75% of the Dutch Jewish community perished in the Second World War, while in other western European countries, the proportions were significantly lower. Coincidentally as I read this book, Israel is recovering from terroristic attacks on its citizens.
History has recorded the treatment of Jews by the Nazis from 1933-1945. However this reader was surprised by similar treatment of Jews by the Dutch. The diaries describe how Jews were hunted down and families were separated. Their properties and possessions were seized. They suffered physical beatings and a variety of emotional and mental humiliations.
Some Dutch did their best on hiding Jews or preventing them from being sent outside the country to labor camps and gas chambers. Jews were thrown on trains as cattle. There were vivid descriptions on how they were horribly treated and humiliated.
How could civilized people allows this to happen? Fear of reprisals? Hatred and distrust of Jews?
There were diaries of those who supported Jews and those that supported the Nazis. Their motives are part of the story. The diaries depict stories of both heroism and cowardice. This reader became uncomfortable. Could these same acts happen today? Could they happen in the United States?
History continues to repeat itself…
Very sobering book and surprising as one would expect the Dutch people to be more civilized. Excellent reference book on how a country lives and fares upon occupation by a foreign power.
Esot-eric 