The Mauritian Shekel: The Story of Jewish Detainees in Mauritius, 1940-1945

by Geneviéve Pitot

Overview

In 1940 thousands of Jews were trying to flee Nazi persecution in Europe. This is the little-known story of a group of 1,600 Jewish refugees who, having escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe, were refused entry into Palestine by the British in 1940 because they were considered 'illegal' immigrants. Their deportation after landing in the Promised Land, Eretz Israel, was unique. As a deterrent to others, they were deported to Mauritius, a remote island in the Indian Ocean. They were detained in a Mauritian prison until the end of the war and were deprived of all basic human rights_even that of family life. This story sheds light on the British government's lack of understanding of the critical problem of Jewish refugees at that time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780742508552
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	10/18/2000
Pages:	270
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.50(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Genevieve Pitot was born and grew up on the island of Mauritius and now resides in Germany.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Prelude to the Years in Exile Chapter 2 Waiting...Hoping...: Formation and Departure of the Convoy Chapter 3 From Vienna and Bratislava to the Black Sea Chapter 4 Tulcea Chapter 5 From Tulcea to Haifa Chapter 6 The British Policy on Jewish Immigration to Palestine Chapter 7 The Decision to Deport the Passengers of the Atlantic is Irrevocable Chapter 8 Arrival at the Camp in Beau Bassin Chapter 9 First Year in Mauritius: Organization of Daily Life Chapter 10 Second Year in Mauritius: Life Goes on—But the Only Aim is to Leave Chapter 11 Third Year in Mauritius: Security Measures are Reinforced Chapter 12 Fourth Year in Mauritius: Breaking the Bonds! Chapter 13 Free at Last: The Return to Palestine Chapter 14 Annex 1. Classification of the Detainees by Nationality (at the time of landing in Mauritius) Chapter 15 Annex2. List of Detainees buried in the Jewish Section of St. Martin Cemetery

Editorial Reviews

Born and raised on the island of Mauritius, Pitot recounts the obscure story of 1,600 Jewish refugees who, having escaped from Nazi-occupied Europe, were refused entry into Palestine by the British in 1940. Detained in a Mauritian prison until the end of the war and deprived of basic human rights, their story sheds light on the British government's lack of understanding of the nature of the crisis at that time. Lacks an index. Originally published in 1998 by Editions VIZAVI. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews