The Holocaust, the French, and the Jews

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Many recent accounts have highlighted the collaboration of French authorities with anti-Jewish German policies during World War II. However, approximately 76 percent of France's Jews survived, a higher rate than in most Western European countries. This raises the question of how such a phenomenon occurred, especially given that the Vichy government began implementing racial laws before the Germans mandated them. To explore why over 250,000 Jews remained alive, Susan Zuccotti investigates the responses of the French people to the Holocaust. Utilizing memoirs, government documents, and survivor interviews, she shares the experiences of both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals. These narratives reveal a spectrum of actions, from betrayal to courageous acts of protection. Notable figures include Pierre Laval, who authorized deportations, and Pastor Andre Trocme, who mobilized his community to save thousands. The book also delves into how Jews perceived their peril and their responses, showcasing individuals like Denise Caraco Siekierski, a Jewish student who led a Resistance network, and Marc Chagall, who ultimately fled to Spain. Zuccotti concludes that various factors contributed to survival, including France's geography and the passive support of ordinary citizens who chose silence over denunciation. This silence, she argues, played a crucial role in the survival of many Jews, suggesting that the French response to the Holocaust