Autograph letter signed by Ze'ev Jabotinsky. Jerusalem, 3 July 1928. German.

Letter written on official stationery, addressed to Dr. Max Kiwe – a leader of the Austrian Revisionist Zionists:

"Dear Mr. Kiwe, Many thanks for your efforts, and for your [hand-drawn swastika
] order. I am confident that everything will proceed properly […] Our newspaper is doing well, and 'Köstler' is one of the most valuable workers […]". Signed: "Yours faithfully, V. Jabotinsky".

Apparently, Jabotinsky is thanking Dr. Kiwe for the exemplary discipline (a "Nazi-style" orderliness) with which he ran his organization. A letter penned by a Zionist leader bearing a swastika drawn in his own hand is an exceedingly rare and unusual item.

Ze’ev (Vladimir) Jabotinsky (1880-1940), founder of the Revisionist Zionist movement and a seminal figure in Zionist history, was frequently accused of promoting Fascist ideas and symbols (particularly within the Betar movement, known for its parades, military-style decorum, and brown uniforms reminiscent of the SA). On the eve of the Nazi rise to power, the Revisionist newspaper "Hazit HaAm" published various statements sympathetic to Fascist movements, and occasionally even to Nazism and Hitler himself – though never by Jabotinsky personally (for references, see Hebrew description). After the Nazis rose to power, the movement's leaders fully disavowed any association with the party or its ideology.

To the best of our knowledge, this is the only known letter by Jabotinsky bearing a swastika in his handwriting, and the only one that seemingly expresses a positive sentiment towards certain aspects of Nazism.

[1] leaf. Approx. 28 cm. Good condition. Minor stains. Fold lines and creases. Minor marginal tears. Pinholes at fold intersections. Two pieces of acid-free tape on verso.

For reference, see Hebrew description.