Fidel Castro tells Ahmadinejad: Stop denying the Holocaust
'The Jews have lived an existence that is much harder than ours. There is nothing that compares to the Holocaust,' former Cuban leader tells U.S. journal The Atlantic.
By Natasha Mozgovaya and Haaretz Service Tags: Israel news Jewish World anti-Semitism Iran Mahmoud AhmadinejadCuba's former leader Fidel Castro has urged Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to stop slandering the Jews, according to an article published on the U.S. website The Atlantic on Tuesday.
The ageing revolutionary devoted much of a five-hour conversation to the issue of anti-Semitism, wrote Jeffrey Goldberg, who interviewed Castro in the Cuban capital Havana.
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Fidel Castro |
| Photo by: AP |
Castro told The Atlantic that the Iranian government should understand the consequences anti-Semitism.
"This went on for maybe two thousand years," he said. "I don't think anyone has been slandered more than the Jews. I would say much more than the Muslims. They have been slandered much more than the Muslims because they are blamed and slandered for everything. No one blames the Muslims for anything."
He added: "The Jews have lived an existence that is much harder than ours. There is nothing that compares to the Holocaust."
Asked by Goldberg if he would repeat his comments to Ahmadinejad, Castro said. "I am saying this so you can communicate it."
Following the interview, Goldberg spoke with Haaretz about his impression of the thinking behind Castro's comments.
"I think he [Castro] realizes he's gone too far in certain criticisms of Israel," Goldberg said.
"I think he wants to be a player in this issue; and I think he's genuinely offended by Holocaust denial."
Ahmadinejad has publicy called the Holocaust "a myth", claiming Jews exaggerated the Nazi genocide to win sympathy from European governments.
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In the Atlantic article, Fidel Castro also talked about nuclear Iran. He said... this problem is not going to get resolved, because the Iranians are not going to back down in the face of threats. He added... Iran, unlike Cuba is a profoundly religious country... and religious leaders are less likely to compromise. Maybe we should pay attention to someone, who has been to the dangerous nuclear cliff... and back.
to the antisemitic Flemish Eurocommissar Karel De Giucht, who is a real disgrace
This is unprecedented moral and modern indeed Post Soviet historical Progress, to be received from a Marxian ideologue. It took the "Opium.." of reactionary Islam to finally revive some fo the humanitarian thinking of the early Utopian Marxists. Possibly following the demise of the Soviet Doctrine, the Cuban leader doesn't fancy entering the realm of History as a "Socialism in one country" pro Stalinist xenophobian and Anti Semitic butcher, and turns to Trotskys World Revolution for a honourable sortie. Even against the latter backround acknowledging Jews as a distinguishable nation, institutional entity, is against the Marxian background a controversial novelty Shana Tova, Sylvia Sztern-SempreLovingM.G.
I always like him and always will, now I even like him some more. About time someone had the balls to tell it as it is .
Maybe he should jump into the talks. By this statement he establishes credibility as a fair-minded human being.
The current boycott of Cuba really makes no sense. The cuban missile crisis happened over 40 years ago. There is no more Soviet Union and Fiidel Castro has mellowed over the years and he does not support terror or any of Americas enemies. Communism is no longer the red devil so why not outreach to Cuba. There is allot of potential markets in Cuba for the US and in a recession the more options for trade the better and Cuba is on the doorstep. There are millions of cubans and or relatives of cubans living in the US itself. So if Obama wants to reach out to somebody then why not start with Cuba there really is no good reason anymore for this boycott. I know its not as glamerous for Obama as something like the Middle East and doesn't require high profile peace talks but its logical. Castro should be commended for this speech now its time to end this stupid boycott of Cuba
Age can bring around sense. Hasta siempre !
now this week Mr. Castro is Haaretz.com's talkback hero? What gives? First off, Mr. Goldberg is totally unreliable and Mr. Castrol is totally decrepit, so who cares what either of these men with unreliable faculties think. Second: Mr. Castro is a Roman Catholic Christian seeing angels of love at his doorstep, so I hope he said all religions should stop bashing each other and live in peace under one G-d..
I think Castro got it right There is only one comment to add. Being anti jews or anti arab, is practically being antisemite. Arabs are semite too.
There's a lot of holes in this report..Castro often makes his comments public..The fact that we're hearing this from someone who had a private interview with him makes it look more like Jeffrey Goldberg's view rather than Fidel's..I'm just saying..Who else heard him say that apart from Jeffrey Goldberg?A bit of proof will be nice don't you think?
Castro should worry about whats happening in Cuba first.
Like I wrote a few days ago,Ahmadinejad's days are numbered.
the Jewish people wish Fidel and his family a happy and healthy new year and may god continue to bless you with long life .
boy, do I hate to sing kumbaia, but my legs are dancing on there own... I am going to take this day in my grave. The day when the help has come from the corner that is living way harder than we are today. With trepidation of offending anyone in my dear America, I think the time is way overdue to make amends with Cuba. I don’t even have an idea how to. I am dork enough to help in any way I can.
few years ago i was down in havaNA
how the right-wing band wagon jumps in to support Fidel Castro, an ageing dictator. If he had criticized Israel, he would be the worst criminal. If he supports, he is a saint.
And what does he say about Israel? Does he say "stop bashing Iran?"
Let's see if the Anti-Defamation League publicizes this. They take every opportunity they have to bash the left for it's criticism of Israel deliberately blurring the important distinction between criticizing Israel and anti-Semitism. One would hope they would now take the opportunity to publicize the fact that there is a difference
Castro is reported to have Jewish ancestry on his mother's side. Many Latin Americans of Spanish origin and Hispanics were/are Jews who fled the Inquisition.
Am to believe someone like Castro needs a pathetic neo-con war monger gossip columnist with the Atlantic as the go-between to "communicate" with Ahamdinejad?!!! What's wrong with this picture?
So all Fidel has to do is say something to defend Jews and he is transformed from an oppressive, aging despot to Mr. Wonderful? Maybe Ahmedinejad will follow suit and be made Prime Minister of Israel.
to quote Bob Dylan. Castro now has "God on his side."
Fidel , looking to repent?
There have been 16,009 terror attacks in the name of Islam - since 9/11. Nearly every day we read and hear about suicide bombers in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. These are not Buddhists, Christians or Jews blowing themselves up in the name of Islam. Islam rightly deserves to be blamed for most of the violence that is currently happening around the world. No poor Muslim victim stuff here. No,feeling sorry for a religion that hardly ever speaks against these bombings. Instead we get slogans and banners saying, "Behead the disbelievers", "Death to the Jews and America". I would be ashamed to be calling myself a Muslim in this age - without vehemently denouncing these fanatics as crazy and demented. Sadly, very few Muslims have taken the pedestal and made one hell-of-a-lot of noise denouncing the violent aspects of this religion. So, when I see Baloney (no. 35) using the word "unfortunately" when Muslims are blamed for lots of things, I shake my head and wonder where he has his/her head. It surely is not in the newspapers or on TV. If you feel that infidel news is biased, then read Al Jazeera, who can't help reporting a version of the truth 0 which is Islam goes hand in hand with violence to achieve its aims. Castro is obviously reading the news and has found that the hatred directed towards Jews is disproportionate and unfair. Is there anyone that Muslims will believe in when the news doesn't follow their ideology of hate?
Not take the joyful moments away from the Jews of the world , but somehow I think Castro has an agenda !!! How come he has never said anything positive all these years when he was head of state ?
Leftist ideology has very regretfully embraced anti-semetism in the last few decades, much of it thinly cloaked in the guise of "anti-zionism" and I have a feeling that Fidel Castro has come to realize this and is against it. And every year, it is getting worse and worse. Castro's message is not just to the Iranians, it is also to those left wingers out there that have been sucked into this vortex of anti-semetic ideology, which really is totally against the central principles of socialism. Thank you Fidel Castro for your words. I hope your message is heard.
Que viva Fidel!!
It's not only that many in the left canon were Jews - Marx, Hannah Arendt, and so on, but it's also that german communists, socialists and trade unionists were some of the first to be sent to the concentration camps.
Un-corroborated reports are the mainstay of propagandists. They don't care if they're caught out, as long as someone is out there perpetuating their twaddle.
Is Castro a descendant of the marranos? At his age and with his weakened health, he is perhaps reassessing his origins. Whatever the reason, his comments are appreciated.
Do you support Israel without question? If the answer is yes, you are approved by Israelis no matter what your sinsmay be.
look at these comments. the SECOND castro says something good about jews, you see him as a friend. this man is a dictator who locks up thousands--yes, thousands--of his own people PER YEAR, tortures them, shuts down all free press in his country, exiles those who threaten his career, has killed countless innocent people, and keeps half the nation starving. you should be absolutely ashamed of yourselves. "yay castro" my arse.
Only those blinded by anti-socialist propaganda fail to realize that Fidel has always treated the Jews fairly. He has made sure that the community has been furnished kosher food, he has visited Cuban synagogues and has insisted that the Jews be permitted to maintain their identity. Wealthy Jews who fled were no different than other wealthy cubans. Those who have remained have been given complete equality. One may disagree with fidel's ideology. On the question of the Jews he has never succumbed to anti-semitism. Viva Fidel!
Castro is more courageous than all of you.
I was never harassed, never had a problem, despite theanti-Zionist mantras that were much less common than in any western country today. And I recall one Hungarian Jew I met in the USA, in Cincinnati. After escaping the Holocaust, he spent some 13 years in Havana. When he was a student, a clerk at Havana university, made an uncommon anti-Semitic remark to him -he told me-. So he went to the president of the Alumni association. Guess who that was in 1946... Fidel himself, of course. He grabbed the smaller, thin Hungarian Jew with his strong arm around his shoulder, and told him: Nobody is going to abuse you for being a Jew. And he went straight to that clerk, and with his huge charisma and personality, taught that clerk a lesson in front of the speechless Hungarian Jew, the latter never forgot. He fled Cuba in 1960, because of the Revolution, but never fails to tell this anecdote. When the pope came to Cuba, he also made a point about the slandering of Jews and anti-Semitism being unacceptable. He can be many things, but regarding Jews, he has been always a defender, and both spoke and acted with integrity.
The usual baloney. He loves the Jews but hates the Zionists / Israel. That is also antisemitism.
Fidel: Visit Israel and rest in peace when the time come.
I wonder if other world leaders will stand up and publicly denounce Ahmadinejad as Fidel has done. Jews and not the crazy Islamists deserve some praise. Go Fidel...
I think I died and went to heaven.
In the tightening of ties with America; what faster method than to endear himself to Jews. Perhaps he is 1/64th Jewish (or something). Most Spaniards are somewhat Jewish.
Muslims are being vilified and blamed for a lot of things these days unfortunately. So I am not sure where Castro is coming from here?? If it is a sincere statement and I have my doubts, I do admire Castro's shift in gears in speaking out about the consequences of anti-Semitism. Takes a lot of guts for someone of his stature to come out in the open with a strong statement. The million dollar question is, is Ahmadinijad listening? As I said, I have my doubts.
and he is quite correct. Outside the crusades which were ultimately relatively contained ill conceived adventtures, the more recent vilification of Arabs is a recent (20th century) phenomena that is a consequence of the American model of imperialism, namely an adversiarial (might is right) exercise of power. Hence the preference for anti-nationalistic dictatorships, etc. The proper study case is post-WWII South and Central America, once properly understood the then contemporanous and subsequent US actions in the ME present no great difficulties. But South America has gotten out from under the American yoke and as for the ME recent decades have been a case study in the limits of Amewrican power more than anything else. For example Iraq is slipping away from American control ... not surprising since the insane neocon crowd give the reigns of power turned lack of planning into a virtue, e.g. "creative destruction" ... and if anything the ground has be set for Iranian ascendency as the major power in that region. Anyways returning to the Jews the story is quite different, there one observes an continuous vilification from antiquity to modern times culminating in the despotism of the Holocaust, and surely it is this to which Castro refers, again quite correctly. However Castro's intent is surely not to be an apologist for the state of Israel, Castro fears (quite reasonably enough) a disastrous calamity in the near future involving a US nuclear attack on Iran (in a desparate attempt to retain/obtain regional hegemony - there's still no lack of insane Americans in power). Castro is putting all his energy into preventing this and hence his desire to reign in Ahmadinejad. Fortunately Castro is much respected and admired in South American and people such as Chavez take what he says with the upmost seriousness and heed his words. This plus direct relationships between Iran and now powerful South American countries, e.g. Venezuela and Brazil, as well as alternate international bodies such as the Non-Aligned Movement, portend that Castro's words may have positive effect (much to the discontent of much of the leadership of Israel which is actively antagonizing for the very disaster Castro is trying to prevent. Viva Castro!
Beside the Muslims are not being held accountable for anything. They face prejudice sure but the prejudice is slammed down with lust from world leaders. These leaders are the same that hate Jews. Glad I could clear that up for you.
I've just been reading a bit about Venice, and the Jews were blamed for Venice losing a war, the advent of Syphilis, the black death, leprosy, and all this in only fifty years. Not to mention all the various blood libels and accusations of canibalism that seem like perennial lies. I am no friend of Israel, but there's no group that has suffered as much as the Jews have due to gentile stupidity and malice. Then again, it's heart-breaking to see the same logics those medieval mobs used against the Jews re-branded and turned against the people who live in much gentler ghettos today.
what are Muslims blamed for? " Islamist Terrorism - defined here as blowing up innocent/non-military targets in the name of (their version of) Islam. Why? This seems to keep occurring: see recent history. I can't think of all that else, but would like to know, if you do.
I suppose that you are one of these people that won't believe the sun is shining without checking first, and doubt that Fidel allowed many Jews to leave the country in the 90's (thanks Mark Lincoln). I suppose Ahmadinejad wants peace too!
Re Muslims being blamed for everything, well that is far too sweeping. Yes, there is plenty that they are being blamed for, as were Germans during the period of WWII. The simple truth is that just as Germans deserved the criticisms, so to do Muslims. Look around the Muslim world. Forget there conduct outside of it. That world wreaks with violence, abuse, denial of human rights,, etc. I needn't go on. These things are not simple fabrications. I do think that Castro has forgotten the treatment of Muslims in the Crusades. Ironically, the Muslims paid the world back in spades as their empire expanded through violent imperialism. And, of course, their victims included many peoples who had no responsibility for the crusades.
And it is so easy for them to stop it: just condemn the terror attacks, draw a line between muslims and islamists. As long as they had not done it, the blaming will go on.
Long life Fidel !
Fidel could be a descendant of marrannos or Donmeh from Turkey; however, I think he may have been around jews in law school, havana, and some of them may have been revolutionaries in Cuba. Cuba can benefit with trade with Israel; Europe trades with him. Maybe, he realizes his place in history will think of him more kind by showing more tolerance toward the jews. Franco was villified in recent articles that showed him to support Germany with documents on deportation. However, it is was not Franco saving my parents I would not be here today writing this note. maybe someone in Cuba or Israel is writing a note that Castro intervened to save their parents. La Shanah Tova Monsieur El Cuadillo.
Atheists are usually the most sympathetic to the Jews Vladimir Lenin spoke out against Anti Semitism at a time when it was legal to kill Jews in Russia In Nazi Germany the Churches backed Hitler over the threat of the Communist movement Jew hatred in the last 2,000 years no doubt has its roots in "Jews killed Jesus" Nazis basically used the already ready Jew hatred to get people to back them, and the Muslims are picking up where the Nazis and Christians left off
The truth is told, Although there has never been anti-semitism in Cuba, this is coming from an unexpected source. Thank, you, Fidel.
You believe this monster and you will believe anything. I hope you will enjoy reading history as I have my dear Judith and help change the World for the better. Shalom.
Wow.....Castro must be getting ready to go to Heaven.
I could smell death in Auschwitz when i visited. I could feel the pain. You dont even need to see pictures. Denying the horror men suffered there is like denying yourself. Respect the deaths.
because it's not enough to respect us after we have been massacred.
what struck me most when I was there a couple of years ago was a photo of three children, perhaps soon to walk to their deaths, two naughty looking boys and a sweet little girl. Three young lives soon to be snuffed out as if they didn't matter - very sad. I might support Palestinian rights, but deny the Holocaust - never!
I certainly hope Castro's message rings out loud and clear in Iran. For me as a practicing Catholic, hatred in the form of anti-Semitism, or for that matter hatred of another human being for any reason is deeply reprehensible and a grave sin. Coming from Castro this message is appropriate for all in the middle east who are his allies.
I certainly hope Castro's message rings out loud and clear in Iran. For me as a practicing Catholic, hatred in the form of anti-Semitism, or for that matter hatred of another human being for any reason is deeply reprehensible and a grave sin. Coming from Castro this message is appropriate for all in the middle east who are his allies.
Cuba, the catholic church, Iran and Israel make me sick. You believe this evil demon ? Naive people never learn.
If true, this is a beakthrough. A leftist realizing that they have gone too far. Perhaps there is hope after all.
The idea in recent history that the left is against Israel and the right supports Israel is something new. Israel is still somewhat of a socialist country, and various leftists have been fond of Israel (MLK, the Kennedys). Bernie Sanders, the only socialist senator in the USA, got his inspiration for socialism from Israel!
Fidel Castro himself is of marrano origin (Jews forced to convert to Catholicism under the inquisition in Spain). If he would have a chat with Hugo Chaves, he might convince him to care more for the Venezuelan Jews and be more alert when it comes to antisemitic influences from abroad ( Iran and Hizbollah operatives) and homegrown. To see Hezbollah youth in unison raising their right hand in a fascist salute during the Jerusalem Day celebrations in Beirut say it all. Some of Castro's criticism of Israel is quite proper though even if he himself isn't the darling of Western democracies. And a correction to the citation: No one blames the Muslims for "everything" - it should NOT be "anything". The word "anything" is out of context and would obviuosly be an erroneous statement.
I have a new respect for President Castro...please remind President Chavez of this fact..
This means a lot to hear this said fearlessly from a world statesman who does not hold a dubious right wing agenda (i.e. supporters that Jews do not need).
Wow! A modicum of suppport from the leftist of the century.
Viva Fi-del ,! Fi-del ! Che Che Ge-uv-ara.! The years of my socialist youth , sadly long ago, has suddenly become worthwhile.
Communism doesn't work. Haven't you learned that lesson YET? Sheesh!!!
Castro allowed the emigration of hundreds of Cuban Jews to Israel in the 1990s.
Castro allowed the emigration of hundreds of Cuban Jews to Israel in the 1990s.
Castro allowed the emigration of hundreds of Cuban Jews to Israel in the 1990s.
Castro allowed the emigration of hundreds of Cuban Jews to Israel in the 1990s. Cuba tried to help the refugees of the S.S. St. Louis until the USA forced Cuba to set them adrift for eventual return to Nazi Germany. Most of Cuba's Jewish families were refugees from the Ottoman Empire.
Castro allowed the emigration of hundreds of Cuban Jews to Israel in the 1990s. Cuba tried to help the refugees of the S.S. St. Louis until the USA forced Cuba to set them adrift for eventual return to Nazi Germany. Most of Cuba's Jewish families were refugees from the Ottoman Empire.
I am amazed and very glad to hear that from Castro.
Stop bashing Cubans.
Stop bashing Iranians.
The great olive drab Revolutionary tells it like it is! Viva Fidel! Viva la Revolucion! He is showing the world that he understands the history of oppression, despite things not exactly working out as planned in Cuba; End the blockade of CUBA now!
Don't ever forget that Castro was and is a cruel vicious murderer who threatened the lives of millions of Americans. Just because he says a few nice words in the twilight of his years doesn't mean a damn thing.
Some say he descends from Marranos (Secret Jews forced to convert by the Spanish Inquisition pre-1492).
There are Castro jews in Italy, obviously descendants of those forced to leave Spain in 1942. Thank you Fidel "Fidel Fidel me voy con el " !!!
Great! Fidel is a good man. It takes courage to stand up to your friend(by the my enemy's enemy is my friend principle), and tell him he is doing wrong. This has really made my day. It really strengthens his anti-israeli position, as it shows he is genuinely concerned with the damage they do, and he cant be criticised of being an anti-semite any longer
A man who truly loves the people, especially the oppressed, Fidel Castro deserves the Nobel Peace Prize. Sadly, he too is slandered and blamed for everything. A hero to most Central and South Americans, Fidel Castro also has many admirers here in the US, where many understand the violent and corrupt side of capitalism creates innocent victims worldwide. Even here in America, where we all directly or indirectly benefit from the corruption, many of us would trade most of what we have for justice, and would happily watch as the bazillionaires march to their cells. Long live Fidel!
Reality is REALity, even tyrant dictators have a limit to how much B.S. passes for truths in this world. He finally had to speak up against a real horror, the totalitarian islamic iranian government, the islamic world and the total LIES they spread about the Jews and Israel.
I am very pleasently surprised by what Castro said. Perhaps he is a mench after all.
You Mr. Castro, are no friend of the Jews, the way you have viciously slandered Israel for decades. We don't need your sympathy nor your friendship. Look at the mess you've made of Cuba and how, thanks to you, the Cuban people live in misery and poverty. The great Cuban people should have overthrown, arrested and sentenced you 50 years ago. Tell your brother to step down. Hasn't Cuba suffered long enough?
you are anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish. Like bashing Apartheid does not mean someone is anti-White or anti-Christian. Stop mixing up the issues.
Castro is a friend now, If Cuba suffers, then perhaps Israel can help out.
The truth has become so blurred in recent years, that people forget that slandering the Jews for make-believe problems is evil.
such as the illegal occupation
Wow......Fidel turing an 180 !!!! I may want to visit Cuba now?
Cuba under Fidel has shown some sympathy to Jews at times - like letting 400 Jews leave Cuba to go to Israel, and giving some level of religious freedom for Jews.
Among the few things that it is impossible to exaggerate, the Holocaust definitely has a place. If one can say anything good came of the Holocaust, maybe it's that it allows us to easily identify foolishness and ignorance, if not malice, in those who deny it. Castro goes too far in saying that "no one blames the Muslims for anything". This just shows he hasn't visited the U.S. recently.
... Fidel just might live long enough to see Americans buy some good Cuban cigars.
To Chairman Fidel: May you be inscribed for health and happiness in the Book of Life for the new year! Your words have had an incredible impact at this most holy season of the Jewish year. I hope that normalization of relations may return between Cuba and the USA soon...
Good for Fidel!!
old.
Sometimes wisdom comes with age, most commonly not. In your case, it will not come.
Sure, okay, let's play this game. Just today Marty Peretz of one of the nation's leading political magazines said that American Muslims do not deserve to be protected by the Constitution. You probably didn't hear about this, because no one cares when Muslims are treated horribly (if he'd said that about Jews, of course, he'd be fired). No less than fourteen mosque projects are being opposed in America alone. Some guy in Florida is planning a "Burn a Quran Day". The US Army has invaded two countries that had nothing to do with 9/11 and killed tens of thousands of innocent people there. But you, Castro, and all your knowledge of human rights, must be correct. No one EVER blames Muslims for anything. Ass.
For the first time in my life Senior Fidel, I say bravo to you for your statement to Iran's President Ahmadinejad.
Even though I've had my ups and downs with this charcter, I've always had a special place in my heart for him. If anybody knows the history of Cuba they would understand.
Get some history lessons.
so it would be o.k if saddam lived longer as long as he defended jews once
I think it is very important Castro´s declaration about the Iranin goverment Holocaust denial, because his message could have a very strong impact in latin America and aroud the world. Specially on who are against Israel as a new antisemitic fashion.
this could have a very strong impact on you.
There comes a time in a person's lifetime of soul searching & the path that one has followed throughout. If Castro's words are sincere then one has to applaud his courage,seeing that those around him at home & abroad lean more towards the Mullahs of Tehran than to Israel. Only a person who has close links to a certain country & regime will,if he criticizes that entity,his words will carry more weight than sanctions or threats..
the 'AK' is about to meet the Hebrew GOD and wishes to ingratiate himself with HIM.