Module 3: Trailblazers

Contact on Probation

At a time when relations are still extremely tentative, characterized by insecurities and mutual wariness, it is strong individual personalities who begin to cross bridges – or even realize that bridges exist which one could cross. Ben-Gurion claims, in the face of bitter opposition from many Israelis, that the Germany of today is not the Germany of yesterday. In artistic, economic and eventually political contexts, these individuals overcome great psychological barriers, and with their determination and courage help stabilize and consolidate contacts. They march forward and pave the way – so that German things in Israel and Israeli things in Germany can gradually become almost part of everyday life.

  • ”All reasonable Germans want peace with Israel.“

    In 1951, the journalist and former Wehrmacht soldier Erich Lüth (1902-1989) joins resistance fighter and Social Democrat Rudolf Küstermeier (1903-1977) to found the noted initiative “Peace with Israel”. Lüth travels to Israel as early as 1952 to begin dialog.

Felix Burian and the VW Beetle

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Felix Burian in Vienna, shortly before his emigration to Palestine
© Felix Burian, Privatsammlung

As a cult object, the Volkswagen Beetle revolutionized the automobile industry – first it was the central project of the National Socialist organization ”Kraft durch Freude“ (“Strength through Joy”), then it became the most common car in post-war Germany and a symbol of the economic miracle. Initially hated ”German-ness“ became, in the form of Volkswagen, increasingly present in daily Israeli life, and ultimately influenced – quite incidentally – the typical Israeli urban landscape.

In 1930, Felix Burian and his parents flee from Vienna to Palestine. His grandparents in Vienna along with all of his father’s brothers are murdered by the National Socialists. In Palestine, Burian completes an apprenticeship as a car mechanic and opens his first workshop in the center of Tel Aviv in 1946. When the border is opened for the free import of cars in 1960, he becomes the first Volkswagen dealer in Israel. Burian’s workshop and car lot – ”Felix & Co“ – grows to become a major dealership which he runs until 2000.

In a time when many Israelis want nothing to do with German manufacturing, Burian establishes business contact with Germany: ”It wasn’t complicated. Only people who were really interested in Volkswagen came to see me. I had purchases from parliamentarians, police officers and high-level military figures. And I have to say, no-one said a bad word to me. They abused the Beetle, in the papers etc., but not me personally. I convinced people by saying that today we have much greater enemies than the Germans, and the Germans pay. So why not? The people bought the cars and were very happy with them.“

Burian overcomes major barriers in building up his business. His contact to VW staff and German engineers has created friendships lasting until this day.