ABSTRACT
Negotiations with the German government were initiated by a certain Palestinian Jew by the name of Sam Cohen, and these were then taken over by the Zionist leadership in Palestine. In summer 1933 the so-called Haavara (transfer) agreement was signed between the Jewish Agency and the German government, specifically its economic bodies. The basis for negotiations, Felix Kersten wrote, would be complete German withdrawal from occupied territories, the removal of Hitler, the disbandment of the Nazi Party, a democratic constitution, and the trial of top Nazis for war crimes. Himmler sent Schellenberg, who met twice with Abraham S. Hewitt. According to Kersten's memoirs, Himmler could not accept the idea of a trial of top Nazis but was prepared to continue the negotiations. The United States was prepared for neutrals of some sort to enter into holding negotiations with the Nazis in order to save lives, provided no ransom was paid in goods or money.
