The Cairo List

After World War II, the Arab world gained a decidedly pro-Nazi image among many commentators. Both media outlets and academics alike reinforced the view that the “slogans of Nazi philosophy made an infinitely stronger appeal to the Arab masses" than Western democracy. Especially after the appearance of Haj Amin al-Husseini in Cairo, increasingly, Egypt was singled out as a veritable "El Dorado" for ex-Nazis looking to continue the the struggle against Jews (manifested through the creation of Israel). The items in this exhibit highlight the creation and evolution of "The Cairo List" of Germans that supposedly found refuge in Egypt. The names would periodically reappear in various combinations in everything from newspapers articles, academic books, and even touted in U.S. Congress when the need arose to properly chide Egypt's military and political conflict with Israel.