Study of the Jewish Resistance Movement in Yad Vashem Studies, Volume III

Problems Related to the Study of the Jewish Resistance Movement in the Second World War

Jewish resistance sprang up under the most terrifying conditions. Courage and heroism, both physical and spiritual was displayed. Many historians believe that this phenomenon cannot be studied as yet because the time perspective is too short and the documentary evidence, to date, inadequate. The author begs to disagree. Much documentary evidence is becoming available. The relationship of the Jewish resistance to the various gentile partisan groups varied according to district and country and ranged from cooperation to liquidation. Jewish resistance may be categorized in ghetto, camp and forest. The Judenrat, should not be included as resistance fighters as, too often, they collaborated with the Germans. In summary, the problems of the Jewish resistance movement must be scientifically studied and the necessary documentary material compiled, including its chronology and details of places and lists of members. Psychological studies should be carried out on the survivors. All this work needs to be coordinated, probably in Jerusalem.