Bidspirit auction | “Why Are the Jews Persecuted?”

“Why Are the Jews Persecuted?” – rare publication in Serbia – a chilling prediction of an impending catastrophe for the Jewish people, and a call to realize Herzl’s vision - Zasto se progone Jevreji? - “Why Are the Jews Persecuted?” by Jerko Dorbic. Published by Piščevo izdanje, Serbia [1939]. In Serbo-Croatian – a pro-Jewish publication in which the author illustrates the irrationality and internal contradictions of antisemitism, warns against the outbreak of blind hatred that would bring an unprecedented catastrophe upon the Jewish people, and proposes various solutions—the central one being the realization of Herzl’s vision for the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel. The author, who was deeply shaken by the eruption of waves of hatred toward the Jews across Europe on the eve of World War II, sought to trace the roots of both historical and modern antisemitism. He describes the situation of his time as a manifestation of all forms of ancient and modern antisemitism flaring up simultaneously: “In Romania, Jews are still persecuted out of racial hatred. In Russia, Germany, and Austria, they were persecuted for economic reasons. In Hungary and Poland, Jew-hatred is expressed through wild and brutal outbursts…”. The author illustrates the contradictory arguments used by antisemites to justify the persecution of Jews, claims that directly contradict one another: “…According to these fanatics, today’s Jews are incapable of contributing anything good. If they are wealthy: they are extortionists and thieves. If they are poor: they are filthy. If they take part in any war: it is proof they are exploiting the bloody struggles of Christians for their own purposes. If they advocate for peace: then they are cowards or traitors. If they give generously, and no one gives more generously than a Jew, they must be doing so for some hidden reason. If they give nothing: what else can you expect from a Jew?! If the working class is oppressed by big capital, as in Russia: again, the Jews are to blame. If they live in foreign lands: they must be persecuted and destroyed. If they wish to return to their homeland: they must be prevented from doing so…”. The author seeks to sound an alarm to the world regarding levels of antisemitic hatred never before seen, which he feared could erupt into unprecedented violence against the Jewish people. These words were written shortly before the outbreak of World War II, a moment when history indeed witnessed antisemitic manifestations and persecutions on a scale never known before. In an attempt to present several swift solutions to the persecution of the Jews, he primarily proposes garnering broad international support for Theodor Herzl’s vision of establishing an independent Jewish state in Eretz Israel, and for the return of the Jewish people to their homeland. He expresses admiration for the pioneering activity that had already begun years earlier: “Students, workers, farmers, ordinary people, and the educated alike took up rifles and undertook a magnificent pioneering mission, for which they deserve admiration from all... The natural obstacles they had to overcome were immense. In areas that once contained swamps, sand dunes, and deserts, there are now forests, vast orchards of oranges, lemons, dates, bananas, vineyards, and more. A new life has emerged, with modern businessmen and professionals…”. In addition, he appeals to neutral countries to absorb as many Jews as possible and to serve as a refuge for them until the waves of antisemitism pass. He encourages mass Jewish immigration to the free nations of the world. Rare. Only four copies recorded in the WorldCat global library catalog. 74 [6] pages. Ownership stamp of the former Milanković Library. Handwritten inscription on the title page. Good – very good condition.