The unfathomable genocide during which Hitler’s Nazi Germany and its collaborators killed about six million Jews – known today as the Holocaust – took place in Europe between the years 1933 and 1945. And the question driving the author is: How does a tragedy of that scale shape the identity of the “seventh million”? That is, the entire Jewish population of Israel – including those who already lived in former Palestine and all the Jewish survivors who moved there after the war.

This book summary examine the Holocaust’s influence on the Israeli nation as well as its politics, culture and identity. You’ll learn how the early Jews living in Palestine struggled with the arrival of European refugees and Holocaust survivors in Palestine, and how the young State of Israel dealt with the horrendous events of the past.

In this summary of The Seventh Million by Tom Segev,You’ll also learn

• what the Nazis and Zionists had in common;
• how one Jewish Holocaust survivor tried to take revenge; and
• why Israeli news broadcasters refrain from saying “Good evening” one day every year.

With the rise of the Nazis, German Jews were “transferred” to Palestine – yet their arrival was fraught with tension.

Nineteen thirty-three was a turning point in history: the year the Nazis came to power in Germany. The rise of the Nazi state quickly signaled to Zionists, the community of Jews desiring to create a Jewish state in Palestine, that the Jews of Germany were in danger.

Back then, however, the interests of the Nazis and the Zionists complemented one another. That’s because the Nazis wanted the Jews to leave Germany and the Zionists wanted them to live in Palestine.

As a result, “transfer” agreements, also known as Haavara, were made between the Nazis and the Zionist Jewish Agency in Palestine. Here’s what happened:

In the 1930s, the Jewish Agency acted as a government for the future Jewish state, with Zionist officials traveling to Berlin to negotiate the emigration of German Jews and the transfer of their property to Palestine.

As a result of these negotiations, a transfer agreement was reached: any Jews who emigrated to Palestine would be permitted to take $4,000 of their money and to ship goods worth $5,000 to Palestine, a sizable amount of money in the 1930s. In this sense, the agreement was just.

However, the arrival of the German Jews in Palestine was a source of great tumult. The German immigrants were traumatized by the terror of Nazi Germany and from having been uprooted from their home country. Many had also come against their will, in other words, not as Zionists but as refugees. The latter did not have the same beliefs as the Zionist colonists, who sought to establish a Hebrew culture and language in Palestine.

And the Jews who already lived there?

They were not happy about the immigrants. In fact, they lamented the flow of poor people and businessmen with their families arriving from Germany. They would have preferred single men and women to come, as they were considered ideal for building a new country.

Quote/Fact: Eliahu Dobkin, a member of the Jewish Agency in the 1930s, considered German Jews who were arriving as refugees as “undesirable human material.”

Jews in Palestine were focused on building the State of Israel and did not fully acknowledge the extent of the Final Solution in Europe.

Before World War II, Europe was home to some nine million Jews. By the end of the war, that number was just three million. Of those Jews, just a few thousand owed their survival to the Zionist movement.

In fact, when news of the systematic extermination of European Jews first broke, the Jews in Palestine didn’t give it the attention it deserved. In 1942, Ha’aretz published a story about atrocities being committed against Jews in Kharkov, Ukraine, but the story appeared on page two under a single-column headline.

The news right above it?

A piece about the victory of the Jewish soccer team in Damascus – apparently a more newsworthy story.

Then, toward the end of the same year, after a Jewish Agency official announced that there was a massive plan to kill all the European Jews, newspapers began devoting tons of space to the subject. And yet, just a few months later, articles about it were placed further and further from the front page. Palestinian Jews didn’t yet recognize the full extent of the genocide taking place in Europe.

Why didn’t they see the Holocaust for what it was? Well, having been the victims of endless pogroms, the subject of yet another example of Jewish persecution and murder in Europe simply didn’t seem all that remarkable. They wanted to concentrate on the future and building of the state, rather than the present Holocaust.

So, even though money was spent to save Jews – about several million dollars in total – a lot more went into buying land and setting up settlements in Palestine. The assumption was that there just wasn’t much that could save the European Jews.

After the war, some Jews called for revenge, but many Holocaust survivors were too traumatized.

When the war came to a close and the extent of the horrors of the Holocaust came into sharper focus, the Jewish people living in Palestine were overcome by a collective sense of guilt because they hadn’t done everything they had been capable of doing to save the European Jews.

It was during this period of shock that some Jews called for revenge on the German people. For instance, a few months after the war ended, Abba Kovner, a young Holocaust survivor, arrived in Palestine armed with a plan for vengeance.

He gathered a group of other young Holocaust survivors to poison the drinking water in several West German cities. Calling themselves the Nakam, which translates as “revenge,” the group hoped to murder six million Germans to balance the scales, justifying itself by the Bible’s tenet: “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.”

While the group did manage to kill a few former SS officers, its gigantic feat of terrorism never came to fruition. In fact, the Jewish Agency did not support this great act of revenge because it would have likely hurt its primary goal: the establishment of the Jewish state.

Moreover, many of the Holocaust survivors who had recently arrived in Palestine wanted only to rest. They were traumatized and struggled to readjust to normal life.

Many Holocaust survivors required psychological care for years after the war. They suffered from intense anxiety, nightmares, bouts of depression, fury and apathy. They also suffered from the guilt of having survived their loved ones and found it difficult to form relationships with others.

Many of the survivors who joined the Jewish communal settlements, or kibbutzim, did not feel right there. The collective communities reminded them of concentration camps. They wanted nothing more than their own space in which to deal with their own problems.

Despite their controversial nature, reparation negotiations with Germany benefited Israel.

In the first few months following the declaration of the Israeli state in 1948, many Israelis called for a boycott of Germany. But such a boycott would have been difficult to achieve and, frankly, counterproductive.

Why?

Well, a boycott would have prevented exports to Germany, yet if Israel were to join international organizations like the United Nations, it would have to network with at least some Germans.

In the same vein, Israel’s reparation negotiations with Germany became another heated subject.

On December 30, 1951, the Israeli government decided it would enter into negotiations with Germany to receive reparations for the crimes Germany had committed against Jews. But many Israelis felt that taking this money would effectively be taking ransom from murderers and were therefore opposed to the negotiations.

Their argument was that the German people and their government were murderers, and that all German money was dipped in the blood of Jews. In fact, during a debate in the Israeli Parliament, called the Knesset, protests and riots erupted and people even threw stones through the windows of the parliamentary chamber.

So, clearly the political atmosphere was tense, but despite the ardent opposition of Israel’s citizens, the Knesset entered into negotiations with Germany in 1952 and the agreement they reached benefited Israel.

The German government agreed to pay reparations of approximately $820 million. Around 70 percent of the money was set aside for goods made in Germany and the other 30 percent for buying fuel.

This settlement was to be paid over a 12-year period, during which time Israel’s gross national product tripled. And that’s no coincidence. In fact, approximately 15 percent of this growth and 45,000 jobs can be directly attributed to investments made with the reparations money.

Over time, the payments helped forge a better relationship between the two countries.

The establishment of military links to Germany and the fate of a Nazi collaborator were two more controversial issues.

In the 1950s, Israel became involved in a number of military conflicts with the neighboring Arab countries. And Israel received some of the military equipment it needed from Germany.

As with the reparation payments, the military connections between the two countries was a highly contentious subject among the Israeli people. In 1959, the German weekly news magazine Der Spiegel reported that Israel was not just buying arms from Germany, but selling them to the country as well.

Due to the conflicting moral and political issues at stake, Israel’s decision to forge military connections with Germany was highly contentious David Ben-Gurion, the prime minister at the time, claimed that Israel needed to sell arms to Germany not just because the country needed foreign currency, but also to reinforce the German commitment to do the same for Israel.

Others saw it differently. They argued that it was morally reprehensible to give Jewish weapons to German soldiers who had murdered Jews in the past.

Another source of dispute was the Jewish collaboration with the Nazi state. Likely the biggest controversy of this type was the case of Rudolf Kastner, who was the spokesman for the Israeli Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

During the war, Kastner had been the head of the Aid and Rescue Committee in Hungary, a group that helped Jews flee the Holocaust. In this capacity, he had negotiated with Adolf Eichmann, a senior SS officer, to let 1,684 Jews leave for Switzerland in exchange for a cash payment on what would become known as the Kastner train.

Kastner’s negotiations with Eichmann sparked a huge debate as he was accused of collaborating with the Nazis, even though it was to save Jewish lives.

When he stood trial, the judge said that he had sacrificed the mass Jewry for just a chosen few and, in 1957, Kastner was assassinated by right-wing Jewish activists.

Israel tried Adolf Eichmann, a prominent Nazi official, forging national unity but also spurring deep criticism.

On the night of May 11, 1960, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Mossad agents kidnapped a man whose neighbors knew him as Ricardo Clement. These Israeli secret agents drugged the man, dressed him as an airline steward and put him on a special plane waiting for them at the international airport.

The real name of the man they had kidnapped was Adolf Eichmann and he had been one of the highest-ranking figures in the Nazi party, playing a central role in organizing the transportation of Jews to death camps.

In 1961, Eichmann was put on trial in Israel for being instrumental in the murder of millions of Jews. Eichmann pleaded not guilty to the charges and said he had only done what he was told to do, stating that he was only guilty of obedience and that there was no blood on his hands. Nonetheless, Eichmann was convicted of crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity, and sentenced to death.

What did his trial mean for Israel?

On the one hand, it fostered national unity. Much of the court proceedings were broadcast live on the radio, so people all over the country were listening at home, in offices, cafes, stores, buses and factories. The trial produced a kind of “national group therapy” that sought to give a voice to Holocaust victims everywhere.

But the trial also aroused its fair share of criticism. For instance, the Jewish philosopher Hannah Arendt criticized the court proceedings as a show trial, saying it was obvious that Jewish judges could not impartially determine Eichmann’s guilt or innocence.

She was also of the opinion that Eichmann’s role in the mass murder of Jews should have only been termed a crime against humanity – not against Jewry – since the distinction between Jews and other humans was exactly the one the Nazis had used to justify their crimes in the first place.

Driven by existential fear, Israelis occupied the Palestinian territories and discriminated against Arabs in the 1960s.

Science was always an essential part of the vision for the State of Israel, and the country built a nuclear power plant before many other nations. But their atomic pursuits weren’t made for solely civilian purposes and, in the late 1960s, Time magazine reported that Israel was constructing a nuclear weapon.

Why?

Well, during the 1960s, the Israelis lived in a state of perpetual fear spurred by their Arab neighbors. No small wonder, because ever since the founding of the State of Israel, its Arab neighbors had threatened it with war.

On July 21, 1962, when the Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser put twenty ground-to-ground missiles on parade in Cairo, the threat from their neighbors seemed real and present to Israel. In fact, all over the country, you could hear and read about how Arabs threatened to “exterminate Israel.”

Comparisons were drawn between Nasser and Hitler, and many Israelis sincerely believed that genocide was a possibility if Israel lost a war against the Arabs. War finally broke out on June 5, 1967. In six days, Israel conquered vast regions of Palestine, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, territories the country still occupies to this day.

The Arab civilians living in these regions were relegated to the bottom of the Israeli social ladder and subjected to extreme racism in the 1980s. For instance, in 1984, approximately 25,000 Israelis voted for Rabbi Meir Kahane, who demanded the expulsion of Israel’s Arab citizens and the Arabs that lived in the occupied territories.

He wanted to ban all contact between Jews and Arabs, and even have separate beaches for Jews and non-Jews. As a result, there were incidents of young Israelis attacking Arabs and screams of “Death to the Arabs” were commonly heard in Israel, echoing the Nazi slogan “Death to the Jews.”

Israel has established a Holocaust memorial culture.

Since the early days of the Jewish state, the people of Israel have debated how to memorialize the Holocaust. How could the country preserve the collective memory of this event? What was OK and what was off limits?

A consensus was reached in 1951, when the Knesset decided that the twenty-seventh day of Nissan, the first month in the Jewish calendar, would be Holocaust and Ghetto Rebellion Memorial Day. Ever since this decision, the country has all but shut down for one day of remembrance, contemplation and unity each year.

All places of leisure activities – movie theaters and coffee shops included – are closed. The national radio and television stations broadcast an atmosphere of mourning.

The radio plays testimonials of Holocaust survivors as well as long symposiums interspersed with sad music, often by a solo cello. The television news broadcast airs without the music that usually accompanies it and the anchor does not say “Good evening.”

Instead of airing the standard programming, the television stations show films about the Holocaust and the print media publishes poems that reflect on the history and culture of memory.

But despite this massive, orchestrated day of remembrance, Israel still struggled to teach the Holocaust to children. That is, until 1980, when Holocaust studies became a standard requirement in all Israeli schools.

As a result, since the early 1980s, questions regarding the Holocaust have made up about 20 percent of the total score on the high school diploma examination for history. And today, the Holocaust is taught in both elementary and secondary schools, meaning an Israeli high schooler will have studied the subject twice.

The author even accompanied a group of students as they traveled to the Nazi concentration camps, Auschwitz included. At some point or another on the trip, every single student broke down and, by the time they reached Auschwitz, they had no tears left, as one student put it.

Summary

The key message in this book:

The history of the Holocaust is deeply embedded in the politics, culture and identity of the State of Israel. While early Zionists struggled to acclimate to the arrival of European refugees and Holocaust survivors, the fear of another genocide pushed Israel to invade its neighbors, sparking a climate of racism.

Review 1

The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust by Tom Segev is a monumental work of history that explores how the Holocaust shaped the identity, ideology and politics of Israel. Segev, a journalist and historian, draws on newly declassified documents, diaries and interviews to reveal the complex and often contradictory responses of the yishuv, the Jewish community of pre-Israel Palestine, to the rise of Nazi Germany and the genocide of European Jews. He also examines how Israeli Society has dealt with the legacy of the Holocaust since its establishment, showing how it has been molded and manipulated for political purposes at critical moments. Segev does not shy away from exposing the most sensitive and controversial aspects of this history, such as the Zionists’ problematic attitude towards the Holocaust victims, the hostile reception of the survivors in Israel, the revenge plots against former Nazis, the secret negotiations over reparations, and the trials of Eichmann and Demjanjuk. The Seventh Million is a rich and nuanced account of how the Holocaust has influenced Israel’s collective memory, national identity and international relations.

Review 2

“The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust” by Tom Segev is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between the state of Israel and the Holocaust. Segev, a renowned Israeli journalist and historian, delves into the intricate dynamics of how the Holocaust has shaped Israel’s national identity and politics.

The book is divided into several sections, each focusing on different aspects of this relationship. Segev begins by examining the pre-Holocaust era, detailing the Zionist movement’s response to the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. He then moves on to the Holocaust itself, scrutinizing the reactions of the Yishuv (the Jewish community in Palestine) and the Zionist leadership.

Segev’s analysis of the post-Holocaust period is particularly insightful. He discusses how the Holocaust was initially met with silence in Israel, as survivors were often stigmatized and their experiences dismissed. However, over time, the Holocaust became a central part of Israeli identity and a powerful political tool.

Segev’s writing is meticulous and well-researched, drawing on a wealth of primary sources, including diaries, letters, and government documents. He presents a nuanced and balanced view, neither shying away from criticizing the Zionist leadership’s failures nor from acknowledging their efforts to save Jewish lives.

However, the book’s dense and detailed nature might make it a challenging read for those unfamiliar with Israeli history. Some readers might also find Segev’s critical perspective controversial.

Overall, “The Seventh Million” is a profound and enlightening book that offers a unique perspective on the Holocaust’s impact on Israel. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of Israeli society and the enduring legacy of the Holocaust.

Review 3

Tom Segev’s “The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust” is a thought-provoking exploration of how the Holocaust’s memory and impact have shaped Israeli society and identity. Through meticulous research and nuanced analysis, Segev delves into the complex relationship between Israel’s identity formation and the memory of the Holocaust.

The book’s strength lies in its comprehensive approach to the topic. Segev examines how the Holocaust narrative has been shaped by political, social, and cultural factors in Israel. He dissects the tension between remembering and forgetting, as well as the ways in which the Holocaust has been utilized for various purposes, from shaping public opinion to influencing policy decisions.

Segev presents a multifaceted view of how the Holocaust has been integrated into Israeli life. He explores how survivors’ stories, commemorations, and education have contributed to the collective memory. Additionally, he candidly addresses the darker aspects, such as the initial silence about survivors’ trauma and the ethical debates surrounding Holocaust reparations.

One of the book’s key insights is how the Holocaust has influenced Israel’s national identity and self-perception. Segev unpacks how the Holocaust narrative has been interwoven with the Israeli narrative of victimhood and survival, creating a sense of moral authority and historical justification.

Segev’s writing is thorough and engaging, combining historical analysis with personal stories that offer a human element to the narrative. He critically examines both mainstream and marginalized perspectives, providing a well-rounded picture of the impact of the Holocaust on Israeli society.

“The Seventh Million” also delves into the complexities of Holocaust memory in relation to political agendas. Segev explores how different Israeli governments have navigated the Holocaust’s memory to serve their political interests, leading to a nuanced understanding of how history can be used as a tool for shaping public opinion.

In conclusion, “The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust” is a thought-provoking and meticulously researched exploration of the complex relationship between the Holocaust and Israeli society. Tom Segev’s analysis sheds light on how historical memory is shaped, utilized, and sometimes manipulated to serve various purposes. Whether you’re interested in history, memory studies, or the intricate interplay between collective trauma and national identity, this book offers a compelling examination of the intricate threads that bind the Holocaust and Israel’s narrative.

Review 4

Summary:
“The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust” by Tom Segev is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of the complex relationship between the Holocaust and the formation of the State of Israel. Segev delves into the ways in which the Holocaust shaped Israeli society, politics, and identity, offering a nuanced analysis of the impact of this historical event on the Jewish people.

Review:
In “The Seventh Million,” Tom Segev presents a compelling narrative that examines the intricate dynamics between the Holocaust and the Israeli state. The book challenges commonly held assumptions by delving into the multifaceted responses of Jewish survivors to the atrocities they experienced during World War II.

One of the book’s strengths is its meticulous research. Segev draws on a wide range of sources, including interviews, diaries, official records, and historical documents, to construct a detailed and comprehensive account of the Holocaust’s influence on Israeli society. This extensive research allows Segev to present a nuanced and multifaceted picture, capturing the diverse perspectives and reactions of various individuals and groups in Israel.

Segev explores the complex interplay between memory, history, and national identity. He investigates how the memory of the Holocaust has evolved over time and how it has been instrumentalized in shaping Israeli national consciousness. The author critically examines the ways in which the Holocaust has been utilized for political purposes, both domestically and internationally, shedding light on the debates and controversies surrounding Holocaust remembrance in Israeli society.

Another notable aspect of Segev’s work is his examination of the challenges faced by Holocaust survivors in the aftermath of the war. He explores the difficulties they encountered in rebuilding their lives and the varying degrees of recognition and support they received from the newly established State of Israel. Through personal stories and testimonies, Segev humanizes the survivors, allowing readers to empathize with their struggles and the long-lasting impact of their experiences.

“The Seventh Million” also assesses the Israeli government’s response to the Holocaust and its implications for Israeli policies. Segev critically analyzes the controversial issue of reparations from Germany and the debates surrounding the compensation received by Holocaust survivors. He delves into the political considerations behind these negotiations and the ways in which they shaped Israeli society and attitudes towards Germany.

While the book provides a thorough analysis of the Holocaust’s influence on Israeli society, it occasionally lacks a clear organizational structure. The narrative can be dense and occasionally overwhelming due to the sheer volume of information presented. As a result, readers may find themselves occasionally lost in the myriad of details and historical events.

Overall, “The Seventh Million” is an insightful and thought-provoking exploration of the Holocaust’s impact on the formation of the State of Israel. Tom Segev’s extensive research and nuanced analysis shed light on the complex relationship between these two historical phenomena. This book is a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of how the Holocaust shaped Israeli society, politics, and identity.

Review 5

“The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust by Israeli historian Tom Segev explores the complex relationship between the Holocaust and the creation of Israel. Segev examines how the memory and legacy of the Holocaust shaped Israeli national identity in the early decades of the state.

The book begins by discussing how few Israelis cared much about the Holocaust in the first years after Israel’s founding in 1948. Most early Israeli leaders were focused on nation-building and security threats, not commemorating the past. However, as Holocaust survivors immigrated to Israel in large numbers during the 1950s and 1960s, Israelis were gradually forced to confront the legacy of the genocide.

Segev describes how the government and society began formalizing Holocaust remembrance through annual ceremonies, memorials, and education. He shows how the memory of the Holocaust became intertwined with Zionist ideology to strengthen claims on the land and justify Israeli military and diplomatic actions. At times, Segev argues, the Israeli government exploited the Holocaust for political gain.

However, Segev presents a nuanced picture, acknowledging that the establishment of a Jewish state did provide a degree of justice and security for Holocaust survivors. And he highlights that many ordinary Israelis felt a genuine desire to commemorate the tragedy and integrate survivors into Israeli society.

The book exposes complexities and contradictions in Israel’s embrace of the Holocaust. Segev suggests Israelis must confront how commemorating the genocide has shaped their national identity, for better and for worse. Overall, The Seventh Million provides invaluable historical context for understanding contemporary debates over how Israelis and Jews worldwide should remember and learn from the Holocaust.”

Review 6

Tom Segev’s “The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust” offers a thought-provoking exploration of how the Holocaust has shaped Israeli society and national identity. In this meticulously researched book, Segev examines the complex relationship between the Holocaust and the State of Israel, shedding light on the ways in which the memory of the Holocaust has been constructed, commemorated, and even manipulated in Israeli society.

Segev’s writing is both engaging and informative, as he delves into the various historical, political, and social factors that have influenced the Israeli perception of the Holocaust. He begins by highlighting the initial indifference and even avoidance of the Holocaust by early Israeli leaders, who sought to establish a new Jewish identity rooted in strength and self-defense. Segev then traces the gradual shift in public consciousness and the emergence of the Holocaust as a central element of Israeli collective memory.

One of the book’s key strengths is its exploration of the diverse narratives and experiences of Holocaust survivors who immigrated to Israel. Segev examines the tensions between survivors and the broader Israeli society, revealing the complexities of survivor testimonies, their struggles for recognition, and the challenges they faced in integrating into a new homeland. By giving voice to these survivors, Segev offers a nuanced understanding of the multifaceted nature of Holocaust memory and its impact on individuals and society as a whole.

“The Seventh Million” also delves into the controversial topic of Holocaust reparations and the role it played in shaping Israeli society. Segev critically examines the negotiations between Israel and Germany, providing insight into the political calculations, moral dilemmas, and internal divisions that surrounded these discussions. He explores the debates over how the reparations should be allocated within Israeli society and the profound effects they had on the country’s economy, politics, and collective memory.

Furthermore, Segev delves into the often overlooked issue of Holocaust denial and revisionism within Israel. He explores the motives and perspectives of those who sought to downplay or distort the Holocaust, revealing the complex interplay between historical truth, national identity, and political ideologies. By confronting these challenging aspects of Israeli society, Segev encourages critical reflection and a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding Holocaust memory.

“The Seventh Million” is an essential read for anyone interested in the Holocaust, Israeli society, and the interplay between history, memory, and national identity. Segev’s comprehensive research, balanced analysis, and nuanced storytelling provide readers with a deep understanding of the complexities and contradictions inherent in the Israeli narrative of the Holocaust. By examining the ways in which the Holocaust has been remembered and commemorated in Israel, Segev prompts readers to question and reassess their own understanding of this pivotal event in human history.

Overall, “The Seventh Million” is a remarkable contribution to the field of Holocaust studies, offering a rich and nuanced exploration of how the Holocaust has shaped Israeli society, memory, and national identity. Tom Segev’s thorough research and thoughtful analysis make this book an invaluable resource for scholars, students, and anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Holocaust and its enduring impact on Israeli society.

Review 7

Introduction:
“The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust” by Tom Segev is a thought-provoking and meticulously researched book that delves into the complexities of Israeli identity, memory, and the Holocaust. Segev’s work offers a nuanced perspective on how the trauma of the Holocaust has shaped Israeli society, politics, and culture, while also examining the ways in which Israelis have responded to and remembered the genocide. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of Segev’s work, highlighting its strengths and contributions to the field of Holocaust studies.

Structure:
The book is divided into four main parts, each focusing on a different aspect of the relationship between Israelis and the Holocaust. The first part explores the immediate aftermath of the Holocaust and the struggles of survivors to find their place in a new country. The second part delves into the ways in which the Holocaust has been remembered and commemorated in Israel, including the establishment of Yad Vashem and the development of Holocaust education. The third part examines the role of the Holocaust in Israeli politics, including the use of the Holocaust as a tool for political mobilization and the controversies surrounding the Holocaust in Israeli society. The final part reflects on the impact of the Holocaust on Israeli identity and culture, including the ways in which the trauma of the Holocaust has shaped Israeli literature, art, and film.

Strengths:

• Segev’s scholarship is impeccable, and his research is thorough and comprehensive. He draws on a wide range of sources, including archival materials, personal testimonies, and cultural artifacts, to provide a rich and nuanced understanding of the topic.
• The book’s greatest strength is its ability to challenge prevailing narratives and stereotypes surrounding the Holocaust and Israeli identity. Segev skillfully navigates the complexities of Israeli society and culture, revealing the diverse perspectives and experiences of various groups within the country.
• Segev’s writing is clear and engaging, making the book accessible to a wide audience. He avoids jargon and technical terms, ensuring that the book is readable and enjoyable for scholars and non-specialists alike.
• The book’s focus on the ways in which the Holocaust has shaped Israeli identity and culture is particularly insightful, offering a fresh perspective on a well-studied topic. Segev’s analysis of Israeli literature, art, and film provides valuable insights into the ways in which the trauma of the Holocaust has influenced Israeli culture.

Weaknesses:

• Some readers may find the book’s structure somewhat disjointed, as it jumps between different topics and time periods. While Segev’s writing is clear, the sheer amount of information and the complexity of the topic may make it difficult for some readers to follow.
• The book’s scope is ambitious, and some readers may have wished for more in-depth explorations of certain topics. For example, the book could have benefited from a more detailed analysis of the ways in which the Holocaust has influenced Israeli politics and diplomacy.
• While Segev challenges many prevailing narratives, some readers may find his perspective on certain issues, such as the role of the Holocaust in Israeli politics, somewhat controversial or debatable.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, Tom Segev’s “The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust” is a groundbreaking and thought-provoking book that offers a nuanced exploration of the complex relationship between Israelis and the Holocaust. Segev’s scholarship is impeccable, and his writing is clear and engaging. The book’s strengths, including its ability to challenge prevailing narratives and its focus on the ways in which the Holocaust has shaped Israeli identity and culture, make it an invaluable contribution to the field of Holocaust studies. While some readers may find the book’s structure or scope somewhat limiting, overall, “The Seventh Million” is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex intersections of memory, identity, and trauma in Israeli society.

Review 8

Book Summary:

In “The Seventh Million,” Tom Segev delves into the complex and multifaceted relationship between the State of Israel and the Holocaust. The book explores how the trauma of the Holocaust has shaped Israeli society, politics, and culture, and how the events of the Holocaust have been remembered and commemorated in Israel.

Segev argues that the Holocaust has been a defining aspect of Israeli identity, influencing everything from the country’s political and social structures to its cultural and religious practices. He also examines the ways in which the Holocaust has been used for political purposes, both domestically and internationally, and how this has contributed to the ongoing conflict between Israelis and Palestinians.

The book is divided into six chapters, each focusing on a different aspect of the Israeli-Holocaust relationship. Segev begins by exploring the early years of the state of Israel, when the trauma of the Holocaust was still fresh and raw. He then delves into the development of Holocaust remembrance and commemoration in Israel, including the establishment of Yad Vashem, the national Holocaust museum.

Segev also examines the role of the Holocaust in shaping Israeli politics and society, including the creation of the Jewish state’s “masculine” identity and the ways in which the Holocaust has been used to justify military action and territorial expansion. He also discusses the controversial issue of the “Holocaust survivor syndrome,” which has been used to justify a range of political and social policies in Israel.

One of the book’s most compelling chapters explores the relationship between the Holocaust and Jewish identity in Israel. Segev argues that the Holocaust has created a sense of shared trauma and victimhood among Israeli Jews, which has contributed to the strengthening of Jewish identity and the reinforcement of Jewish-Israeli boundaries.

Finally, Segev examines the implications of the Holocaust for the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that the Holocaust has been used by Israeli politicians and military leaders to justify the dispossession and displacement of the Palestinian people, and to justify the ongoing occupation of Palestinian territories.

Review:

“The Seventh Million” is a masterful and thought-provoking examination of the Israelis and the Holocaust. Tom Segev’s writing is clear, concise, and engaging, making this book an accessible and compelling read for both scholars and general audiences.

Segev’s central argument – that the Holocaust has been a defining aspect of Israeli identity and has shaped everything from the country’s politics to its culture – is both convincing and compelling. He provides a wealth of evidence to support his argument, drawing on a wide range of sources, including historical documents, personal testimonies, and cultural artifacts.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its nuanced and balanced approach to the topic. Segev does not shy away from discussing the controversial and sensitive aspects of the Israelis’ relationship with the Holocaust, including the use of the Holocaust for political purposes and the ongoing conflict with the Palestinian people.

However, some readers may find Segev’s critique of Israeli society and politics to be overly critical or one-sided. Some may also find the book’s focus on the Jewish experience in Israel to be narrow or exclusive, neglecting the experiences of other marginalized groups in the country.

In conclusion, “The Seventh Million” is an essential and thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the history of Israel, the Holocaust, or the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Segev’s masterful storytelling and nuanced analysis make this book a compelling and accessible read, and his central argument is both convincing and compelling. Highly recommended! 🐐📚

Review 9

Segev’s book, The Seventh Million, is a controversial and provocative work that has been praised by some for its insights into Israeli society and condemned by others for its alleged inaccuracies and distortions. The book’s central thesis is that the Israeli government and people have been reluctant to confront the full truth about the Holocaust, and that this has had a negative impact on Israeli society.

Segev argues that the Israeli government has been reluctant to acknowledge the extent of the Jewish suffering during the Holocaust, and that this has been done in order to maintain a positive national image. He also argues that the Israeli people have been reluctant to come to terms with the Holocaust, and that this has been done in order to avoid confronting the difficult questions that the Holocaust raises.

Segev’s book has been praised by some for its insights into Israeli society and for its willingness to challenge the official Israeli narrative of the Holocaust. However, it has also been condemned by others for its alleged inaccuracies and distortions. Some critics have accused Segev of being anti-Semitic, while others have accused him of being too critical of Israel.

Despite the controversy surrounding it, Segev’s book has been a major influence on the way that the Holocaust is understood in Israel and around the world. It has forced Israelis to confront the difficult questions that the Holocaust raises, and it has helped to create a more open and honest dialogue about the Holocaust in Israel.

In conclusion, Segev’s book is a complex and challenging work that is sure to provoke debate. It is a book that is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the Holocaust and its impact on Israeli society.

Review 10

The Seventh Million is a book that examines how the Holocaust has shaped the identity, ideology, and politics of Israel since its inception. The author, Tom Segev, is a prominent Israeli historian and journalist who has access to thousands of declassified documents, diaries, and interviews. He challenges the conventional narratives and myths that have been used to justify and rationalize Israel’s policies and actions, and reveals the complex and often contradictory realities and emotions of the survivors, the leaders, and the public.

The book covers a wide range of topics and events, such as the immigration and integration of the survivors, the restitution and compensation claims from Germany, the Kastner affair, the Eichmann trial, the Demjanjuk case, the wars and conflicts with the Arab states, and the commemoration and education of the Holocaust. Segev shows how the Holocaust has been exploited and manipulated for political purposes, as well as how it has influenced the collective psyche and culture of Israel. He also explores the personal stories and experiences of some of the key figures and personalities involved, such as Ben-Gurion, Begin, Goldmann, Ka-Tzetnik, Wiesel, Arendt, and many others.

The book is well-written and well-researched, with a lot of details and insights that are not widely known or discussed. It is also provocative and controversial, as it challenges some of the sacred beliefs and assumptions that many Israelis hold about their history and identity. It is not a book that tries to justify or condemn Israel, but rather to understand and explain it. It is a book that invites readers to reflect on the meaning and implications of the Holocaust for Israel and for humanity.

The Seventh Million is a book that I highly recommend to anyone who is interested in learning more about the history and politics of Israel, as well as about the Holocaust and its aftermath. It is a book that will make you think critically, empathetically, and creatively about one of the most tragic and influential events of the 20th century.

Review 11

Book Summary

In The Seventh Million, Tom Segev explores the complex relationship between the Holocaust and Israeli society. He argues that the Holocaust has been a major factor in shaping Israeli identity, and that it has had a profound impact on the way that Israelis view themselves and the world around them.

The book is divided into three parts. The first part, “The Holocaust as Myth,” explores the ways in which the Holocaust has beenmythologized in Israeli society. Segev argues that the Holocaust has been used to justify Israeli policies, and that it has been used to create a sense of national unity.

The second part, “The Holocaust as Memory,” explores the ways in which the Holocaust has been remembered in Israeli society. Segev argues that the Holocaust has been a source of both pain and pride for Israelis, and that it has been a driving force behind the creation of the state of Israel.

The third part, “The Holocaust as History,” explores the ways in which the Holocaust has been studied and debated in Israeli society. Segev argues that the Holocaust is a complex and contested issue, and that there is no single “correct” way to understand it.

Book Review

The Seventh Million is a well-researched and well-written book that provides a fascinating look at the complex relationship between the Holocaust and Israeli society. Segev does an excellent job of weaving together historical research, personal anecdotes, and political analysis to make his points. He also provides a balanced and nuanced view of the Holocaust, which is rare in a book on this topic.

One of the things that I appreciate most about The Seventh Million is that it challenges the conventional wisdom about the Holocaust. Segev argues that the Holocaust was not just a tragedy that happened to the Jews, but that it also had a profound impact on the way that Israelis view themselves and the world around them. He also argues that the Holocaust has been used to justify Israeli policies, and that it has been used to create a sense of national unity.

I also appreciate the way that Segev humanizes the victims of the Holocaust. He tells the stories of individual Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust, and he shows how the Holocaust affected their families and friends. This helps to make the Holocaust more real and more relatable for the reader.

Overall, The Seventh Million is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the Holocaust, Israeli history, or the Middle East. It is a well-researched and well-written book that provides a fascinating and thought-provoking look at a complex and controversial topic.

Key Takeaways

Here are some of the key takeaways from The Seventh Million:

• The Holocaust has been a major factor in shaping Israeli identity.
• The Holocaust has been used to justify Israeli policies.
• The Holocaust has been used to create a sense of national unity in Israel.
• The Holocaust is a complex and contested issue.
• The Holocaust had a profound impact on the way that Israelis view themselves and the world around them.

Overall Assessment

The Seventh Million is a well-researched and well-written book that provides a fascinating and thought-provoking look at the complex relationship between the Holocaust and Israeli society. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the Holocaust, Israeli history, or the Middle East.

Review 12

The book is a controversial and powerful work of history that examines the impact of the Holocaust on the identity, ideology, and politics of Israel. Segev, a prominent Israeli journalist and historian, challenges the myth of the Zionist movement as a heroic and unified response to the Nazi genocide, and reveals the complex and often contradictory attitudes and actions of the Jewish community in Palestine and later in Israel towards the Holocaust and its survivors.

Segev draws on thousands of pages of newly declassified documents, as well as on diaries, interviews, and other sources, to tell the dramatic and sometimes shocking story of how the yishuv (the Jewish community in pre-Israel Palestine) confronted the rise of Nazi Germany and the Holocaust, and how Israeli society has dealt with the consequences since. He covers a wide range of topics, such as the Zionists’ problematic response to the Holocaust while it was happening; the new Jewish state’s disturbing reception of Holocaust refugees, who found themselves despised by a society devoted to heroism and the “new man”; the revenge schemes against former Nazis, including a plot to poison the water systems of major German cities; the secret negotiations between Germany and Israel over reparations payments; and much more.

Segev also explores the psychological and cultural aspects of how the Holocaust has shaped the Israeli identity, ideology, and politics. He shows how the Holocaust has been used as a political tool and a moral justification for various policies and actions, such as immigration, settlement, security, war, and peace. He also analyzes how the Holocaust has influenced the education, media, art, literature, and religion of Israel. He argues that the Holocaust has become a central element of the Israeli collective memory and consciousness, but also a source of division, conflict, and trauma.

The book is well-researched, well-written, and well-argued. It combines rigorous scholarship, compelling storytelling, and critical analysis to create a valuable and accessible resource for anyone interested in the history and politics of Israel. It is a book that challenges the conventional wisdom about what makes a great leader and offers a fresh and evidence-based perspective on how to become one. It is a book that exposes the hidden history, full of engrossing portraits of the major personalities – Ben-Gurion, Begin, Nahum Goldmann – and rich with the details of everyday life. It is a book that shows the common goals and conflicting needs of which history is made, and how the bitter events of decades past continue to shape the experience not just of individuals but of a nation.

Review 13

The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust by Tom Segev is a book that examines the complex and controversial relationship between Israel and the Holocaust. The book traces how the Holocaust shaped the identity, ideology, and politics of Israel, from the pre-state period to the present day. The book also explores how the Holocaust affected the lives and attitudes of individual Israelis, such as survivors, immigrants, leaders, and soldiers.

The book is based on extensive research by the author, who is a renowned Israeli journalist and historian. The book uses thousands of pages of newly declassified documents, as well as diaries, interviews, memoirs, and media sources. The book covers a wide range of topics, such as the Zionist response to Nazi persecution, the immigration and integration of Holocaust survivors, the establishment and role of Yad Vashem, the Eichmann trial, the Six-Day War, the Lebanon War, and the peace process.

The book is a provocative and insightful account of how Israel has grappled with the legacy and memory of the Holocaust. The book challenges some of the conventional narratives and myths about Israel and the Holocaust, and reveals the diversity and complexity of Israeli society. The book also raises important questions about the moral and political implications of the Holocaust for Israel and the world. The book is a landmark work of history that offers a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on one of the most tragic and influential events of the twentieth century.