Three Worlds

Three Worlds, by Avi Shlaim, delves into the rich tapestry of Shlaim's life, starting from a poignant moment in July 1950 when, at the tender age of five, he and his family were compelled to flee their beloved home in Iraq for the nascent state of Israel. This autobiographical narrative not only recounts Shlaim's personal journey but also vividly illustrates the broader historical context and complex realities facing the Iraqi Jewish community.

This once flourishing community, boasting a history of over 2,600 years and numbering more than 150,000 members, has now dwindled to mere single figures. Through his sophisticated prose and deeply personal recollections, Shlaim confronts the conventional narratives that often portray the exodus of Jews from Arab countries as an inevitable clash between Arab and Jewish civilisations, framing Zionism as the saviour of Jews from backward nations and ceaseless persecution.

Shlaim challenges this accepted script by offering a more nuanced perspective. His mother, for example, had numerous Muslim friends in Baghdad but was unaffiliated with any Zionist groups. Upon their arrival in Israel, members of the Iraqi Jewish community, famed for their long-standing heritage and vibrant culture, were subjected to degrading treatment, including being sprayed with DDT. Shlaim provocatively suggests that the rise of anti-Semitism in Iraq may have been exacerbated, perhaps intentionally, by the Zionist underground.

Three Worlds is not merely a memoir but a tribute to the disappearing heritage of Arab-Jews who found themselves ensnared in the ideological crossfire. Shlaim's narrative captures the beauty and pain of a community uprooted, offering a critical reflection on identity, memory, and the forces that shape our histories.

In recounting this personal and communal journey, Shlaim invites readers to re-examine the simplistic binaries of Arab and Jewish relations and to appreciate the rich, multifaceted history of Arab-Jews, a community that once thrived in harmony with its diverse neighbours. This is a must-read for anyone interested in Middle Eastern history, Jewish studies, and the ongoing dialogue between past and present.