Jewish nationalism and international diplomacy: Ze’ev Jabotinsky and the Revisionist Zionists at the League of Nations

This article examines the engagement of Ze’ev Jabotinsky and the Revisionist Zionists with the League of Nations during the interwar period, illuminating a paradox: the utilization of an international institution traditionally associated with liberal ideals by a right-wing nationalist leader. The study posits that the Revisionists perceived the League and its institutions as critical vehicles for advancing their agenda. It elucidates the complex dynamics of intra-Zionist rivalry in Geneva and investigates the challenges encountered by the Revisionists at the League. The article analyses the Revisionists’ attempts to influence the League through petitions and press conferences, highlighting their limited efficacy. Their uncompromising stance and limited diplomatic acumen contrasted with the World Zionist Organization's established presence and cultivation of relationships.