Historically, Jews had a strong presence in Egypt. Yet overtime, the number of Jews living in Egypt drastically declined. Despite this decline, many Jews believed that they could be both Jewish and Egyptian (Silvera, 1999). This belief was widely influenced by the fact that Egypt was a peaceful, prosperous place. However, after the creation of Israel, many Egyptian Jews found themselves forced to identify themselves as Egyptian or Jewish (Beinin, 2010). The external events happening throughout the world, including the creation of Israel, the Arab/Israeli War, and the growing international pressure, forced Egyptian Jews to identify themselves as either Egyptian or Jewish.
Prior to the creation of Israel, many Jews living in Egypt were content. Egypt was largely regarded as a land of opportunity, and the Jews were widely aware of their fortune. Silvera (1999) further concurs in describing the Jews in Egypt as a “large, happy lot, the envy of many of their co-religionists scatter in less welcoming homelands around the Mediterranean” (p. 173). Despite the prosperous conditions in Egypt, the creation of Israel caused many Jews to question their identity. From one perspective it could be argued that Israel was a Jewish state, dedicated to the Jewish identity. However, Egyptian Jews had been living in Egypt throughout history. Even though Israel was meant to be a Jewish state, reflective of Jewish needs, many Egyptian Jews were conflicted at the prospect of identifying themselves as either Egyptian or Israeli (Beinin, 2010). From this perspective, it could be argued that some Egyptian Jews had never known any other land or culture. Instead, being an Egyptian Jew was everything they knew, and the prospect of having to leave the only lives they had grown accustomed to seemed outrageous. In viewing the situation from this perspective, it could be argued that at this point in history it was possible to be both Egyptian and Jewish.
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The prospect of Jews living in Egypt having to identify themselves as either Egyptian or Israeli was initially challenging for many Jews living in Egypt. As addressed by Beinin (2010) many Jews in Egypt did not identify themselves as either Egyptian or Israeli. Instead, they were content with having a mixed identity and living in a prosperous region that accepted their cultural values. Furthermore, Egypt held a special place in the heart of Jews. According to Benin “The Jewish connection to Egypt, even if partly mythological, is ancient. The Biblical stories of Abraham, Joseph, and the Exodus incorporate Egypt into the sacred geography of the Jewish tradition, and these narratives were regularly invoked.” The religious history of Egypt helped many Jews to feel connected to the region. However, the same arguments could be made about the newly created Israel. Even though Egyptian Jews may not have had a physical connection with the newly created country, the historical and religious context of the region was heavily documented in Jewish history. Yet from a different perspective, it could further be argued that the Jews living in Egypt were in fact a minority. Although historically more Jews lived in Egypt, the number of Jews living in the regions during the early 1900’s drastically declined (Silvera, 1999). This left many Jews living in a predominantly Arab country. Yet, many Jews were able to come to peace with the mixed cultural and religious heritage of Egypt. As a result of this inner peace, many Jews living in Egypt initially believed that the country that had welcomed them centuries before would continue to be their homes for centuries to come. Furthermore, the ability for the Egyptian Jews to live in peace with their Arab neighbors further supported the prospect that the two very different religions could live together in peace.
Although Egyptian Jews may not have wanted to make a choice between Egypt and Israel, in time their choice would eventually be made for them. The external events following the creation of Israel directly affected how the Muslim world perceived Jews. Silvera (1999) further concurs in arguing the rise of Zionism made it increasingly complicated for Egyptian Jews to take a neutral stance on their identity. In response, Egyptian Jews discussed their stance with Rabbi’s throughout the world. In one letter, an Egyptian Jew “asked the rabbi to, “Please explain to our brothers that one can be an excellent patriot of the country of one’s birth while being a perfect Jewish nationalist. One does not exclude the other” (Benin, 2010). Despite their best efforts, Egyptian Jews found their request unfulfilled. Yet after the Arab/Israeli War, the prospect of identifying one’s self as Jewish and Egyptian slipped away. The people of the Arab world, and the newly created Israel, as well as the rest of the world, had different interpretations as to which side Egyptian Jews should support. The Arabs believed that the Jews wrongly stole Israel from Palestine. In contrast, the Jews in Israel believe that their land was rightfully returned to them, after being exiled from the region centuries earlier. Although Egyptian Jews tried to take a neutral stance, the prospect of neutrality was no longer an option. Instead, Egyptian Jews were forced to take a side and determine whether or not they were Egyptian or Jewish.
Jews have a long-standing history in Egypt. Despite this history, the creation of Israel changed the way Egyptian Jews knew life. Prior to this period, Egyptian Jews believed they could be both Egyptian and Jewish. Yet after the creation of Israel, and the external pressures placed on this population, many Egyptian Jews were forced to make a choice as to whether or not they were Egyptian or Jewish. Although the creation of Israel was meant to be a Jewish state, the creation of this country adversely affected the lives of Jews living in Egypt who identified themselves as both Egyptian and Jewish.
- Beinin J. Egyptian Jewish Identities. Stanford University, 2010. Web. 21, March 21, 2015.
- Silvera A. “The Jews of Egypt.” Middle Eastern Studies 35.2 (1999): 172-181. Web.
