Arab States, Arab Interest Groups and Anti-Zionist Movements in Western Europe and the US

Jul 7, 2026

This thesis traces the history of a transnational pro-Arab and anti-Zionist network in Western Europe and the US from the 1920s to the mid-1970s, culminating in PLO diplomatic advances. Starting with Amin al-Husseini’s Arab national movement, it built an infrastructure to shape Western public opinion by engaging Arab and Islamic actors. Supported by competing Arab states, it combined advocacy and coordinated propaganda, including Arab League campaigns after 1944 and expanded influence in the 1950s through Egypt’s sponsorship.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages486

Reading Time20 h 25 min

Introduction

Pan-Arab and Pan-Islamic Propaganda and the Arab-Jewish Conflict before 1939

Pan-Islamism, the ‘Jewish War against Islam’ and the Crusaders

Anti-Zionist Networks in the US before World War II

The Missionary Network and the origins of Protestant anti-Zionism

The Arab League Propaganda Infrastructure to fight Partition

The Reestablishment of the AHC

ARAB STATES, ARAB INTEREST GROUPS AND ANTI-ZIONIST MOVEMENTS IN WESTERN EUROPE AND THE US Thesis presented to the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of the University of Zurich for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy By Daniel Rickenbacher accepted in the fall semester 2017 on the recommendation of the doctoral committee: Prof. Dr. Hans-Lukas Kieser (main supervisor) Prof. Dr. Erik Petry Prof. Dr. Jeronim Perović Prof. Dr. Matthieu Leimgruber Zurich, 2018 Abstract English This thesis analyzes the history of the transnational pro-Arab and anti-Zionist network in Western Europe and the US from the start of its activity in the 1920s until the mid- 1970s , when the PLO achieved several international diplomatic successes. Since the Palestine conflict’s start, the Arab national movement led by Amin al-Husseini had sought to involve other Arab and Islamic actors to add weight to their cause. Parallelly, it developed an infrastructure to influence Western public opinion. The resultant transnational advocacy network enjoyed the support of Arab states, which competed over influence on Palestine and numerous non-Arab anti-Zionist activists motivated by a diverse array of ideologies. After 1944, the Arab League coordinated a propaganda campaign against Zionism , which failed to prevent the partition of Palestine. In the 1950s however, the Arab League under the sponsorship of Egypt vastly expanded its propaganda network. Besides advocating Egypt’s foreign policy goals, it sought to mainstream Palestinian nationalism. Fatah, which later took over the PLO, meanwhile built its own network, closely interacting with the ascendant New Left. This network was simultaneously involved in propaganda and terrorist activities against Israel and Western targets. The threat of terrorism and economic repercussions by Arab states were eventually successful in pushing Western European governments to accept Palestinian demands and distance themselves from Israel. Abstract Deutsch Diese Arbeit analysiert die Geschichte des transnationalen pro-arabischen und antizionistischen Netzwerks in Westeuropa und den USA bis Mitte der 1970er Jahre. Seit Beginn des Palästina-Konflikts hatte die von Amin al-Husseini geführte arabische Nationalbewegung versucht, andere arabische und islamische Akteure einzubeziehen, um ihrer Sache mehr Gewicht zu verleihen. Parallel dazu entwickelte sie eine Infrastruktur zur Beeinflussung der westlichen öffentlichen Meinung. Das daraus resultierende transnationale Unterstützungsnetzwerk genoss die Unterstützung arabischer Staaten, die um den Einfluss auf Palästina konkurrierten, und zahlreicher nicht-arabischer antizionistischer Aktivisten, die durch eine Vielzahl von Ideologien motiviert waren. Nach 1944 koordinierte die Arabische Liga eine Propagandakampagne gegen den Zionismus, die die Teilung Palästinas nicht verhindern konnte. In den 1950er Jahren baute die Arabische Liga unter der Schirmherrschaft Ägyptens dieses Propagandanetzwerk weiter aus. Neben dem Eintreten für die außenpolitischen Ziele Ägyptens war es bestrebt, den palästinensischen Nationalismus fördern. Die Fatah, die später die PLO übernahm, baute gleichzeitig ein eigenes Netzwerk auf, indem sie eng mit der aufsteigenden Neuen Linken zusammenarbeitete. Dieses Netzwerk war sowohl an Propaganda-als auch an Terroraktivitäten gegen Israel und westliche Ziele beteiligt. Die Bedrohung durch den Terrorismus und wirtschaftlichen Sanktionen der arabischen Staaten bewegten die westeuropäischen Regierungen schliesslich dazu , palästinensische Forderungen zu akzeptieren und sich von Israel zu distanzieren. Contents Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 6 1 Pan-Arab and Pan-Islamic Propaganda and the Arab-Jewish Conflict before 1939 .............................................................................................................................. 26 1

FAQs

What time period does the thesis cover?

The thesis analyzes the network’s history from its start in the 1920s until the mid-1970s, when the PLO achieved notable international diplomatic successes.

How did Amin al-Husseini’s movement influence the transnational network?

The Arab national movement led by Amin al-Husseini sought to involve other Arab and Islamic actors and developed an infrastructure to influence Western public opinion.

What role did the Arab League play in anti-Zionist efforts?

After 1944 the Arab League coordinated a propaganda campaign against Zionism, and in the 1950s it expanded this propaganda network under Egypt’s sponsorship to mainstream Palestinian nationalism.

Jul 7, 2026

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