The Mufti of Jerusalem and the Nazis: The Berlin Years - Tapa dura

Amin al-Husaini is undeniably one of the key figures of the 20th century. He was the religious head of the Palestinian Muslims for 16 years, their political leader for 30 years, and, for a time, he was the most important representative of the Arab world. Author Klaus Gensicke examines the time that Amin al-Husaini spent in Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1945. He looks at what the Mufti was hoping to gain politically and ideologically while he was there. Al-Husaini cooperated eagerly with the Nazis to prevent Jews emigrating from Europe to Palestine. Aware of what was happening, he wanted to see the Jews destroyed. He also expected a high position for himself in the Arab World after the Nazis had won the Second World War. Germany's enemies became his enemies, and he waged a campaign of hate against the British and Americans, who were, he claimed, pawns of the Jews. This began the path towards anti-Americanism and the struggle against 'Western depravity' in the name of Islam. The book shows how he used murder, terrorism, intrigue, extortion, and the abuse of religion to obtain his goals. His broadcasts to the Muslims in North Africa during the Second World War were appeals for martyrdom, in order to help the Germans, as that would guarantee Paradise. After the War, he continued to act in precisely the same manner. His greed for wealth, hunger for power, despotism, ruthlessness, and intransigence were all factors that brought disaster upon his people and have, unfortunately, set a standard that remains valid in Palestinian politics today. [Subject: History, Middle East Studies, Politics, World War II, Holocaust Studies]

Klaus Gensicke is a political scientist. He lives in Berlin and has long been engaged in the subjects of National Socialism and the Middle East. At present he is reviewing alternative strategies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.