Comparisons: Arthur Asseraf, ‘”A New Israel”: Colonial Comparisons and the Algerian Partition That Never Happened’, French Historical Studies, 41, 1, 2018, 95-120 | settler colonial studies blog

Comparisons: Arthur Asseraf, ‘”A New Israel”: Colonial Comparisons and the Algerian Partition That Never Happened’, French Historical Studies, 41, 1, 2018, 95-120

24Jan18

Abstract: In 1960–62 French officials considered partitioning Algeria between European- and Muslim-majority areas, much later and more seriously than the existing historiography shows. Even supporters of partition, however, remained ambivalent, regarding it as a “foreign” approach to decolonization opposed to French principles of territorial unity and racial equality. Thus they discussed partition by comparing Algeria to foreign models, in particular the partition of the British Mandate of Palestine that led to the creation of the state of Israel. Drawing on the private papers of Prime Minister Michel Debré, the writings of Alain Peyrefitte, and archives from the Ministries of Algerian and Foreign Affairs, this article argues that partition plans were failed attempts to deflect colonialism by looking sideways. To do so, the supporters of partition made use of comparison, a long-standing tool of the colonial administration.

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