The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust

The Seventh Million examines the complex relationship between Israeli society and the Holocaust, tracing how this historical trauma shaped the development of Israel as a nation. The book covers the period from the 1930s through the early 1990s. Historian Tom Segev draws on primary sources and archival materials to document key events and decisions, including pre-war immigration policies, rescue efforts during WWII, and the absorption of survivors into the new state. The narrative follows both high-level political dealings and individual stories that illustrate the broader societal impact. Through extensive research, Segev analyzes how Holocaust memory evolved in Israel over decades - from early silence and shame to eventual integration into national identity. The book examines pivotal moments like the Eichmann trial and traces changes in education, commemoration, and public discourse. This work raises essential questions about collective memory, national mythology, and how societies process historical trauma. The book's examination of these themes remains relevant to contemporary discussions about identity and memory in Israel and beyond.

Readers value Segev's thorough research and documentation of how the Holocaust shaped Israeli society and politics. Many note his examination of difficult topics like the Kastner trial and negotiations with Nazi Germany. Positive reviews highlight: - Detailed archival research and primary sources - Balanced treatment of sensitive historical events - Clear writing style that handles complex topics Critical reviews mention: - Dense academic writing that can be hard to follow - Too much focus on political figures versus average citizens - Some readers felt it portrayed Israel's early leaders negatively Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (407 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (31 ratings) Reader quote: "Segev presents difficult truths about Israel's early relationship with Holocaust survivors without sensationalism or judgment." - Goodreads reviewer Another reader noted: "The level of detail sometimes overwhelms the narrative, but the research is impeccable." - Amazon review

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🔹 The book's title "The Seventh Million" refers to the Holocaust survivors who came to Israel, following the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. 🔹 Author Tom Segev uncovered that during the 1950s, the Israeli government used German reparation money to fund approximately 40% of the state's annual budget, despite fierce public opposition to accepting funds from Germany. 🔹 The book reveals how early Israeli society initially viewed Holocaust survivors with suspicion and sometimes contempt, often seeing them as weak individuals who "went like sheep to the slaughter." 🔹 Segev documents how the 1961 trial of Adolf Eichmann marked a turning point in Israeli society's relationship with the Holocaust, transforming it from a somewhat taboo subject into a central element of Israeli identity. 🔹 The research demonstrates how the Israeli education system evolved from barely mentioning the Holocaust in the 1950s to making it a mandatory subject, with student trips to concentration camps becoming a rite of passage in Israeli society.