Tom Segev
What’s inside
The Seventh Million: The Israelis and the Holocaust, by Tom Segev, is a seminal work that explores the complex and often painful relationship between the state of Israel and the Holocaust. Segev meticulously examines how the Holocaust’s legacy has shaped Israeli society, politics, and identity from the formation of the state to the late 20th century. Through extensive research and personal testimonies, the book reveals how Holocaust survivors were initially received with ambivalence in Israel and how their experiences were later integrated into the national consciousness. Segev delves into the political use of the Holocaust in Israeli politics, the establishment of Yad Vashem, and the trials of Nazi war criminals, most notably Adolf Eichmann, to illustrate the multifaceted impact of the Holocaust on Israeli society.
You’ll Learn
- Gaining insight into the complex relationship between Israel and the Holocaust
- Understanding the socio-political impact of the Holocaust on Israeli society
- Exploring the role of memory and commemoration in shaping national identity
- Analyzing the use of historical events in political discourse
Key Points
- The initial ambivalence towards Holocaust survivors in Israel
- Integration of the Holocaust into Israeli national consciousness
- The political use of the Holocaust in Israeli politics
- The establishment of Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial
- The trial and execution of Adolf Eichmann
- The impact of Holocaust commemoration on Israeli society
Who’s it For
- History enthusiasts
- Readers interested in Jewish studies
- Scholars of Middle Eastern politics
- People interested in the sociology of memory
About the author
Tom Segev is an Israeli historian, author, and journalist known for his work on the history of Israel and the Holocaust. With a career spanning decades, Segev is one of the leading figures in the Israeli New Historians, a group that re-examines the history of Israel and Zionism. His works often challenge traditional narratives and provide nuanced insights into the complexities of Israeli society.