Eichmann Trial -- Session 90 -- Cross-examination of the Accused

The footage begins in the middle of the session. Attorney General Gideon Hausner cross-examines Adolf Eichmann about threats he made to Josef Loewenherz, head of the Jewish community of Vienna. Eichmann warned Loewenherz that if he did not comply with Eichmann's demands, Eichmann would bring back the horrors of Kristallnacht. Eichmann examines the document that contains the statement made by Loewenherz (00:02:43). Hausner asks the accused again to look at the document. The accused begins to answer and Hausner, visibly agitated, yells at Eichmann for a clear answer (00:05:27). Hausner presents documents to the accused in which Eichmann demands that certain property be turned over to his office or the family living there will be sent to Buchenwald (00:05:52). Eichmann replies that he had nothing to do with Buchenwald and could not have enforced such a threat. All the footage on this tape to this point is duplicated at the very end of Tape 2126 (at 00:39:34) but is more complete on Tape 2128. The Attorney General then questions Eichmann about forcing a man named Stahl to write a letter of apology for having criticized the Central Office for Emigration (00:12:37) and goes on to accuse Eichmann of controlling the Jewish community of Vienna while he was in Berlin (00:14:47). Eichmann testifies that he was responsible for the Jewish community of Vienna but when Hausner asks him if he controlled all parts of Jewish life such as the payment of pensions, the sale of the Jewish pharmacy, and the distribution of matzot Eichmann claims that he was not responsible for these aspects of life. Hausner questions the accused about the connection between the transfer of money from Viennese Jews to their relatives in the General Government and emigration (00:19:20). Hausner presses for an answer as to why Eichmann's department was involved in this matter. Eichmann explains that this was the attempt made to set up a Jewish state in Radom, a precursor to the Madagascar Plan. The Loewenherz Report is discussed at length, although Eichmann states that he had not read all of the report, only those excerpts which were read to him by a Captain Less during interrogation (00:22:03). Hausner turns to a meeting held on 3 July 1940 with the representatives of the Jewish communities of Prague, Vienna, and Berlin and the presence of Obersturmfuehrer Dannecker at this meeting (00:32:46). Eichmann states that his presence must have had something to do with the Madagascar Plan. Theodor Dannecker was an "SS officer who specialized in organizing the deportation of Jews from Nazi-occupied Europe," operating mostly in France and Bulgaria. He worked directly under Adolf Eichmann and was a major collaborator in the deportations of thousands of Jews to concentration camps. Finally, the accused is questioned about whether or not his section was in total control of Jewish life in the Reich (00:42:06), which Eichmann denies. Judge Landau adjourns the session until the following morning (00:45:47) and all rise as the judges exit the courtroom (00:46:00). Eichmann removes his headphones and is escorted out of the booth (00:46:16). The camera focuses on the lawyers at the defense and prosecution tables. There are various shots of the courtroom and the audience. People exit the courtroom. Emil Knebel was a cinematographer known for Andante (2010), Adam (1973), and Wild Is My Love (1963). He was one of the cameramen who recorded daily coverage of the Eichmann trial in Jerusalem (produced by Capital Cities Broadcasting Corp and later held academic positions in Israel and New York teaching filmmaking at universities. Refer to CV in file.