Undeclared Wars with Israel: East Germany and the West German Far Left, 1967-1989

Undeclared Wars with Israel examines East Germany's and West German far-left organizations' hostility toward Israel from 1967-1989. The book draws on government archives and documentation to reveal the scope of anti-Israel activities during this period. Jeffrey Herf analyzes the political and ideological connections between East German communism and West German radical leftist movements in their approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His research maps out propaganda campaigns, military support, and diplomatic efforts aimed against Israel. The work traces how both East German state policy and West German far-left groups interpreted and responded to key events in the Middle East over two decades. Through official records and contemporary sources, Herf documents the evolution of anti-Israel sentiment and action in both German states. This study contributes to broader discussions about Cold War politics, the legacy of Nazi antisemitism, and how different German political factions processed guilt and responsibility after World War II. The book presents a complex picture of how ideology, geopolitics, and historical memory intersected in postwar German society.

Readers consistently note the book's detailed research and extensive use of East German archives to document connections between East Germany, Palestinian militants, and West German far-left groups. Positive reviews highlight: - Clear documentation of antisemitism in left-wing movements - Thorough examination of primary sources - Analysis of East German propaganda methods Critical reviews mention: - Dense academic writing style that can be difficult to follow - Some repetitive sections - Limited coverage of certain aspects of West German politics A historian on H-Net reviews praised the "meticulous archival work" while noting the book "could have provided more context about West German domestic politics." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (9 reviews) Top comment from Amazon reviewer: "Important historical research but requires careful reading and background knowledge of Cold War European politics to fully appreciate."

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🔹 The book reveals that East Germany provided weapons, training, and sanctuary to numerous Palestinian militant groups and members of the West German Red Army Faction (RAF) during the Cold War. 🔹 Author Jeffrey Herf had unprecedented access to previously classified documents from the East German Communist Party and Ministry for State Security (Stasi) archives to research this book. 🔹 East Germany's support for Palestinian militant groups was part of a broader Soviet-bloc strategy to use "wars of national liberation" to weaken Western influence in the Middle East. 🔹 Despite having no direct border with Israel, East Germany became one of the most militantly anti-Israel countries in the Soviet bloc, partly to differentiate itself from West Germany's supportive relationship with Israel. 🔹 The book connects multiple historical threads: the Holocaust's legacy in divided Germany, Cold War politics, Middle Eastern conflicts, and the rise of international terrorism in the 1970s.