Subscribe to Print Edition | Sun., May 04, 2008 Nisan 29, 5768 | | Israel Time: 01:46 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

If everything is genocide... By Avner Shalev Tags: Hamas, Holocaust Recently, yet another Hamas spokesperson compared the situation in Gaza to events during the Holocaust. Coming from an official who represents an organization that unabashedly declares its commitment to terrorism and the destruction of Israel, this is in itself not surprising. Echoed last week by Libya's Deputy UN Ambassador Ibrahim Dabbashi in a meeting of the UN Security Council - a body whose members are officially dedicated to maintaining peace - such assessments are even more distressing. The ubiquitous use of Holocaust imagery in the propaganda efforts of Hamas and other organizations is dangerous and worrying. Such toxic imagery is frequently invoked in combination with elements of classic anti-Semitism and virulent anti- Israel invective. It has become the language of discourse not only of Hamas and its supporters, but also of spokesmen from the Arab-Muslim world. In the rest of the world as well, ostensibly objective observers have adopted this code, or uncritically parrot those who compare Gaza to the Warsaw Ghetto, ignoring both historical details and context. Language has power. The words we choose to use carry weight, and are meaningful. If we elect to label every event a "genocide," or equate every event with the Holocaust, then we detract from the real meaning of those words and reduce their ability to represent true horror. Subsequently, when faced with a real incident of genocidal murder, people will be less likely to be moved to act. If everything is genocide, nothing is genocide. It would appear that the obvious, that which was not long ago perceived by most of the West to be true, now requires reiteration: There is no factual or coherent parallel that can be drawn between contemporary events in Gaza and the historic events of the Holocaust. The Nazis' goal was to murder every single Jewish person in Europe, and ultimately in the world. They had adopted a policy of systematic mass murder of all Jews - men, women and children - simply because they were Jews. Based on their racial ideology, the Nazis established ghettos as part of a continuum of anti-Jewish persecution, which culminated with mass murder in death factories in the heart of Europe. The Jews were not persecuted because of anything they actually did, but because of Nazi perceptions based on an imagined and distorted reality. Advertisement In contrast, the current situation in the Middle East is a classic one of adversaries. The conflict between the Palestinians and Israel is fundamentally about land and sovereignty, with tangible issues and a long, convoluted history. It is legitimate to criticize both sides in this conflict. But to employ outright lies in place of legitimate criticism undermines any possibility of building understanding. Despite assertions to the contrary, a lie, no matter how big and how often it is told, does not become truth. The Holocaust certainly may be compared and contrasted to other events in history; indeed doing so helps us understand events better. But comparing and contrasting is a very different exercise from superficially equating things. Moreover, when events share no real common denominator - as anyone with a modicum of historical knowledge and intellectual honesty will attest - equating, and even comparing and contrasting is iniquitous, and generally constitutes purposeful manipulation. Doing this to the Holocaust, arguably one of the most significant and horrific events of modern history, dishonors the victims, and trivializes the events themselves. We know why Hamas spokespersons and their bedfellows choose to use this imagery. It is compelling, and immediately resonates with their listeners. It is the editor's job to ensure that if they report the use of such images and language to provide the context, and perspective. As readers, and listeners, we must listen critically to the words being used, and the message being delivered. This is far beyond a simple question of semantics. Language is the currency in which we trade, and upon which our civilization rests. It is how we make ourselves understood. If we allow the inherent meaning of words to be distorted, our perception of reality changes, and we cloud not only our language, but also our understanding and judgment. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Security first Foreign Minister Livni tells the PA to ensure terrorists don't exploit Israel's gestures. Terrorist pride Lebanon-based guerillas Hezbollah say they're proud to appear on the U.S. terrorist list.   1.   Not genocide. Just oppression, with the odd 200 dead per year 10:15  |  Natallie Durson 02/05/08   2.   But that`s what they want 10:33  |  Hastaroth 02/05/08   3.   Nazillie Dur d`oreille,will you even learn something? 10:48  |  Hastaroth 02/05/08   4.   If everything is anti-semitism, nothing is. 11:13  |  Michael 02/05/08   5.   How true,but he should tell it to prof.Yehuda Bauer from Y.Vashem 11:23  |  Absolute Sweden 02/05/08   6.   And yet, if by a miracle peace descends on the land 11:42  |  Clickfool 02/05/08   7.   WE DONT HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THE HOLOCAUST But Israel !! 12:05  |  Atilla Karagözoğlu 02/05/08   8.   quite apart from this column avner shalev 13:33  |  harzion 02/05/08   9.   Michael in UK 13:41  |  Hastaroth 02/05/08   10.   Connaries 14:39  |  Jehad 02/05/08   11.   Hastaroth`s hasty wrath. 14:43  |  Michael 02/05/08   12.   Religious leaders would settle differences in a jiff 15:09  |  Nach 02/05/08   13.   9 Hastaroth. Thanks for making my point LOL 15:19  |  Michael 02/05/08   14.   For Hastaroth, with a new Zionist ploy # 9 15:40  |  Clickfool 02/05/08   15.   A different turn, so indulge me (pt.1) 17:19  |  Walter 02/05/08   16.   A different turn, so indulge me (pt. 2) 17:29  |  Walter 02/05/08   17.   Overusing a word to the point of devaluation 18:03  |  Mark Lincoln 02/05/08   18.   Clickfool and company 18:06  |  Daniel 02/05/08   19.   we must look at our own use of the term 18:21  |  rachel 02/05/08   20.   #completing michaels education about anti semitism 18:27  |  v hardman 02/05/08   21.   Isael`s Cynical Use of the Holocaust 19:20  |  Binyamin 02/05/08   22.   re Natallie #1 `Not genocide just oppression...` 19:20  |  Colin Wright 02/05/08   23.   It`s very simple..to me 19:30  |  David K 02/05/08   24.   we have jewish teachers in canada 22:55  |  billy jack 02/05/08   25.   Hastarot 00:36  |  sweis Melbourne 03/05/08   26.   #23 David K, What 1942 Holocaust? Ask Weizmann 05:48  |  Kevin 03/05/08   27.   #2 Hataroth, but the German thought so 05:56  |  Kevin 03/05/08   28.   without agreeing with either view; i DO have this to say: 07:56  |  eric 03/05/08   29.   It is a holocaust in the making 10:34  |  Khalid 03/05/08   30.   Yes and NO 11:00  |  Khalid 03/05/08   31.   So what about the "Auschwitz" borders? 12:08  |  Andreas 03/05/08   32.   same with genocide that happened to jewish 12:17  |  toprak 03/05/08   33.   The ubiqutous repetition... 14:03  |  BenLolo 03/05/08   34.   @ 32. Toprak 14:19  |  AJ 03/05/08   35.   The term "holocaust" is anyhow a scandal 20:01  |  Habakuk 03/05/08

Read & React Livni: PA must ensure terrorists don`t exploit our W. Bank moves Responses: 345 IDF releases clip clearing itself of blame for Gaza family deaths Responses: 305 U.S. envoy cuts short Hebron trip after clash with settlers Responses: 216 Justice Ministry: Contrary to reports, no discussion of Olmert's suspension Responses: 150 Gaza sewage pumped into the sea over past three months Responses: 150 More Headlines 00:19 Rice to pressure Israel on West Bank roadblocks 01:17 Justice Ministry: Contrary to reports, no discussion of Olmert's suspension 22:37 Bodies of Bolivia accident victims to arrive in Israel 14:21 Major powers offer Iran fresh incentives to halt nuke program 18:24 Kuwaiti paper: Hamas willing to show flexibility over Shalit 11:39 The Palestinian Rothschilds 17:36 Lebanese Druze leader: Expel Iranian ambassador from Beirut 01:04 2 children, 1 senior citizen die in separate fires across Israel 10:18 Egypt's Islamic opposition slams gov't over gas deal with Israel 12:02 Palestinian forces en route to Jenin for large-scale security op Previous Editions Select Day 02 may 01 may 30 apr 29 apr 28 apr 27 apr 25 apr 24 apr 23 apr 22 apr 21 apr 20 apr

Special Offers Advertisement Pardes Institute Summer Sessions http://www.pardes.org.il/ FAREWELL ISRAEL New Film The Coming War for Islamic Revival - View Movie Trailer The interest rates haven't changed But your profits will! Learn Hebrew online with Israel's best teachers Sign up for a trial lesson today Free the Palestinians from: Corrupt Kleptocracy, Tyrannical Theocracy, Abysmal Anarchy Fattal Hotel Chain Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel. ISRAEL BONDS Build Israel Israel bonds - a multi-purpose way to celebrate Israel's 60th Eldan Rent a Car Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations Junkyard Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt

Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |

Real Estate in Israel

Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.

© Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved