Overwhelming Palestinian Arab Alignment with Nazi Germany: Ideology and Collaboration in the 1930s and World War II (and beyond)

Overwhelming Palestinian Arab Alignment with Nazi Germany: Ideology and Collaboration in the 1930s and World War II (and beyond)

This entry reflects a pro-Israel perspective, focusing on historical evidence of Palestinian Arab support for Nazi Germany, as documented in the provided sources. It aims to present a comprehensive overview while adhering to the historical record. URLs are included where available.

Overview

During the 1930s and World War II, significant segments of the Palestinian Arab population and their leadership expressed sympathy for Nazi Germany, driven by shared anti-Jewish sentiment and opposition to British colonial rule in Mandatory Palestine. This alignment was rooted in ideological affinity with Nazi anti-Semitism, admiration for Adolf Hitler’s regime, and strategic efforts to counter Zionism and British influence. Historical records, including contemporary newspapers, Nazi documents, scholarly works, and post-war admissions, reveal public displays, propaganda, and organizational efforts by Palestinian Arab leaders, particularly under Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, to align with Nazi Germany. While not all Palestinian Arabs supported the Nazis, and some enlisted in the British Army, the dominant sentiment among the leadership and populace leaned heavily toward the Axis powers, especially during periods of Nazi military success.

Background

The Palestinian Arab national movement, led primarily by Haj Amin al-Husseini, emerged in opposition to British mandatory rule and Zionist immigration, spurred by the Balfour Declaration of 1917. By the 1930s, Nazi Germany’s anti-Semitic policies resonated with segments of the Palestinian Arab population, who saw Hitler as a potential ally against Jews and the British. This period saw Nazi propaganda proliferate in Palestine, fascist-inspired organizations form, and direct appeals to Nazi Germany for support.

Key Evidence of Support for Nazi Germany

Public Displays and Propaganda

• Swastika Usage and Public Celebrations: The swastika, a Nazi symbol, appeared frequently in Palestinian Arab communities. In 1935, a Haifa-Damascus train bore a swastika with the inscription “Germany Over All” in Arabic, reflecting admiration among Arab youth conference delegates (The New York Times, May 13, 1935; Palestine Post, May 13, 1935). Swastikas were painted on Jerusalem’s Zion Gate in 1935 and 1936, with slogans like “Heil Hitler” and “Hiteler” (sic) (JTA, July 18, 1935; Lossin, 1983). During the 1937 celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, swastikas were flown, and Hitler and Mussolini were cheered (The New York Times, May 23, 1937; JTA, May 23, 1937).
• Media Support: Arab newspapers like Falastin, Al-Difa, and Al-Karmel praised Hitler and Nazi ideology. Falastin described Hitler as “noble” and expressed sympathy for fascist ideas (Palestine Post, May 22, 1933; January 5, 1936, cited in Erlich, 2002). Al-Difa published excerpts from Mein Kampf and urged Arab youth to emulate Hitler (Erlich, 2002). Post-war, Falastin defended Nazism as a legitimate ideology and protested the Nuremberg Trials (Palestine Post, October 31, 1945; Youngstown Vindicator, December 28, 1945). Al-Wahda and Ad-Difaa praised Nazi leaders’ courage post-execution (Palestine Post, October 18, 1946).
• Contemporary Observations: Emil Ghuri, in his Arab Federation newspaper, wrote on July 7, 1934, “Hitler whom the Arabs admire very much,” reflecting widespread admiration (Palestine Post, July 16, 1934). In 1935, German Consul Walter Doehle reported to Germany that “Arabs admire our Führer” across all social strata (Cohen, 2014). In June 1939, journalist John Gunther wrote, “The Greatest Contemporary Arab Hero is—Adolf Hitler,” noting Hitler’s prominence in Arab public sentiment (Inside Asia, 1939). A 1941 survey by Sari Sakakini found 88% of Palestinian Arabs supported Nazi Germany, with only 9% backing Britain (Morris, 2008). A CIA report from August 1942 described most Palestinian Arabs as radical, harboring anti-Jewish hatred and awaiting Rommel’s advance to act against Jews and seize their property (Herf, 2009; Cohen, 2014). General Charles de Gaulle noted in 1968 that in 1941, Palestinian Jews fought with the Allies, while “the Arabs… were on the other side” (Cohen, 1974).

Leadership and Organizational Efforts

• Haj Amin al-Husseini’s Role: The Grand Mufti sought German support as early as March 1933 (Cohen, 2014; Steininger, 2018). During World War II, he collaborated with the Nazis in Berlin, broadcasting anti-Jewish propaganda and recruiting Muslim SS units in the Balkans (Alon, 2003; Dalin, 2017). His plans included an Auschwitz-like crematorium in the Dotan Valley (Shragai, 2012; Algemeiner, October 27, 2015). His wartime activities boosted his post-war popularity (Elpeleg, 1993; Said, 1983). In 1942, his supporters expressed “open joy” at Jewish suffering in Europe (Cohen, 2014).
• Fascist-Inspired Organizations: The Husseinis’ Palestinian Arab Party (1935) included al-Futuwwa, a Hitler Youth-modeled “Nazi Scouts” corps (Rosen, 2005; Becker, 1984). Palestinian students in Germany attempted to form an Arab Nazi Party in 1933 (Black, 2010; Lewis, 1999). The Arab Youth Federation sent telegrams to Hitler in 1935 to block land sales to Jews (JTA, June 9, 1935).
• Key Figures:
  • Fawzi al-Qawuqji: Participated in the 1941 pro-Nazi Iraq coup, served in the Wehrmacht, broadcast Nazi propaganda, and led the 1948 Arab Liberation Army, vowing to “push the Jews into the sea” (Silver, 2022; Davar, January 5, 1947; Sydney Jewish News, May 2, 1947; Palestine Post, October 6, 1948).
  • Ahmad Shukairy: Admitted in his 1969 memoir, Arbaʻūn ʻāmman fī al-ḥayāt al-ʻrabīyah wa-al-duwalīyah, that “Our sympathies were with the Axis powers being led by Hitler” (Shuqayrī, 1969; Kedourie, 1964). He opposed Arab enlistment in the British Army, celebrated German victories, justified the Holocaust post-war alongside Jamal Husseini (B’nai B’rith Messenger, July 12, 1946), and praised the neo-Nazi Tacuara group at the UN in 1962 (New York Times, September 16, 1962; Facts, 1963).
  • Issa Nakhleh: Defended Arab propaganda in Nazi Germany in 1939, glorified the Nazi regime in Argentina and New York, and denied the Holocaust (Palestine Post, July 13, 1939; DAIA, 1958; Dalin, 2017).
  • Farouk Qaddoumi: In December 2013, the PLO leader admitted Palestinian Arab support for the Nazis, citing their shared opposition to Zionism (Algemeiner, December 18, 2013).
  • Jamal Husseini: A key leader in the Arab Higher Committee (AHC), Husseini ordered copies of Hitler’s Mein Kampf and the anti-Semitic forgery The Protocols of the Elders of Zion in 1933, promoting Nazi ideology (The Sentinel, June 15, 1933). He was sent by the Mufti in 1936 to Berlin, where he met Joseph Goebbels (Karsh, E. The long trail of Palestinian antisemitism. (2025)., Anti-Zionism, Antisemitism, and the Challenge for Israel. (2025) ), was involved in the pro-Nazi 1941 Iraq coup alongside the Mufti (Could the Arabs Stage an Armed Revolt Against the United Nations? Memorandum Submitted to the General Assembly of the United Nations. (1947). p.12), aiming to bring the Middle East under Axis influence (Conservapedia. In 1946, shortly after his release from exile, he rationalized the Holocaust alongside Ahmad Shukairy, claiming “Hitler couldn't be all wrong” (B’nai B’rith Messenger, July 12, 1946). As AHC spokesperson in 1947–1948, he opposed the establishment of a Jewish state, arguing it would disrupt the Arab world's “homogeneity of race” (Herf, 2022; New York Times, September 30, 1947).
  • Hassan Salameh: A guerrilla leader and Mufti associate, Salameh participated in the failed Operation Atlas in 1944, parachuting into Palestine with Nazi commandos to sabotage Jewish targets and incite unrest (Tablet Magazine, April 14, 2021) and per some versions to poison some 250,000. (Isracast). He later commanded the Holy War Army in the 1948 war.

Nazi Propaganda and Arab Sympathy

• German Reports: Nazi officials noted Arab admiration for Hitler. In 1937, Consul Walter Doehle reported widespread sympathies for “the new Germany and its Führer” (Cohen, 2014). A SS report stated Arabs awaited Hitler  (Wawrzyn, 2013). Goebbels noted in 1938 that Arabs revered Hitler “as though he were holy” (Zimmermann, 2022).

Collaboration and Post-War Continuity

• Wartime Collaboration: The Mufti met Adolf Eichmann in 1937 (Malul, 2017; Rubin & Schwanitz, 2014) and planned to extend the Holocaust to Palestine (Mallmann & Cüppers, 2010). Hitler intended to entrust Arabs with exterminating Mediterranean Jews (Intermountain Jewish News, April 3, 1947). Bosnian Muslims trained by Nazis fought against Israel in 1948 (Palestine, 1948; Frantzman, 2008).
• Post-War Admiration: The Mufti’s popularity surged post-war, with enthusiastic welcomes from Arab leaders and masses (Elpeleg, 1993; Dowerin Guardian, March 22, 1946). Leaders like Shukairy and Jamal Husseini justified the Holocaust (B’nai B’rith Messenger, July 12, 1946). Falastin and others defended Nazism as a legitimate ideology (Youngstown Vindicator, December 28, 1945; Palestine Post, October 18, 1946). In 1967, a Palestinian Arab leader admitted supporting Hitler was a “big mistake” (Saturday Review, 1970).

Context and Counterpoints

• Limited Arab Enlistment: About 9,000 Palestinian and Jordanian Arabs enlisted in the British Army, often incentivized by Jewish payments, but 78% deserted in 1942 to support Rommel (Bouchnik-Chen, 2019; Hurewitz, 1950).
• British Censorship: British authorities controlled the Arab press during the war, limiting overt pro-Nazi expressions (Kabahā & Caspi, 2011). Still, pro-Nazi sentiments persisted.
• Jewish Resistance: Palestinian Jews supported the Allies, with 27,000 volunteering for the British Army and aiding Free French forces (Navon, 2020). Right-wing Zionists pulled down swastikas from German consulates (Encyclopaedia Judaica, 1977).

Legacy and Implications

The alignment with Nazi Germany shaped post-war Arab nationalism and anti-Zionist rhetoric. Figures like Shukairy, who called for Israel’s destruction in 1967 (Progress-Index, June 13, 1967), and Nakhleh, who denied the Holocaust (Dalin, 2017), perpetuated anti-Semitic narratives. The 2013 admission by PLO leader Farouk Qaddoumi of Palestinian Arab support for the Nazis underscores the historical ideological overlap with Nazi anti-Semitism, contributing to Arab-Israeli tensions (Algemeiner, December 18, 2013).

References

• JTA, March 31, 1932 http://pdfs.jta.org/1932/1932-04-01_081.pdf; March 21, 1933 http://pdfs.jta.org/1933/1933-03-21_2504.pdf; October 8, 1933 http://pdfs.jta.org/1933/1933-10-08_2663.pdf; November 23, 1933 http://pdfs.jta.org/1933/1933-11-23_2700.pdf; August 14, 1934 http://pdfs.jta.org/1934/1934-08-14_2923.pdf; July 18, 1935 https://www.jta.org/archive/gates-of-zion-defaced-by-swastika-of-arabs; May 23, 1937 https://www.jta.org/archive/swastikas-fly-as-arabs-mark-mohammeds-birthday; December 9, 1937 https://www.jta.org/archive/goebbles-aide-greeted-in-cairo-by-arab-editors; June 9, 1935 http://pdfs.jta.org/1935/1935-06-10_3165.pdf.
• Davar, May 24, 1933 https://www.nli.org.il/he/newspapers/dav/1933/05/24/01/article/8; January 5, 1947 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/dav/1947/01/05/01/article/21.
• Palestine Post, May 22, 1933 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1933/05/22/01/article/42; July 16, 1934 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1934/07/16/01/article/35; May 13, 1935 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1935/05/13/01/article/40; October 31, 1945 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/falastin/1945/10/30/01/article/5; October 18, 1946 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1946/10/18/01/article/12; July 13, 1939 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1939/07/13/01/article/84; December 7, 1937 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1937/12/07/01/article/3; September 16, 1938 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1938/09/16/01/article/23; October 6, 1948 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/pls/1948/10/06/01/article/5.
• The New York Times, May 13, 1935 https://www.nytimes.com/1935/05/13/archives/palestine-train-flies-swastika.html; May 23, 1937 https://www.nytimes.com/1937/05/23/archives/all-arabs-celebrate-prophets-birthday-christians-join-moslems-in.html; September 16, 1962 https://www.nytimes.com/1962/09/16/archives/argentine-youths-in-nazi-group-salute-and-cry-hail-tacuara.html; September 30, 1947 https://www.nytimes.com/1947/09/30/archives/palestinian-arabs-reject-un-plans-warn-of-a-battle-jamal-elhusseini.html.
• The Sentinel, June 15, 1933 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/cgs/1933/06/15/01/article/26; April 25, 1935 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/cgs/1935/04/25/01/article/54; June 6, 1935 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/cgs/1935/06/06/01/article/65; July 25, 1935 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/cgs/1935/07/25/01/article/3; February 25, 1937 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/cgs/1937/02/25/01/article/92; December 9, 1937 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/cgs/1937/12/09/01/article/83.
• Youngstown Vindicator, January 2, 1937 https://books.google.com/books?id=K8ZJAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA19; December 28, 1945 https://books.google.com/books?id=k-ZYAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA10.
• The Canadian Jewish Chronicle, December 4, 1936 https://books.google.com/books?id=OAFPAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA4; August 4, 1961 https://books.google.com/books?id=magcAAAAIBAJ&pg=PA5.
• The Sydney Jewish News, May 2, 1947 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/sydneyjn/1947/05/02/01/article/30.
• Intermountain Jewish News, April 3, 1947 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/chncijn/1947/04/03/01/article/81.
• B’nai B’rith Messenger, July 12, 1946 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/bbh/1946/07/12/01/article/47; November 17, 1972 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/bbh/1972/11/17/01/article/204.
• The Detroit Jewish News, February 3, 1967 https://digital.bentley.umich.edu/djnews/djn.1967.02.03.001/9.
• The Australian Jewish News, January 7, 1983 https://www.nli.org.il/en/newspapers/ajnm/1983/01/07/01/article/73.
• Shabab, October 26, 1938 https://dflsa0m2gb18x8.archive.ph/GjgBE/1e589a5c04b78d7624725652ddfe36cffe9ef0d0.jpg.
• Inside Asia (John Gunther, 1939) https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.149663/page/333/mode/1up?q=hitler.
• Black, E. (2010). The Farhud: Roots of the Arab-Nazi Alliance in the Holocaust https://books.google.com/books?id=f9LrEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT385.
• Cohen, M. J. (2014). Britain’s Moment in Palestine: Retrospect and Perspectives, 1917-1948 https://books.google.com/books?id=DLPpAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA407.
• Elpeleg, Z. (1993). The Grand Mufti: Haj Amin Al-Hussaini, Founder of the Palestinian National Movement https://books.google.com/books?id=s-CLz1OvWs0C&pg=PA180.
• Erlich, H. (2002). The Middle East Between the World Wars https://books.google.com/books?id=6B0CcmTaVuAC&pg=PA81.
• Herf, J. (2009). Nazi Propaganda for the Arab World https://books.google.com/books?id=YzQNSTvHv-sC&pg=PA139; (2022). Israel’s Moment https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/abs/israels-moment/zionist-momentum-and-the-us-and-british-governments-counteroffensive-septemberdecember-1947/DD09E9395B3376A8BB3E0C446AE1DACC.
• Lewis, B. (1999). Semites and Anti-Semites https://books.google.com/books?id=zjkiAwAAQBAJ&pg=PA147.
• Mallmann, K., & Cüppers, M. (2010). Nazi Palestine: The Plans for the Extermination of the Jews in Palestine https://books.google.com/books?id=vjsLAqafdQ8C&pg=PA124.
• Morris, B. (2008). 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War https://books.google.com/books?id=CC7381HrLqcC&pg=PA21.
• Rosen, D. M. (2005). Armies of the Young: Child Soldiers in War and Terrorism https://books.google.com/books?id=zQYQ0tho6mAC&pg=PA106.
• Rubin, B., & Schwanitz, W. G. (2014). Nazis, Islamists, and the Making of the Modern Middle East https://books.google.com/books?id=qCXBAgAAQBAJ&pg=PT139.
• Wawrzyn, H. (2013). Nazis in the Holy Land 1933-1948 https://books.google.com/books?id=cZ7oBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA95.
• Shuqayrī, A. (1969). Arbaʻūn ʻāmman fī al-ḥayāt al-ʻrabīyah wa-al-duwalīyah https://tinyurl.com/ShukairyTheySupportedHitler.
• Ynet, May 7, 2006 https://www.ynet.co.il/article/3248081; May 15, 2022 https://www.ynetnews.com/article/s1bpi7cl5.
• Algemeiner, October 27, 2015 https://www.algemeiner.com/2015/10/27/report-jerusalems-grand-mufti-planned-construction-of-crematorium-in-israel/; December 18, 2013 https://www.algemeiner.com/2013/12/18/plo-leader-admits-support-for-nazis-says-they-saw-zionism-as-common-enemy-video/.
• BESA, December 9, 2019 https://besacenter.org/palestinian-arabs-british-army/.
• JCPA, March 1, 2015 https://jcpa.org/article/palestinians-arabs-and-the-holocaust/; 2012 https://jcpa.org/al-aksa-is-in-danger-libel/al-aksa-libel-advocate-mufti-haj-amin-al-husseini/.
• JNS, May 31, 2023 https://www.jns.org/jns/palestinians/23/5/31/291858/.
• CIA, July 21, 1960 https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/00870285; July 8, 1965 https://www.cia.gov/readingroom/document/cia-rdp67b00446r000400170011-8.
• Saturday Review, 1970 https://books.google.com/books?id=hNAaAQAAMAAJ&q=%22arabs%20supported%20hitler%22.
• Navon, E. (2020). The Star and the Scepter https://books.google.com/books?id=A9j9DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA1921.
• Zimmermann, M. (2022). Germans Against Germans https://books.google.com/books?id=L8VrEAAAQBAJ&pg=PA201.
• Conservapedia, Jamal Husseini https://www.conservapedia.com/Jamal_Husseini.
• IsraCast, Jamal Husseini https://www.isracast.com/operation-atlas-poisoning-tel-aviv-residents/. (Isracast).
• Karsh, E., The long trail of Palestinian antisemitism. (2025), https://books.google.com/books?id=EK1PEQAAQBAJ
• Tablet Magazine, April 14, 2021 https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/history/articles/nazi-paratroopers.