Jewish historian calls for
end to Mein Kampf ban
From Roger Boyes in Berlin |
Rafael Seligman |
GERMANY’S foremost publishing
taboo is being challenged by a Jewish historian who is urging the open
sale of Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf , banned for almost 60 years.
The campaign, launched by Rafael Seligman, author of a new book on Hitler,
has drawn a furious response, notably from other members of the German
Jewish community.
It comes days before the Organisation for Security and Co-operation
in Europe stages a high-profile conference in Berlin on the roots of
anti-Semitism.
Much of the book was dictated during Hitler’s stint in prison
after the abortive 1923 Beer Hall Putsch in Munich. About 10 million
copies of the book were sold until 1945. The royalties made Hitler a
millionaire.
Unexpurgated editions of Mein Kampf are available in Germany only to
academic researchers because the raw copy is seen as too contentious
for popular consumption. On German book-buying internet sites, only
a heavily edited version is available.
“If you want to understand Adolf Hitler’s plans and his
effects on people you have to read Mein Kampf ,” said Herr Seligman,
writing in the mass-circulation Bild newspaper this week, on the occasion
of Hitler’s 115th birthday. “Hitler reveals his murderous
hostility to Jews and his conviction that he is doing God’s work
in fighting them,” said Herr Seligman, author of Hitler: The Germans
and Their Führer.
The book, argued the political historian, had to be taken seriously.
He said that the case for banning it was misconceived. “Nothing
better expresses Hitler’s inhumanity, his anti-Semitism and murderousness
as clearly as his book. That’s why it should be freely on sale
in Germany, just as it is in every democratic country.”
Herr Seligman’s views triggered an angry response from Michael
Friedman, a television star, politician and prominent member of the
German Jewish community. “The very idea that Hitler’s Mein
Kampf could end up as a No 1 best-seller in Germany sends shudders down
my spine.
“What kind of signal would we be sending to our young people if
we allow it to be published freely and without comment in every bookstore?”
he said. A recent survey showed that between 15 and 20 per cent of Germans
harbour anti-Semitic feelings. Herr Friedman said that publishing the
book would serve only to give succour to anti-Semites.
Non-Jewish historians are reluctant to enter the debate about lifting
the publishing ban lest they be branded as right-wing sympathisers.
However, many agree in private with Herr Seligman. One Berlin University
historian, who insisted on anonymity, said: “Anyone seriously
interested in German history cannot be satisfied with the edited version
of this book: the original has to be made available. We need to trust
ourselves.”
War crimes: The Nazi-hunting
Simon Wiesenthal Centre said in its annual report yesterday that 166
investigations of Nazi war criminals had been launched over the past
year and six convictions had been gained. It criticised Romania as the
country that had done the least to bring former Nazis to justice. Most
investigations had been opened in Austria, which is pursuing 60 suspects,
followed by the United States with 40 and Latvia with 19.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,174-1084881,00.html
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