Zion Before Zionism 1838-1880 [Hardcover]

Arnold Blumberg (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2007

This book studies the interaction of the European, Turkish, and Palestinian natives for a forty-two year period, just prior to when the great Jewish immigration to Palestine began. It examines the interplay between the native Palestinian population, the essentially foreign Turkish government imposed on them, and the aggressive ambitions of Christian nations represented by their consuls. Most important of all, 1838 marks the first year in which the Turks recognized the right of foreign non-Moslems to lease property for permanent residence in a city sacred to Islam. It was to be another twelve years before the purchase of property by foreign infidels became possible at the Holy City. It was to be a full twenty years before the Turks codified a Land Registry Law in 1858. Nevertheless, the mere beginning of permanent residence at Jerusalem for foreign Jews and Christians makes 1838 a milestone year. It is, therefore, important for any study of what is today modern Israel to examine the years 1838-1880. Those crucial forty-two years form the unique and essential incubative time period without which Zionism could never have prospered in Zion.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

During his professional life, Arnold Blumberg was Professor of History at Towson State University, Baltimore, Maryland. He received his Ph.D. in modern European history at the University of Pennsylvania. His books include The Diplomacy of the Mexican Empire, 1863-1867 and A View From Jerusalem, 1849-1858.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 269 pages
• Publisher: Devora Publishing (November 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1932687823
• ISBN-13: 978-1932687828
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,133,516 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Monograph - Worth Noting, October 17, 2009

By 

L. King "Eclectic Reader" (Toronto Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zion Before Zionism 1838-1880 (Hardcover)

Zion here refers to the Sanjak of Jerusalem, an area that included a swath a slightly to the north of Jerusalem, south to Hebron thru to Jaffa, Gaza and El Arish in the Sinai. It did not include Nablus, Haifa, Nazareth or Tiveria to the north and west. At the beginning of the period Jerusalem itself is a small town of 10,000, 40% Jewish, 30% Muslim and 30% Christian, though quickly swells by 1939 by another 3000 Jews who flee Tiveria because of a plague. Christians and Jews faced severe restrictions under the ruling Turks which Blumberg describes. What the Turks called "Palestine" at that time consisted of 7 "pashaliks" which included Lebanon and a large chunk of Syria. There were no roads. Access to Jerusalem would involve an offshore anchoring at Jaffa, a small boat to shore, acquiring some guards and bribing several clans for guarantees of safe access along a footpath inland. .

The author focuses on the relationships between the various European Consuls with the ruling Pashas and their relationships with the local population. Most notable was unusually liberal Kiamel Pasha from Feb 1855 to April 1857 who was the first to allow foreigners to purchase property which led to the first structures to be built outside of Jerusalem's ancient walls. (The Moses Montefiore Windmill and artist workshops; the Russian diplomatic compound.) The Consuls bicker amongst themselves and were often charged by Christian organizations from their home country with a secondary purpose of converting Jews. Interestingly various groups of Ashkenazic Jews sought protection under the diplomatic umbrella of various foreign powers who seemed confused as to whether or not they were an asset or a liability. It makes for an interesting reading.

Overall I enjoyed the book but I found it too short. The actual text is 156 pages with the remaining third a glossary, index and citation footnotes. The historical context is well laid out against the background of the Mehmet Ali insurgency in Egypt (1832 - ~1842), the political impact of the Crimean War and how the introduction of the telegraph began to change the nature of diplomacy. The book is very centered on the politics of Jerusalem itself with some mention given to relations with clan leaders in Hebron and Abu Gosh. The British Consul James Finn is perhaps the most prominent but there is good coverage given to the other European powers ans well as the relative situations of the Ashkenazic and Sephardic Jewish communities.

A couple of maps and time-line diagrams would have helped. The writing is crisp and clear but one should be interested in the period before hand - its not something I'd recommend just for the sake of reading. Its a good backgrounder about politics and life in another time.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Educates its readers on an oft-forgotten time in the Zionism movement, May 6, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Zion Before Zionism 1838-1880 (Hardcover)

1838: For the first time in hundreds of years, Jews could have a permanent home in the Islamic holy city of Jerusalem. "Zion Before Zionism: 1838-1880" follows the early days of the Jewish immigration back to the holy land of Jerusalem, although the region was still under control of the Ottoman Turks. Focusing on the early attitudes and interactions with the native Palestinians of the region, "Zion Before Zionism: 1838-1880" is a thoroughly informed and informative history sure to educate its readers on an oft-forgotten time in the Zionism movement. Highly recommended to both history shelves and community library Judaic studies shelves.