On July 6, 1938, representatives from 32 nations gathered in Evian-les-Bains, France, to address the growing refugee crisis as Jews desperately sought to flee Nazi Germany and Austria.

The world expressed sympathy.

But when it came time to act, almost every nation refused to open its doors.

In this episode of Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner, we examine one of history's greatest diplomatic failures and explain why the Evian Conference became a defining moment in modern Jewish history.

Topics include:

• Why the Evian Conference was convened
• The worsening persecution of Jews before World War II
• Which countries refused to accept Jewish refugees—and why
• The Dominican Republic's unique offer to welcome refugees
• How the conference emboldened Nazi Germany
• The connection between Evian and the founding of the State of Israel
• Why Israel's Law of Return remains central to Jewish self-determination today

The Evian Conference is more than a forgotten historical event. It is a powerful reminder that compassion without action can carry unimaginable consequences—and why the Jewish people concluded they must always have a homeland capable of protecting its own.

Middle East Brief with Avi Kaner explores the history, geopolitics, and current events shaping Israel and the Middle East through historical context and informed analysis.