In the 1930s and 1940s too many in the Arab World adopted ideologies parallel to Nazisim in Europe. Both had a concept of purity, one religious and one racial. They also had common enemies and threats as they saw it. Nazi Germany was willing to tailor Mein Kampf to Arab Africa and the Middle East presented a working model of the ideology. It was a two-way street involving North Africa, the Yishuv and Iraq. Plans for liquidation of populations beyond Europe existed and were directly in Tunisia. As in Europe, allies of Nazi Germany sought to carry out their parallel plans as well. Amin Haj Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, appointed by the British under the Mandate, played a role much wider than simply being an Arab leader in Palestine. The ideas he promoted are still very much with us. As will be shown during this lecture,after the end of World War Two, the connection between Nazis, Naziism and some parts of the Arab World persisted even as the next authoritarian power, the USSR gained influence in the Middle East.
Mr. Birenbaum earned a Master’s degree in Political science and International Relations from the New ‘School for Social Research in New York, and a Master’s in Adolescent Pedagogy from Mercy College. He had a 25-year career as a computer programmer and analyst, after which he became a high school history teacher, until he retired and made Aliyah in 2018.
He plays clarinet with the Rehovot Municipal Wind Instruments Band. Born and raised in Manhattan, Mr. Birenbaum is married and has two children and one granddaughter.
Proceeds to go to ESRA BEERSHEVA PROJECTS
