10. Review of letters received by the Prime Minister's Office regarding the Eichmann Affair; June – August 1960
ISA/RG 55/G 3931/10
A summary of the contents of 410 letters that arrived at the Prime Minister's Office from writers in Israel and around the world regarding the capture of Eichmann in June – August, 1960, which were dealt with by the Government Press Office. The document reviews the geographical distribution of the writers; distribution of the letters by their type and contents; expressions of sympathy or support for Israel's position; criticism of Israel about the way in which Eichmann was captured, and opposition to the intention to try him in an Israeli court; concern regarding the dispute between Argentina and Israel; views for and against the possibility of executing Eichmann and their arguments.
11. Rehavam Amir, Israel Minister in Warsaw, to the East European Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Warsaw,
10 June 1960
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA 3352/4
Review of Polish public opinion, which is mainly supportive of Eichmann's capture by Israel and recognises its right to bring him to trial on its soil.
For further information about the Eichmann trial and its influence on relations between Israel and Poland, see "Documents on Israeli-Polish Relations 1945-1967" (in Hebrew and Polish), Israel State Archives, Head Office of the State Archives in Poland. The Polish-language volume (Stosunki polsko-izraelskie [1945-1967] Wybor dokumentow) was published in Warsaw by the Head Office of the State Archives.
See their website http://www.archiwa.gov.pl
12. Yehuda Gideon, Acting Director of the East European Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to Commander Avraham Selinger, Head of Bureau 06; Jerusalem, 3 August 1960.
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA 3352/2
A review of the difficulties in obtaining assistance from institutions in Eastern Europe in preparing the indictment in the Eichmann trial, due to their governments' reservations.
13. Rehavam Amir, Israel Minister in Warsaw, to the East European Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Warsaw,
no date.
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA 3352/3
Survey of the Eichmann affair and its influence on Israel-Poland relations. It has been suggested that the Polish government's anxiety on the eve of the trial is due to its concern that Israel will not present the entire Holocaust in its desire to avoid offending some of the West German political leaders, and therefore the defence counsel will try to put the blame on others, such as the Poles. It seems that Poland may decide to avoid cooperating in the Eichmann trial as a result, and probably also in the hope of appeasing the Arabs.
14. Michael Arnon, Counsellor for Press and Information at the Israel Embassy in Washington, to Chaim Yahil,
Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Washington, 5 July 1960
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA/3352/3
A summary of the consultation at the embassy, at which the state of public opinion in the United States with regard to the Eichmann affair was assessed, in light of the many reservations heard regarding the manner of his capture and Israel's right to put him on trial. Presents proposals to ensure a speedy and fair trial and to avoid the impression of a show trial, and suggests that if a death sentence for Eichmann can be avoided, it would make a great impression.
15. Yohanan Cohen, Deputy Director, Information Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to Chaim Yahil, Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Jerusalem, 12 July 1960
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA/3352/3
Analysis of the reactions in the world press as a reflection of public opinion on Eichmann's abduction and his transfer to Israel. Presents proposals for a public relations campaign to deal with problems in this regard.
16. Netanel Lorch, Director of the African Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the Bureau of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Information Division; Jerusalem,
14 August 1960
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA/3352/3
Proposes to take advantage of the Eichmann trial to improve attitudes towards Israel in Africa, by presenting Jews and Africans as victims of racism and sharing the same fate.
17. Menachem Daniv, Chargé d'Affaires, Israel Legation in Budapest to the East European Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Budapest, 14 September 1960
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA3352/3
Review of the reactions in the Hungarian press to the Eichmann affair. The articles emphasize the West German leaders' apprehensions about the trial and its implications for politicians and industrial firms in Germany.
18. Eliahu K. Livneh, Chargé d'Affaires, Israel Legation in Prague to Chaim Yahil, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the East European Division; Prague,
1 February 1961
ISA/RG 130.23/MFA/3352/10
Review of positions presented in the press in Czechoslovakia and the position of the Czechoslovakian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the Eichmann affair. An article in the press emphasized the link between Eichmann and the murder of the children deported from the destroyed Czech village of Lidice. It also demanded to bring to trial Eichmann's accomplices, who are walking around scot free in West Germany.
19. Shimshon Arad, Consul at the Israel Consulate General in New York to the United States Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; New York, 11 May 1961
ISA/RG 93.45/MFA293/15
Review of the positive change in reactions to the Eichmann trial in the United States since the opening of the trial.
20. Aviezer Chelouche, Israel Minister in Belgrade to the East European Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Belgrade, 26 May 1961
ISA/RG 93.39/MFA450/8
Reports discussions with the ambassadors of East European countries on the Eichmann trial, among them a scathing attack by the Soviet ambassador on the way in which the trial is being conducted, and on Israel's failure to expose individuals in high places with a Nazi past in West Germany.