About
Rezső Kasztner helped lead Budapest’s Relief and Rescue Committee. After Germany occupied Hungary, he negotiated with Eichmann’s staff and later with Kurt Becher.
A train carrying 1,686 Jews left Budapest in June 1944. Its passengers were held at Bergen-Belsen before reaching Switzerland in two groups. Kasztner’s wartime choices and his postwar testimony for Becher later became the center of a bitter court dispute in Israel.
In this interview
The speakers repeatedly read or answer Kasztner’s account of the Hungary talks, marches, transports, and dealings with Eichmann’s staff. Eichmann too recalls speaking directly with him.
Read with care
The reviewed English uses Kastner throughout, while modern English writing often uses Kasztner. The interview mixes Eichmann’s memories with passages attributed to Kasztner, so the speaker or quoted passage must be verified page by page.
Exact scans
- File 85, scan 00006
Eichmann says he made the same ideological remark to Kasztner and Richard Löwenherz.
- File 85, scan 00048
Eichmann discusses Kasztner’s view of his role in Hungary.
- File 85, scan 00093
The speakers read a passage in which Kasztner mentions tense talks with Eichmann and his staff.