepal, Israeli aid was the first to arrive to the scene and begin relief. They
currently make up 30% of the relief in Nepal despite their size. These values that most Israelis
maintain are in many ways insurance against another genocide and ensure that they will never be
bystanders or committers of unforgiving and unfair crimes against humanity.
Conclusion
It is difficult to say whether the State of Israel would become a reality without the
occurrence of the Holocaust. Although there was much talk among Zionists prior to the 1930s
about forming a Jewish state, facts show that progress was limited. It would be a horrible to
claim that the Holocaust helped the forming of Israel, but it certainly did affect how the rest of
the world saw a need for a Jewish State. Shedding a light on what was going on in concentrations
camps for the rest of the world, especially strongholds like the United States was a clear kick
start to the final steps towards independence. The most important thing for one to understand is
that Israel was created following the Holocaust, and did become a safe haven for millions of
people. Many attest the vibrant and communal life in Israel to the Holocaust, saying that a new
start in Israel for survivors was just another challenge for the Jewish people, encouraging them to

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create a home that was open for people from all walks of life. Whether or not they have fully
taken on this responsibility and continue to uphold these standards is another lengthy and
controversial topic. However to claim that the Holocaust had no impact on Israel and its culture
would be an inaccurate understanding of history and the complex road to independence.
Reference List
Album, Trudy. Survivor Testimony. April 14th-April 27th 2015
Did the Holocaust Justify the Creation of a Jewish State? (2015) ProCon.Org. 22 March 2015.
Retrieved from:
http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000342

Friesel, Evyatar. (1996). The Holocaust: Factor in the Birth of Israel? Retrieved from:
http://www.yadvashem.org/odot_pdf/Microsoft%20Word%20-%203575.pdf

Jones, Adam Ph.D. (2010). The Genocide Text. The Genocide Text.net 2 April 2015. Retrieved
from:
http://www.genocidetext.net/

Kleinman, Tomer. (2002). Did the Holocaust Play a Role in the Establishment of the State of
Israel? Retrieved from:
http://www.history.ucsb.edu/projects/holocaust/Research/Proseminar/tomerkleinman.htm
Mireku, Stephanie. Jew: Ethnicity, Religion, or Both? Corridors Material Place. October
2009. Retrieved from:
http://www1.umassd.edu/corridors/thirdessay260091.html
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Special Exhibit. April 19th 2015

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The Isreali/Palestinian. Procon.org. March 20th 2015. Retrieved from

http://israelipalestinian.procon.org/view.answers.php?questionID=000342
Waysburg, Moran. March of the Living Tour Guide. April 14th 2015- April 27th 2015

Wein, Rabbi Berel. Faith and Fate. Jewish History Website. March 25th 2015. Retrieved from:
http://www.jewishhistory.org/the-miracle-of-israel/
Williams, Sandra. S. (1993). The Impact of the Holocaust on Survivors and Their Children.
Retrieved from:
http://www.sandrawilliams.org/HOLOCAUST/holocaust.html#3