Research project on Jewish colonial experiences

The Senate of the Leibniz Association has selected a three-year project for funding, that explores Jewish colonial experiences under the titel »Ambivalent Pasts«. The aim is to gain a nuanced view of the interrelationships between Jewish experiences, colonial rule, anti-colonial movements, and processes of decolonization. To this end, four individual studies are being conducted at the Leibniz Institute for Jewish History and Culture – Simon Dubnow in Leipzig, the Leibniz Institute for European History (IEG) in Mainz, and the Chair of Global History at the University of Marburg.

The project focuses on the ambivalent Jewish positions between inclusion and exclusion, native and foreign, colonizer and colonized. In this way, the dichotomies that are often encountered in public debates are to be undermined. The geographical focus is on the Mediterranean region during the period of upheaval in the mid-20th century. At the same time, the focus is shifted from the Israeli-Arab conflict to experiences that have been neglected until now. Analyzing these connections can contribute to a better understanding of current debates on colonialism, racism, and anti-Semitism.