Esther Webman, 1947–2020

Abstract

Esther Webman, 1947–2020 Dina Porat (bio) Dr. Esther Webman, a dear friend for decades and an outstanding scholar (who was on the advisory board of this journal, among others) passed away suddenly on June 16, 2020. We find ourselves in deep mourning, and with the certainty that Esti—as she was fondly called by her many friends and colleagues—has left behind a void that cannot be filled. Esti's research was well-known internationally and highly acclaimed. She stood at the forefront of scholarship on antisemitism and perceptions of the Holocaust in the Arab and Muslim worlds. Her leadership in this field was evident in her many publications and numerous conference papers and lectures. She distinguished herself by her original thinking, sharp and critical eye, and deep understanding of the political and social realities in the Arab world at large, whether today, or in the recent past. Esti's writing was always lucid and well balanced, and she shied away from any sort of exaggeration or extremism. Born in Cairo, Esti grew up speaking Arabic and French as a child. She had a gift for languages and later in life wrote impeccable English. After being driven out of Egypt, her family immigrated to Israel. She grew up in Migdal Ha'Emek, a small town in the Galilee, and was educated in an excellent boarding school, always standing at the top of her class. She served as a lieutenant in an elite IDF intelligence unit that later became known as 8200. [End Page 388] Upon completing her army service shortly after the Six Day War, Esti embarked on a brilliant academic career at Tel Aviv University, winning the highest praise of her professors. Click for larger view View full resolution Figure 1. Photo of Esther Webman. Reprinted with permission of Esther's family. Esti served as a senior researcher and editor-in-chief of publications at the Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies. She was a staff member at the Stephen Roth Institute for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism, and at the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry, all housed at Tel Aviv University. Among her many publications are From Empathy to Denial: Arab Responses to the Holocaust, co-authored with Meir Litvak. This book won the gold prize of the Washington Institute for Middle Eastern Policy in 2010. She authored the sections on the Arab world for the reports on antisemitism that were published annually by the Stephen Roth Institute, and then by the Kantor Center beginning [End Page 389] in 1994. Those texts were exemplary in their accuracy, depth of analysis, use of a multitude of sources, and were characterized by their courageous assessments. Esti will be best remembered because of the steadfastness she displayed in defending the findings she reached after delving into a variety of primary sources. She insisted that in recent years, if one listened carefully, one could hear new voices in the Arab and Muslim worlds that deviate from the well-known antipathy toward Jews and the Jewish State, especially among intellectuals and political analysts. These bold individuals highlight the damage caused to the reputations of Arabs and Muslims in the West when The Protocols of the Elders of Zion or the idea that Jews use blood for ritual purposes are hailed as absolute truth along with other ludicrous notions about Jews. Esti had high hopes that these moderate voices would pave the way to at least a modest reconciliation between Israel and its neighbors. Those hopes matched her political and social convictions, which always led her to champion the rights of others, minorities, and the weak and disadvantaged. She leaves behind a son Oded, a daughter Adi, and a grandson Adam who was the apple of her eye. Her memory will definitely be a blessing. [End Page 390] Dina Porat Dina Porat is head of the Kantor Center for the Study of Contemporary European Jewry and incumbent of the Alfred P. Slaner Chair in Antisemitism and Racism at Tel Aviv University. She is also chief historian of Yad Vashem. Her most recent book is Vengeance and Recompence are Mine: The Yishuv, the Holocaust and...