The Jews of Arab Lands in Modern Times

Book excerpt: A sequel to his book "The Jews of Arab Lands" (1979). Discusses the last 150 years, divided into two sections - "History" (pp. 1-180), and "Sources" (pp. 181-555), containing documents relevant to the seven chapters of the history section. European colonialism was perceived as a threat by the Muslims while the Jews used it to rise above their traditional subordinate status. Describes the penetration of antisemitism in Arab lands between 1929-39 due to the growth of Arab nationalism, Arab association of Jews with the colonial powers, the desire to emulate German or fascist nationalism, and the exacerbation of Arab-Jewish tensions in Palestine. The undermining of the Jews' position during this period was followed by a total collapse in the ensuing decade - as the Baghdad pogrom of 1941, the widespread rioting between 1945-47, and the preference of colonial or mandatory authorities not to antagonize the Arabs attest. Militant Arab and Islamic nationalism showed the Jews that there was no place for them in Arab society and led to their mass migration after the founding of the State of Israel. ǂc (From the Bibliography of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism).