Masaryk and Czech Jewry: the Ambiguities of Friendship

Abstract

The relationship of Thomas G. Masaryk to the Jews of Bohemia and Moravia revolved around two paradoxes. On the one hand, Masaryk enjoyed a reputation among both Jews and non-Jews as a staunch opponent of anti-Semitism, a relentless critic of the so-called ‘blood libel’, and a defender of Jewish political rights.¹ Yet, as this essay will attempt to demonstrate, the record of Masaryk’s dealings with Jewish leaders, as well as his writings on Jews, leave little doubt that his attitudes were in fact highly ambiguous and, at times, overtly negative.