I would like to write something about a - a bit forgotten - man whose impact on history of few countries (and very destructive one) should be remembered, and whose trial in Nuremberg would not only have served justice but maybe (just maybe) could help to avoid or minimize (more probably) some wars.
The man is Mohamed Said Haj Amin al-Hussaini, Great Mufti of Jerusalem., at the beginning British friend, later British and Jewish mortal enemy, rabidly antisemitic, great friend of Hitler, ambitious and power-thirsty, not a stranger to killing his own brethren if it could give him gain.
Cruel, intelligent, brilliant manipulator, he started career as a Turkish soldier after quitting Muslim University in Cairo. He was also British spy during the I WW believing in British promise to create "huge independent Arab kingdom" given a little bit later than Balfour declaration. He probably believed Jerusalem would count in but possibly could pass it if not for the fact that in 1917 UK has ceased Syrian and Lebanese territory to French rule (and that was supposed to be territory for Arab kingdom). The pact was secret, signed in Moscow, but after taking power over by Bolsheviks it was made public and caused Haj Amin to turn against Great Britain. He returned to Jerusalem and started working on increasing anti-British and anti-Jewish feelings among Arabs. The first riots that were his doings started in 1920 and for his role in starting them he was sentenced for 10 years by British. He escaped to newly created Transjordan (being 80% of British mandate and - as an Arab wish granted by British - being out of Jewish limits, therefore being effectively this vast Arab kingdom).
In 1922 when former mufti of Jerusalem passed away British authorities had to nominate a new one. Haj Amin, young and not scholarly, was NOT on a short list of candidates, but aiming at turning their enemy into friend again British authorities nominated him after pardoning his sentence. The aim wasn't met.
For 6 years Haj Amin was gaining support. He didn't trust educated Arabs of higher class, instead he turned towards bazaars and villages to organize and turn fanatic masses. He was the spiritus movens of riots and pogroms in 1928 in Jrusalem and 1929 in Hebron and in 1936 he started Arab strikes and later anti-British riots that turned into domestic Arab war. Over 2,000 people among Arabs were killed by Haj Amin's orders. Mostly well educated, moderate Arabs (the main crime was to good knowledge of English) therefore taking such needed middle class for the stormy period of late 1940s.
Banned from British territory he found refuge in French Lebanon and - as from 1936 he had excellent relationships with German Nazis - after supporting Iraqi antibritish movement - he foundhome in Berlin.
He was great friend of Hitler, was sending Arabs as spies behind British lines in North Africa, was the one who helped to create 2 SS divisions among Balkan Muslims, was very well aware of ongoing Holocaust and in few instances helped to prevent the victims from escaping (e.g. 4,000 Jewish children from Bulgaria who could have reached Palestine if not for his intervention).
After war he was to take place among accused in Nuremberg but French, disappointed by their loosing Syria and Lebanon helped him to stay in France. When in 1946 American seconded British demands to hand him over he was discreetly helped to go to Cairo.
During Independence war in Israel he made sure as many Arab parties as possible are involved (for the sake of not only winning but also gaining power due to interarab disputes). In September 1948 he proclaimed Palestinian government which threatened Jordan's interest causing king Abdullah to order ceasing support for Arab Legion. As a revenge Haj Amin took part in 1951 assassination of king Abdullah.
After 1948 war he lived in Lebanon until his death in 1974. He was Yasir Arafat's uncle and declared patriotic symbol which says volumes (when you think about his Nazi past) about Palestinian authority origins.
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