Eichmann Trial -- Session 91 -- Cross-examination of the Accused

Footage begins late in the session during the cross-examination of the accused by Attorney General Gideon Hausner. Adolf Eichmann is asked a series of questions about the Madagascar Plan, including whether or not Reinhard Heydrich made efforts to implement it (00:04:05) and who opposed the plan. [The Madagascar Plan was an idea to resettle the Jews on the island of Madagascar]. Hausner asks the accused if the main objective was to send the Jews there to die (00:07:19). Eichmann maintains that the plan was not to exterminate or annihilate the Jews (00:07:49) and Hausner points out that there would have been no way for the Jews to earn a living in Madagascar (00:10:52). Eichmann replies to Hausner's statement but only part of the English translation is heard. Footage cuts out from 00:12:37 to 00:12:50. Eichmann's reply to the question of how the Jews were supposed to earn a living in Madagascar is repeated. The English translation to his answer, which was cut off in the last segment, is presented in full. Hausner then questions the accused about his reference to the deportations to the East and whether he was referring to deportation for extermination (00:14:23). Judge Benjamin Halevi asks Eichmann how many native inhabitants lived in Madagascar and where these people were to be resettled (00:19:42). Footage resumes with Eichmann testifying as to whether the plan had been approved (00:22:47) and why it had not been implemented (00:23:08). He is questioned about his resolve to carry out the deportations (00:25:00). Hausner accuses Eichmann of foiling every attempt made at emigration (00:30:40). Eichmann responds by stating that emigration was stopped by Heinrich Himmler and that Heinrich Müller was in charge of emigration (00:30:53). When asked if he ever fought Jewish emigration Eichmann testifies that he did not. Hausner presents the case of Gisi Fleischmann and Kollman and asks the accused if he was responsible for stopping their attempt at escape to Afghanistan in 1941 (00:33:23). Hausner reads from a document ordering their deportation (00:34:51). Eichmann testifies that although his name appears on the document, he signed "by order," and was therefore merely following orders. When Eichmann does not give a clear answer to Hausner's questions, the Attorney General accuses him of lying (00:38:51). Defense counsel Robert Servatius is shown rising from his chair (00:39:41) and tells the court that the accused is being charged with lying (00:40:08). Judge Landau dismisses the charge. The remainder of the cross-examination for this session is an attempt to clarify the terminology ("im Auftrage" or "i. A.") used in documents signed by Eichmann (00:41:20). Presiding Judge Moshe Landau asks to adjourn (00:48:32) and all rise as the judges exit the courtroom (00:48:56). Shots of the audience rising. Eichmann, escorted by guards, exits the booth (00:49:11). There are shots of the audience. Servatius gathers documents from his table. Hausner exits, followed by Servatius (00:49:37). The camera lingers on the empty booth. 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.