The Mufti and Hitler

 

Adolf Hitler with Mufti of Jerusalem Haj Amin al-Husseini

    One of the arguments that is frequently lobbed against the Palestinians is charges of antisemitism. While there are certainly elements of antisemitism, especially among some of the more militant and radical groups, by and large there is an understanding that the Palestinian struggle against the nation state of Israel is not the same as battling all Jews. However, there are historical arguments around the antisemitism claim dating back centuries with examples of Muslim discrimination against non-Muslims but especially Jews during the period of caliphates. But one of the most prominent links to modern Palestinian antisemitism is the fact that the Mufti of Jerusalem met with Hitler in 1941.

    In 1941 it was clear that the Jews in Palestine were aiming for a Jewish state to be established somewhere within the Mandate of Palestine. The Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, was widely seen as a major leader among the native Palestinian population, who saw it as his responsibility to halt that ambition. He had a major role in the 1920 uprisings, and his appointment caused great consternation among the Jewish community in Palestine (Armstrong 376).  The Mufti did not use his position to quell the unrest. After being exiled for his role in the unrest in the region, he made overtures to Hitler in 1941, which became highly damaging to the Palestinian cause (Armstrong 384). The Mufti had a large amount of correspondence with high ranking members of the Nazi state, including sending Hitler 15 drafts of resolutions concerning Palestine (Mufti). Though no concrete plans were established by the Nazis to support the Palestinians, a message for Heinrich Himmler was passed onto the Mufti that said the Nazi’s “has been closely following the battle of freedom-seeking Arabs - and especially in Palestine - against the Jewish invaders… warm wishes for the continuation of your battle until the big victory.” (Mufti-Letter).

    The claim of antisemitism is a frequent charge whenever the state of Israel is challenged. The meeting of the Mufti to Hitler makes for an easy linking of the Palestinian cause and Nazism. However, this lazy claim refuses to take into account the realpolitik of the global situation in the 1940s, the struggles within Palestine itself, and the fact that the meeting of two men in 1941 does not define the conflict and position of the Palestinian people. Without a doubt the Mufti made a grave error in meeting with Hitler, and damaged the Palestinian cause. However, this meeting was one example of the terrible things that happened during the time of widespread unrest in the late Mandate period, and should not be used to help cast aspersions of widespread historical antisemitism.

Armstrong, K. (2005). Exile and Return. In Jerusalem: One City Three Faiths (pp. 79–102). essay, Ballantine Books. 

 Letter written to Grand Mufti from Himmler uncovered, YNet News, (March 30, 2017)

“The Mufti and the Führer.” Jewish Virtual Library,  American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise, www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-mufti-and-the-f-uuml-hrer. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.