On Remembrance and Boycotts: Thoughts and sentiments from Yosef Livne, Israeli ambassador to New Zealand
Time passes on and the pain of destruction is as fresh as 69 years ago when the camps were liberated.
Ambassador Yosef Livne
What makes the heritage of mourning so poignant and sharp is the realization that however horrifying the Holocaust has been, it has not inoculated the world against violent Anti-Semitism. Yes, we are still facing today the unbridled hatred of those around the world who do not mask their hatred of Jews.
Last Monday people of goodwill around the globe congregated to commemorate the memory of the 6 million Jews who perished in the Shoa. They were not simply victims. They were not just innocent – they were Jews who found themselves squeezed out of existence first as citizens, then as people and lastly as Human beings. With frightening efficiency the Nazi machine driven by a state – sanctioned, planned and implemented strategy to annihilate a people, amassed them into a reality that had been created away from the World and left but one exit-through the chimneys of Auschwitz. There was no other way out- not conversion, not through collaboration. Death was the Nazi last name given to Jews. The horrors of this unique event are so terrible and so inhumanly cruel, that they deserve a global time out to recall and remember. The U.N does not deserve a pat on the shoulder for dedicating a special date for the memorial. The question that needs to be asked is why it took so long?
The answer to this question lies in front of us. Indeed, it is just as nakedly abhorrent as the causes of the Shoa. Anti Semitism is still rampart around the world. It never disappeared. In some cases the messengers of hate try to mask their views under the guise of anti-Israeli or anti-Zionist propaganda. Nevertheless, the ancient hatred comes through.
It all started by small steps, boycott the Jew, distance him from society, make him a pariah. And today, listen to the voices that call for Silencing Israel. Keep Israeli academics away from Universities, throw their products from store shelves and shun their culture and art. Let there be no mistake- this is where it all starts, does anyone know where it will end?
A few decades ago Martin Niemoller wrote these piercing lines:
“First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out– Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me–and there was no one left to speak for me.”
As we depart the Holocaust Remembrance Day, shouldn’t we reflect on these words and their message?
Arabs sponsored Boycott Israel movement should blame Israel for the followings and demand international support for the innocent terrorists:
1: Israel symbolizes humanity in conflict.
However the human right organizations don’t blame terrorist firing from schools, hospitals, sport facilities civilian dressed and using civilian’s as shield protectors.
Al-Jazeera praises IDF. In a debate on the Al-Jazeera’s Arabic service, the presenter and a guest question an Assad supporter as to why the Syrian army, Hezbollah and other Islamic military groups cannot be more humane like the Israeli.
http://www.tomgrossmedia.com/mideastdispatches/archives/001423.html
2:Arab press publicizes Israeli heart treatment. Following the news that Israeli doctors fixed the reversed ventricles of Hamoudi – a 4-year-old boy – his father said, “We always heard in the Arab media how children from the Gaza Strip and the West Bank were receiving medical treatment in Israel.”
http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=14173
Palestinians and Hisbula are firing rockets targeting Israel hospitals.
3: Palestinians build tunnels to attack Israeli citizens>
Israel provides cement used on building tunnels.
4:The Palestinians have money to smuggle arms but not to care about vaccines for their population.
Israel provides vaccines to Gaza.
5:The Palestinians are manufacturing rockets to be fired indiscriminately on Israel civilians.:
Israel provides the electricity to the manufacturing shops.
6: Palestinians have fired rockets toward the pumps supplying water to Gaza
Israel is supplying free of charge water to Gaza.
7: Palestinians are using Ambulances for terror activities.
Israel transfers of ambulances to Gaza
Look at their mirror and ask yourself who they really are!!
They are silent and not boycotting countries or organizations that:
Example:
1: Lebanon, where there is a law that bans Palestinians from working in over 50 professions.
2:The press freedoms index :
In 2002 Turkey was 99th out of 139 countries>
By 2013 Turkey had fallen to 154th place out of 179 countries.
3: Palestinians are using ambulances and international press symbol for terror activities.
4:* “”The struggle will not stop until the Zionist entity is eliminated””.(From the PLO Congress 2009)
*Hamas charter
“”Peace and quiet for Christians and Jews is possible only under Islam wings””
“The Day of Judgment will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews (killing the Jews)””
5: Saud Arabia:
Deny: Women equality–human rights–religious freedom—democracy and fund infidel hate preaching and teaching worldwide
6: Iran:
Gays are executed- Teachers of Bahai religion are hanged up- A husband can kill his adulterous wife without punishment while a woman is punishable by death.
7:Jordan:
Punishing by death the ones sailing land to Jew
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However boycott the defending Israel