The Jews of Egypt, 1920-1970

The 50 years that this study spans were central in the shaping of the Middle East as it is known today: during this period, the Jews of Egypt were exposed to diverse challenges stemming from European style anti-Semitism in the 1930s, the perils of World War II, Zionism as it was promoted locally and by emissaries from the Yishuv, (the Jewish Community of Palestine) and activities after 1948 related to emigration to the newly created Jewish state. What policies were implemented under Nasser? What role did Egyptian Jewish community leaders play at times of crisis? To what extent did Zionism attract adherents to its ranks? What role legal - semi-legal, and illegal - did the Yishuv and post 1948 Israel play in influencing Jewish attitudes in Egypt, in prodding them to emigrate? This book provides in exhaustive detail the political and social events during this crucial period in the history of the Middle East and the history of a people.