Sometimes described as a female Laurence of Arabia, Gertrude Bell was a British intelligence officer in the Middle East at the turn of the last century and architect of the modern kingdom of Iraq, which came under British control after the defeat of the Ottomans. A film about her life, Letters from Baghdad, has just been released. Bell’s writings (extracts below) show a high regard for the influential Jewish community, and the expectation that able figures, such as Sasson Heskel ( she refers to him as Sasun Effendi), the future finance minister, would be key to the building of the new Iraq. Click here to find a listing of films screenings. (with thanks: Lisette)
Gertrude Bell: ‘cultivated’ Jews of Baghdad
“The Jews form a very important part of the population, rich, intelligent, cultivated and active. One example of their attitude towards the new order will be enough to show their quality. It has been given out that all the subjects of the Sultan would ultimately be called upon to perform military service; the law (which has since been passed) had not yet assumed a definite shape and many were of the opinion that it would be found impossible to frame it. Not so theJews of Baghdad. As soon as the idea of universal service had been conceived, a hundred young men of the Jewish community applied for leave to enter the military school so that they might lose no time in qualifying to serve as officers. The permission was granted, and I trust that they may now be well on the road to promotion. The Christians showed no similar desire to take up the duties of the soldier. (Amurath to Amurath, 1911)
“I’m now going to cultivate the Jew community – there are 80, 000 in Baghdad out of a pop. of 200, 000- and find out more about them. So far, I’ve only met the bigwigs, such as the Chief Rabbi. There’s no doubt they will be a great power here some day. ” (Letter to her parents, 1917)
“I’m making great friends with two Jews, brothers one rather famous, as a member of the Committee of Union and Progress and a deputy for Baghdad. His name is Sasun Effendi. They have recently come back from Constantinople (Istanbul) – they were at the first tea party I gave for you here. I’ve known Sha’al’s wife and family a long time. They are very interesting and able men. Sasun, with his reputation and his intelligence, ought to be a great help.” (Letter to her parents, 1920)
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