Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Nazi-Hunter Wiesenthal Worked for Israel

Biography counters belief that Israel didn't actively go after Nazis

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Sep 2, 2010 7:29 AM CDT

(Newser) – Simon Wiesenthal wasn't the one-man Nazi-hunting organization he was seen as, but a longtime agent of the Israeli secret service—who, contrary to what has long been believed, played an active role in locating Nazis, according to a new biography. Author Tom Segev, whose Simon Wiesenthal: The Life and Legends hits shelves this week, says he interviewed the Holocaust survivor's Mossad handlers after discovering their names in his private papers, the New York Times reports.

Israel worked with Wiesenthal, an Austrian, from the earliest days of its creation, Segev says. He was provided with an Israeli passport and a monthly salary and tasked with finding Nazi war criminals and reporting on the activities of former Nazis in Arab countries. Segev says his findings call for a rethink of the view that Israel took little interest in tracking down Nazis before Adolf Eichmann's capture in 1960, or afterward. His book describes a failed attempt by Wiesenthal, working with Israeli agents, to capture Eichmann in Austria in 1949.

Visitors to the Museum of Tolerance view photos of Simon Wiesenthal, who was responsible for bringing more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals to trial.
Visitors to the Museum of Tolerance view photos of Simon Wiesenthal, who was responsible for bringing more than 1,100 Nazi war criminals to trial.   (Getty Images)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

This requires us to adjust in some small way our view of history. - Wiesenthal biographer Tom Segev

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
0%
26%
0%
61%
4%
9%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 5 comments
jeffsalzberg
Sep 2, 2010 8:28 AM CDT
"reporting on the activities of former Nazis in Arab countries" When we hear, once again, that the Arab countries want peace and that it's all Israel's fault, let's remember their collaboration -- before, during, and after the war -- with the Nazis.

More Newser Stories

Israel, Iran Terrorists Are Killing Scientists: Officials

Israel Spy Chief: Iran Won't Have Nuke Til 2015

Saudi Arabia Arrests Vulture ... as Israeli Spy

Israeli Rabbi Blesses Spies' 'Honeytrap' Sex

Suspected Mossad Spy Arrested in Hamas Slaying


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne