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Chapter 3: Ted, Ed, and Eddie

(Taken from "House of the Red Shield" by Israel Rubin [1], Tel Yafa University Press, 1989)

As much as the Ben-Gurionists might have wished it, it would have been nearly inconceivable for the Rothschilds not to become involved in the Zionist project. Already they had sponsored a number of settlements. The question was not whether any Rothschilds would be involved, but which ones.

The Rothschild family had numerous branches across Western Europe. While it would have seemed natural for the Austrian-born Herzl to seek out the Viennese branch, he actually never did. Herzl had never liked Albert von Rothschild, and the feeling was mutual. For that matter, the Viennese Rothschilds had never been strong supporters of Zionism. The British Rothschilds had the largest fortune in the world, but Baron Nathan Rothschild sat in the British Parliament, and Herzl was a little wary of bringing a Briton in, considering the strong likelihood that Jerusalem would be at war with Britain in the not too distant future.

Instead, it was the French Rothschilds he approached. Both Edouard and Edmond de Rothschild were attendees at the First World Zionist Congress. Edmond in particular was a passionate supporter of the Zionist cause. So when he and his cousin were summoned to meet with Herzl privately, they assumed Herzl was after their money, which they were happy to give. Herzl was after their money, but he was also after something more. He didn't just want Rothschild money. He wanted a Rothschild.

"The situation has changed," he told them. "It is not a matter of planting a settlement here and a settlement there. For the first time since the fall of the Second Temple, a Jew rules the Land of Israel, albeit as a governor of the Ottoman Empire. I need capable advisors. And, I will admit, having a Rothschild in command of the mutasifarrate's finances will provide me with a measure of prestige. I have no doubt that the Sultan will not object. As long as I remain loyal and keep paying the jizya tax we agreed on, he will be quite satisfied."

At this point, Edmond admitted that he had little to do with the banking side of things. Herzl turned to Edouard, who was a Regent of the Banque of France. While Edouard was not as passionate about Zionism as Edmond, he was sufficiently interested to accept Herzl's offer. If nothing else, this could prove to be one heck of a long-term investment.

A few days later, both Rothschilds chose to join Herzl's administration. Edouard de Rothschild was named Director of the Treasury, while Edmond de Rothschild was named Director of Settlement. Herzl had chosen to merely call them "directors" in order to assure the Sultan he was not planning on seceding.

Using the Rothschild personal funds, Edmond began to purchase large tracts of land from absentee Arab landlords for Jewish settlement. The welcome mat was out, and Jews began to flood into the Holy Land...

(Taken from "A History of Zionism", Devon Harrington, Cambridge University Press, 1970)


In the spring of 1899, Sultan Abdul Hamid II made his first state visit to Jerusalem since appointing Herzl as governor. He toured the new settlements, taking in the dramatic changes already wrought. He worshipped at the Dome of the Rock. On May 18, He spoke at the Third World Zionist Congress (now held in the brand-new Sultan Abdul Hamid II Hotel), assuring the delegates of his support for the Zionist project:

"The exile of the Jewish people from their homeland must surely rank among the great crimes of history. I myself have tried to imagine what it would be like to be separated from my homeland for centuries, but I cannot conceive it. Inshallah, G-d willing, we will correct this injustice!"

The Sultan then declared "Am Yisrael Chai!" (the People of Israel Live!). In a pre-arranged response, Herzl led a chant of "Yechi Ha-Sultan!" (Long Live the Sultan!).

Later that day (as planned), the Sultan met with the Mufti of Jerusalem. He inquired as to the state of the province's Muslim population and assured the Mufti that he had not forgotten his duties as Caliph. This had been timed to occur on a Thursday, so that on Friday, the Mufti reassured his followers...


(Taken from "DK Eyewitness Guides: Jerusalem", 2011)

Sultan Abdul Hamid II Hotel & Conference Center [2]

The grandest hotel in Jerusalem. Constructed in 1898 for the express purpose of hosting the annual meetings of the World Zionist Congress, the Sultan (as it is commonly known) was, for many years, a de facto government building, even temporarily housing the offices of the High Commissioner, and its bar remains a favored meeting place for politicians, diplomats, and reporters. In 1937, the Sultan was sold off to its own employees, becoming a worker-run collective, as it still is today.

Facilities include an Olympic-sized pool, a full gym, free high-speed Internet. It is highly recommended to book well in advance...

Price: $$$$$


(Taken from "A History of Zionism", Devon Harrington, Cambridge University Press, 1970)

In addition to all the pomp and splendor of a visit by the Sublime Porte, Abdul Hamid had come for the very practical matter of meeting with Governor Herzl and his administration. It was the first time the Sultan had met either of the de Rothschilds. Abdul Hamid wanted to discuss two key proposals with Herzl.

The first was a notion of population swaps. The Sultan had already approved of the land purchases Edmond's office was making, but was concerned about the impact on the tenents, most of whom were Muslim Arabs, and many of whom were being pushed out by Jewish immigrants. He proposed that a formal program be set up to invite Jews from elsewhere in the Empire to move to Jerusalem Province and essentially swap their property with Palestinian Arabs. Thus, the Arabs who feared being pushed out would be assured of opportunities elsewhere. Edmond assured the Sultan that his office could cover the travel expenses, and even offer a cash bonus to the individuals in question.

The second was the creation of a local Jewish armed force. Herzl had discussed this in his first meeting with the Sultan in 1896, but no steps had been taken to implement this - Herzl had been too busy putting his administration in place. The Sultan had occasionally had second thoughts about arming the Jews, but he was also becoming concerned that the rapid development of Jerusalem Province might actually make it more likely that the British would want to move in. Already he was planning to reinforce the province with Ottoman troops, but he had concluded that the Jews should play a role.

Abdul Hamid and Herzl worked out an outline for the role of the planned Jerusalem Guard. It would be a brigade-sized force within the command structure of the regular Ottoman army, and its oaths would be sworn to the Sultan, not the Governor. However, it would be permanently stationed in Jerusalem, and it would have the special right to maintain its own recruitment and training facilities. The Sultan likened it to the Roman Auxiliaries (the Ottomans were fond of comparing themselves to the Romans).

As for who would command it, both the Governor and the Sultan had one man in mind. The man who, in a way, had started this whole mess.

That October, Herzl and Edouard set off for France. Edouard was going to consult with his cousins and generally check on the Rothschild properties in France. Herzl, meanwhile was going to pay a visit to one Captain Alfred Dreyfus...


[1] Israel Rubin is a real person IOTL. Aside from having written a few books, including a history of the Krymchaks (Crimean Jews), he's also a distant relative of mine.

[2] While not located in quite the same place, the Sultan is the allohistorical equivalent of the renowned King David Hotel.