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✡ Foundations Herzl Hechler Partnership 17

tunity and mutuality. Hechler became Kaiser’s private anti-Semitic feelings
Herzl’s friend, mentor and confidante. for the Jew.
Over the next six years, their relation- The Kaiser had already rejected the
ship and trust grew as Hechler laboured usefulness of Herzl and Zionism for
on behalf of Herzl and Zionism. Germany, but the press had no idea
Hechler opened the door for Herzl, of this. They saw the Kaiser publicly,
first with the Duke of Baden. He taught warmly, greeting Herzl. Headlines
Herzl how to dress, talk, and present electrified the world and especially
himself with a presence that the Duke the Jewish world: “Benevolent Sanc-
would receive and accept. Later, the tion Given to the Zionist Movement.”
lessons that Hechler taught Herzl, as Herzl, and his Zionist vision, was
Hechler continued to open doors to the legitimised.
German court, led Herzl all the way to Herzl and Hechler continued pour-
the Kaiser. ing their life’s blood into Zionism. Their
Through the chain of Hechler’s struggle was beyond what most could
links and Herzl’s quick-study skills, endure. Though only 44, it was Herzl’s
the Kaiser received Herzl privately. But heart that gave out. On 3 July 1904 he
Herzl needed public affirmation of him- died. The last non-family to be by the
self and Zionism. The opportunity came dying Herzl’s side was the man who
two years later during a state visit by stood by him first, Rev Hechler.
Kaiser Wilhelm II to Palestine outside Herzl’s and Hechler’s dream and
the small Jewish agricultural school of vision was not a success, at least not
Mikveh Israel. yet. But less than 50 years later it would
Herzl, in a semi-staged reception, be. The narrow path the improbable Rev William Hechler pictured
met the Kaiser publicly. Before the cam- English clergyman and the Jew began with his family, and below the
eras and the press, the Kaiser stopped walking down together would widen remarkable quote engraved
to warmly greet Herzl. It did not matter into a road of BESHERT destiny with on Hechler’s headstone
that the public reception of Herzl by the the birth of the modern State of Israel
German ruler was different from the in 1948.

ISAIAH 62:10
ISAIAH 62:10

CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE

BALFOUR DECLARATION

EBENEZER OPENING THE ROAD TO ZION
OPERATION EXODUS

WWW .OPERATION-EXODUS.ORG - ASSISTING JEWISH PEOPLE TO MAKE ALIY AH SINCE 1991