Read Online Icon of Evil: Hitler's Mufti and the Rise of Radical Islam by David G. Dalin, John F. Rothmann - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: David G. Dalin, John F. Rothmann
Tags: Historical, History, World War II, Military, 20th Century, Biographies & Memoirs, middle east, World, Leaders & Notable People, Israel & Palestine
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trusted ally and confidant of the führer, he would be able to do much to shape and promote the emerging alliance between radical Islam and Nazism and to mobilize support for Hitler’s war against the Jews. In the months ahead, his hopes and dreams were realized.
The Mufti’s Relationships with German Leaders
Throughout his years in Germany, al-Husseini enjoyed a close working relationship with several Nazi leaders, including Joachim von Ribbentrop, Heinrich Himmler, and Adolf Eichmann. As Hitler’s foreign minister, von Ribbentrop was to become a close ally of al-Husseini. Under his direction the section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for “Jewish Affairs,” Referat Deutschland, “vigorously defended Nazi anti-semitism abroad and denounced foreign attempts to ‘interfere’ in German Judenpolitik at home.” 36 On November 2, 1943, the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, von Ribbentrop sent the mufti a telegram that established beyond any doubt the position of the German government when it came to the Middle East. “I send out my greetings to your Eminence and to those who are today in the capital of the Reich at the gathering under your chairmanship,” wrote von Ribbentrop. “Germany is tied to the Arab nation by old bonds of friendship and today more than ever we are allies. The removal of the so-called Jewish National Home, and freeing all Arab lands from oppression and the exploitation of the Western powers is an unalterable part of the policy of the Greater German Reich. May the hour not be distant when the Arab nation shall be able to build its future and establish unity and full independence.” 37 In subsequent letters to the German foreign minister, al-Husseini asked von Ribbentrop for his assistance in ensuring that no Jews would be permitted to leave Europe to enter Palestine. 38 Sharing al-Husseini’s passionate hatred of the Jews, von Ribbentrop was especially happy to promise to give this type of assistance. Al-Husseini and von Ribbentrop were in complete sympathy with each other’s hopes and aspirations. On April 28, 1944, von Ribbentrop established yet another division in the Foreign Ministry. The “Anti-Jewish Action Abroad” was designed to assist in the “physical elimination of Jewry,” thus to “deprive the race of its biological reserves.” Among those designated to be advisers in this effort to ensure the destruction of the Jews were Haj Amin al-Husseini and Rashid Ali al-Gaylani. 39 Joachim von Ribbentrop was convicted as a war criminal at the Nuremberg trials, where he was sentenced to death and hanged for his crimes.
Of the major Nazi leaders, Heinrich Himmler was the one with whom al-Husseini collaborated most actively and consistently. 40 The mufti’s first official meeting with Himmler, chief of the SS and the Gestapo, took place in March 1943. They quickly became close political confidants and friends. By July 1943, the mufti’s relations with Himmler warmed to the point that Himmler dedicated a picture of himself with al-Husseini, “To His Eminence, the Grand Mufti, in Remembrance.” 41 This inscribed photo from Himmler would become one of Haj Amin al-Husseini’s prized possessions. That their first meeting had been an important one can be inferred from the note of appreciation the mufti sent Himmler: “This memento of our first meeting, which created the basis of our confiding, is of special value to me.” 42 In his relations with Nazi leaders, al-Husseini always knew whom to flatter. In this same note, he stated that the picture would always remind him of Himmler “as an understanding, great and energetic man.” In October 1943, the mufti sent a letter to Himmler, on the occasion of the Nazi leader’s birthday, and used the opportunity to express the wish that “the coming year may make our cooperation even closer and bring our common goals even nearer.” 43
One of the common goals shared by al-Husseini and Himmler, who
The Mufti’s Relationships with German Leaders
Throughout his years in Germany, al-Husseini enjoyed a close working relationship with several Nazi leaders, including Joachim von Ribbentrop, Heinrich Himmler, and Adolf Eichmann. As Hitler’s foreign minister, von Ribbentrop was to become a close ally of al-Husseini. Under his direction the section of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs responsible for “Jewish Affairs,” Referat Deutschland, “vigorously defended Nazi anti-semitism abroad and denounced foreign attempts to ‘interfere’ in German Judenpolitik at home.” 36 On November 2, 1943, the twenty-sixth anniversary of the Balfour Declaration, von Ribbentrop sent the mufti a telegram that established beyond any doubt the position of the German government when it came to the Middle East. “I send out my greetings to your Eminence and to those who are today in the capital of the Reich at the gathering under your chairmanship,” wrote von Ribbentrop. “Germany is tied to the Arab nation by old bonds of friendship and today more than ever we are allies. The removal of the so-called Jewish National Home, and freeing all Arab lands from oppression and the exploitation of the Western powers is an unalterable part of the policy of the Greater German Reich. May the hour not be distant when the Arab nation shall be able to build its future and establish unity and full independence.” 37 In subsequent letters to the German foreign minister, al-Husseini asked von Ribbentrop for his assistance in ensuring that no Jews would be permitted to leave Europe to enter Palestine. 38 Sharing al-Husseini’s passionate hatred of the Jews, von Ribbentrop was especially happy to promise to give this type of assistance. Al-Husseini and von Ribbentrop were in complete sympathy with each other’s hopes and aspirations. On April 28, 1944, von Ribbentrop established yet another division in the Foreign Ministry. The “Anti-Jewish Action Abroad” was designed to assist in the “physical elimination of Jewry,” thus to “deprive the race of its biological reserves.” Among those designated to be advisers in this effort to ensure the destruction of the Jews were Haj Amin al-Husseini and Rashid Ali al-Gaylani. 39 Joachim von Ribbentrop was convicted as a war criminal at the Nuremberg trials, where he was sentenced to death and hanged for his crimes.
Of the major Nazi leaders, Heinrich Himmler was the one with whom al-Husseini collaborated most actively and consistently. 40 The mufti’s first official meeting with Himmler, chief of the SS and the Gestapo, took place in March 1943. They quickly became close political confidants and friends. By July 1943, the mufti’s relations with Himmler warmed to the point that Himmler dedicated a picture of himself with al-Husseini, “To His Eminence, the Grand Mufti, in Remembrance.” 41 This inscribed photo from Himmler would become one of Haj Amin al-Husseini’s prized possessions. That their first meeting had been an important one can be inferred from the note of appreciation the mufti sent Himmler: “This memento of our first meeting, which created the basis of our confiding, is of special value to me.” 42 In his relations with Nazi leaders, al-Husseini always knew whom to flatter. In this same note, he stated that the picture would always remind him of Himmler “as an understanding, great and energetic man.” In October 1943, the mufti sent a letter to Himmler, on the occasion of the Nazi leader’s birthday, and used the opportunity to express the wish that “the coming year may make our cooperation even closer and bring our common goals even nearer.” 43
One of the common goals shared by al-Husseini and Himmler, who
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