From Ambivalence to Betrayal: The Left, The Jews and Israel

From Ambivalence to Betrayal examines the complex relationship between leftist movements and Jewish people throughout modern history. The book traces this dynamic from the early socialist movements of the 19th century through the Soviet era and into contemporary anti-Israel sentiment on the left. Robert Wistrich analyzes key historical moments and figures to demonstrate the evolution of left-wing attitudes toward Jews, Judaism, and Zionism. The text covers major events like the Dreyfus Affair, the Holocaust, the founding of Israel, and the modern BDS movement. Through extensive research and primary sources, Wistrich documents how segments of the political left shifted from early philosemitic positions to increasingly critical stances on Israel and Jewish nationalism. The work includes analysis of influential thinkers like Marx, Lenin, and contemporary leftist intellectuals. This scholarly examination raises fundamental questions about the intersection of progressive politics, nationalism, and identity in the modern world. The book contributes to ongoing discussions about antisemitism's presence across the political spectrum and the complex dynamics between universalist and particularist movements.

Readers note the book's detailed documentation of left-wing anti-Semitism from the French Revolution through modern times. Multiple reviewers appreciate Wistrich's analysis of how socialist movements shifted from supporting to opposing Jewish causes and Israel. Positives cited: - Thorough research and historical examples - Clear connections between past and present anti-Semitic rhetoric - Examination of specific figures like Marx and Chomsky Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style can be hard to follow - Some repetition between chapters - Length (over 600 pages) contains redundant material Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (9 ratings) One Amazon reviewer writes: "Important documentation of how the left abandoned its early support for Jewish self-determination." A Goodreads reviewer notes: "Comprehensive but could have been edited down significantly without losing impact." Due to its academic nature, most reviews come from scholarly sources rather than general readers.

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🔹 Robert Wistrich was considered the world's leading scholar on antisemitism, serving as the head of the Vidal Sassoon International Center for the Study of Antisemitism at Hebrew University of Jerusalem 🔹 The book traces 200 years of left-wing attitudes toward Jews and Judaism, from Marx to modern times, revealing complex shifts from early socialist philosemitism to later anti-Zionist positions 🔹 Despite being Polish-born, Wistrich wrote this comprehensive work in English while teaching in London and Jerusalem, drawing from sources in multiple languages including German, French, and Hebrew 🔹 The author demonstrates how the Soviet Union's policies significantly influenced leftist attitudes toward Israel, transitioning from initial support of Israel's creation in 1947-48 to stark opposition by the 1960s 🔹 The book's title "From Ambivalence to Betrayal" references how many Jewish leftist intellectuals eventually found themselves caught between their socialist ideals and their Jewish identity, particularly regarding Israel's existence