Abstract:

Nazi Germany's foreign policy towards the Soviet Union was carried out in accordance ith ideological and political objectives.  These were defined and planned well in advance, with a view to a final confrontation for the domination of Europe.  This policy regarded "Jewish Bolshevism" as the main obstacle to securing victory in the coming confrontation, hence its rise and fall constituted a yard-stick in the formulation of Germany's relationship with the Soviet Union.  Soviet diplomatic activity was aimed at thwarting the German threat to Soviet territorial integrity and its political regime.  By putting ideological principles to one side, betlittling the danger of Nazi anti-Semitic policy for Jews themselves and for free Europe in its entirety, and dismissing Jews from senior positions in the Soviet hierarchy, they hoped to save off the conflict.  From both the German and the Soviet perspective, the Jewish factor was significant.  The purposed of this book is to assess its place and influence upon the mutual relations between the two countries in the years 1933-1941. 

The book was originally published in Hebrew by the Magnes Press of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 1986.  This edition includes additional material subsequently published in Russia and newly revealed Soviet archival sources which were unavailable at the time the Hebrew edition went to press.

(Availlible in Hebrew and English)

Notes:

Abba Eban Publications