Israel's Moment: International Support for and Opposition to Establishing the Jewish State, 1945-1949

Israel's Moment examines the international political dynamics surrounding the establishment of Israel between 1945-1949. The book focuses on the positions and actions of major powers including the United States, Soviet Union, and European nations during this period. Through extensive archival research and primary sources, Herf analyzes how the aftermath of World War II and the emerging Cold War influenced various countries' stances on Jewish statehood. The narrative tracks the shifting diplomatic relationships, policy debates, and public discourse that shaped international responses to Zionist aspirations. The text pays particular attention to how the Holocaust's revelation affected global opinion and policymaking regarding a Jewish homeland. Key figures from multiple nations are featured, along with contemporaneous media coverage and official government communications. At its core, this work explores how moral imperatives, strategic interests, and the reconfiguration of global power converged at a decisive moment in Middle Eastern history. The book raises enduring questions about international relations, human rights, and state formation in the modern era.

Most readers credit Herf's extensive research and use of multiple international archives to tell the story of Israel's creation from various perspectives. Reviewers appreciate the depth of examination into how Cold War dynamics and the Holocaust's aftermath influenced global support and opposition. Readers highlight the book's analysis of Arab leaders' ties to Nazi Germany and Soviet policy shifts. Several reviewers note the thorough documentation of American and British diplomatic decisions. Some criticize Herf's occasional repetitiveness and dense academic writing style. A few readers mention that the narrow timeframe (1945-1949) leaves out important context. Ratings: Amazon: 4.5/5 (12 reviews) Goodreads: 4.0/5 (5 reviews) Sample review quotes: "Meticulous research that sheds new light on a pivotal period" - Amazon reviewer "Sometimes gets bogged down in details" - Goodreads reviewer "Important contribution to understanding post-WW2 Middle East diplomacy" - H-Net reviewer

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🌟 Author Jeffrey Herf discovered that the Soviet Union's support for Israel's creation was partially motivated by hopes of weakening British influence in the Middle East, making the USSR one of Israel's earliest and most crucial supporters. 🌟 The book reveals how American diplomats in Arab countries warned that supporting a Jewish state would damage U.S. relations with Arab nations and potentially threaten access to oil resources. 🌟 Despite being traditionally antisemitic, the American Protestant establishment largely supported Israel's creation, viewing it as fulfillment of biblical prophecy and a moral response to the Holocaust. 🌟 The Palestine issue created unusual political alignments in 1945-1949, with American conservatives often opposing Israel's creation while liberals and leftists typically supported it—the opposite of today's typical positions. 🌟 The book draws from newly declassified documents in multiple languages, including diplomatic cables from the U.S., Soviet Union, and various European countries, providing unprecedented insight into the international dynamics of Israel's founding.