EconTalk An Extraordinary Introduction to the Birth of Israel and the Arab-Israeli Conflict (with Haviv Rettig Gur)
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Dec 18, 2023 
Haviv Rettig Gur, a senior analyst at The Times of Israel, sheds light on the profound historical roots of Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict. He discusses the impact of European anti-Semitism in paving the way for Zionism and the founding of Israel in 1948. Gur delves into the complex narratives surrounding Palestinian and Israeli experiences, emphasizing their incompatibility. He also contextualizes the Holocaust within broader European history, revealing the tragic irony behind the suffering that sparked a quest for a homeland.
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Cooperation in the Holocaust
- The Holocaust required the cooperation of local citizens, highlighting the tragic role of everyday people in authoritarian oppression.
- This cooperation extended the reach of the Nazi regime beyond the capacity of its police state.
Poland's 1938 Citizenship Law
- In 1938, Poland stripped Jews of citizenship to prevent their return, leaving thousands stranded and eventually murdered.
- This act demonstrates the widespread European effort to make the continent uninhabitable for Jews before Nazi occupation.
Post-Holocaust Immigration Quotas
- The U.S. maintained strict immigration quotas even after the Holocaust, trapping displaced persons in camps.
- Many of these DPs became Israeli soldiers in 1948, demonstrating the continued struggle for Jewish refuge.
