Holocaust remembrance is a boon for Israeli propaganda

First thing I wonder about evil, what evil everybody is talking about? God, love, evil, we are more than 6 billion people and having more than 6 billion personal views of life and such terms. I am a german born citizen and by law is not allowed to scratch dark past issues and questioning, but I am so truly sad about that holocaust business because all those wall builders never mention that those jewish believers have been our own people, born in Germany, and that psicopath Hitler was removing ANY race and believers which didnt fit in his idea to build the arier race. I am not christ or budhist in the first place, you are not jewish in the first place because all those are believes of a human mind. We are all natural born humans and genetically prepared to the circumstances of that piece of earth where we are born. And than, if we want to or not, we are conditioned to the human organziation of that pice of earth without a chance to refuse its political, religiouse and financial pressure

Well done Mr Levy for your compassion and clear thinking. God Bless You

Sir: I hope these follow close enough for you to connect. Furthermore, I apologize for deviating from the subject somewhat. Nevertheless: ' I would wager Israel would curtail her hostilities if left alone. I am truly sorry for those unfortunate individuals caught in the crossfire, I truly grieve for them. But Israel not only has the right to survive, she must survive. The cure to the situation is indeed, within the grasp of those aggressors who daily bombard Israel and her inhabitants: Stop the aggression, and end this entire debacle. No more innocents maimed and dying. Will they? More than likely not, so it is difficult for me to find the degree of sorrow the situation demands. My information suggests my ancestry not only Jewish, but Sephardi: I originated from the very land embroiled in such turmoil. I thank-you for the opportunity to air my opinion, but I think you may lay too much responsibility for these atrocities upon Israel and those charged with ensuring her future.

Sir: My information which suggests my Jewish Ancestry is only recently acquired; and therefore, I've little experience of depth which frankly renders my opinions a high degree of standing; However, while I've no desire to see innocents killed by anyone, nor desire to offend anyone: When I find that 156 potential members of my family were led to slaughter during WW2; when I read those names of apparently MY FAMILY, exterminated such as a pound exterminates unwanted animals; I can't help but weep! I'm 53 years of age. I do not like to weep for anyone, or anything; but this I can't help! I'm as American as can be. And if I am also Jewish, and it is very likely; then I will also be that as well, 100% percent, or as much as my knowledge permits. Israel is immersed in a sea of hostility, fighting for her life. This I've known all along. And frankly, I am in constant amazement of the restraint she shows in the face of these hostilities.

Mr Gideon - what an incredible brave man you are!! But let me tell you how refreshing, andthough there are many more unheard, it is to find a voice of sanity amidst the racism and arrongance of the zionist state.

"actually, very few if any Germans were speaking out against the persecution and subsequent slaughter of the jewish people" Who would choose to sacrifice their own life and the lives of their families by speaking out? Not many but certainly not as you claim "very few if any". "indeed, there was no resistance movement against the nazis to speak of" Rubbish and an insult to the hundreds of thousands of Germans who were imprisoned or perished in the camps because of their opposition to the Nazis. Of course the Nazis were resisted and on the streets by the Communists, but they were brutally put down. The Communists were a minority but they were a significant one until their leaders went to the camps. The left parties and trade union activists were the first targets of the Nazis in 1933. Most Germans were not Nazis either and only a minority (albeit a large minority) had great enthusiasm for Hitler. Hitler long argued that the German people were indifferent to his military endeavors and his great vision for Germany and lamented that they had to be marshaled into action at rallies and so on. The Goldhagen thesis is long since discredited. Try reading Ian Kershaw the world renowned scholar of Hitler and Nazism on these matters. You are sorely misinformed and should think hard before tapping out such falsehoods. Your post is an insult to the memory of the hundreds of thousands of German citizens who perished or suffered for their political opposition or views. What resistance? According to a Gestapo summary 162,734 people were being held in 'protective custody' for political reasons in April 1939; a further 225,000 had been sentenced to prison terms of just under three years. Between 1933 and 1945 more than 3 million Germans had been in concentration camps or prison for political reasons; tens of thousands were executed or died from mistreatment. G Almond, 'The German Resistance Movement', Current History 10 (1946), pp409-527. This was what could happen if you opposed the regime on central issues. But it also shows the opposition to Nazi politics. Goebbel's paper, Der Angriff, summed up the regime's terror against its anti-racist opponents: 'Criticism is permitted only to those who are not afraid of getting into a concentration camp' D Leuner, When Compassion was a Crime (London, 1966), p31.

Mr. Saleh, if you live in an unfriendly neighbourhood, do you really think it would be a good idea to go to your neighbours' houses and supress or threat them. Do you really think they would become good neighbours? Or isn't there a higher possibility that they get more angry. There is no matter who has started the conflicts, that is something little kids argue about "but muuum, he hit me first, I was right striking back...". Ah, now I understand: Israel isn't adult yet. It is a little frustrated kid, loved by none, but it has heavy guns: Bowling for Columbine in XXL. "If you don't love us we will shoot you." Very unignorant, Mr. Saleh, I'm impressed by your wisdom.

You and your likes are telling that Israel's fault is HAMAS. Hamas was founded in 1987 by Ahmet Yasin. He belonged to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood movement. It is sufficient to look at who are the Muslim Brotherhood movement. It was created before 1948. When HAMAS was created in 1987 Arafat was exiled in Tunus by Sharon which you don't like very much. That means vacuum has been filled by them. Was it better to be Arafat in these times in this area? I don't think so. We all witness what did he done after returning from Tunus. Start a second intifada. So you don't know nothing about your close history and blame everything on Israel. Wake up Esther, If you don't help to your self who would?. Why don't you start to educate yourself, and be proud of your country. Aby

Hezbollah or Hamas, they are the same side of a coin. Whether Sharon invade or not they would arouse, they were there long before Sharon invade Lebanon. Just google it. You'll find that they were established in 1970, after 1967 war. Wake up Esther and your likes. Dont beleive these fairy mits. They are cheating you and your likes with this tales that Hezbo and Hamas is the Israel's fault. Aby

They still had a right to return to their homes and property once the conflict subsided. Where does it say that, if you flee your home in war, you have no right to ever go back and you have forfeited all rights to your property?

Quest to answer the question, âWhat is anti-Semitism today?â Does it remain a dangerous and immediate threat? Or is it a scare tactic used by right-wing Zionists to discredit their critics? Speaking with an array of people from across the political spectrum (including the head of the Anti-Defamation League and its fiercest critic, author Norman Finkelstein) and traveling to places like Auschwitz (alongside Israeli school kids) and Brooklyn (to explore reports of violence), Shamir discovers the realities of anti-Semitism today. His findings are shocking, enlightening and â surprisingly â often wryly funny. http://www.archive.org/details/Hashmatsa

Indeed, your words have more power than any of the rest of us. Wonder if Levy ever thought of you or others who survived such horrors when he acts this way? Bless you Shalom.

# 193 PETER SM, An execellent post. Put in a nutshell. Everyone suould take note of its lucid & factual analysis of the situation that was & still is regarding the Arab problem.

per se... nor do i recall saying there was... the nazis pretty much put a lid on that sort of thing early on...although there were notable exceptions, like "white rose", "the kreisau circle", et al. but you do the greatest disservice to the many individuals who resisted the nazi agenda by whatever means they were able, despite the grave consequences they faced for doing so if they were caught, and despite the pall of fear and intimidation brought to germany and europe by the nazis; where inherent dangers lay in trusting anyone too much...friends, neighbors, and even family(the collaboration, cipora). YOU may not recognize them, but the state of israel DOES; doesn't it? it recognizes them as "the righteous among nations". yes indeed, israel recognizes and honors the "leftists" of that era; while it ostracizes and castigates its own. and for each one that it recognizes, cipora--how many would you venture are lost in the dark obscurity of the times? the odds are that the number of known instances represents only a small fraction of those who are worthy. indicative of your perspective cipora--"in holland, the locals did most of the rounding up of the jewish people. the same was true in france"~cjk maybe that's why holland and france rank 2nd and 3rd for the number of "righteous gentiles". perspective cipora; what suits your motives determines what you CHOOSE to see.

They tried REAL genocide for the rest.A "War of annihilation" Slow genocide ?? With an ever increasing population,especially in Gaza.?? What do Iranian mobs mean when they scream Death to Israel and Ahmadinejad says Zionists should be removed? how does he intend to do that? Since when do you speak for the whole world?Do you think before you sloganeer? You want to know the real reason for Pal refugee camps other than Arab apartheid? The most potent factor [in the flight of Palestinians] was the announcements made over the air by the Arab-Palestinian Higher Executive, urging all Haifa Arabs to quit... It was clearly intimated that Arabs who remained in Haifa and accepted Jewish protection would be regarded as renegades." -- London Economist Oct. 2, 1948) "The Arab states do not want to solve the refugee problem. They want to keep it as an open sore, as an affront to the UN and as a weapon against Israel. Arab leaders do not give a damn whether Arab refugees live or die", -- Ralph Galloway, former head of UNWRA, 1956

This is the number tatooed in my arm. Since you don't care about what happened, feel free to use it to play the Lotto.

Why do you and people like you tell so many lies, do you think if you say it enough it will become truth. Iran wants regime change in Israel, it has not threatened to wipe Israel off the map...like all of us around the world, we want Zionism wiped off the planet. It is becoming in fact, more evil than Nazism, with the slowest genocide in history being committed. Israel continues to destroy itself as long as right wing nutcase politicians and thieving settlers from America and Russia, continue to avoid democratic and international law. You want walls in Israel, we will make sure you never come out from behind them. Safer for us to have all of you in one place.

Surviving and remembering the holocaust is one thing Joseph, but have you been to Gaza to see what your fellow Jews have done there, or to the Jenin Refugee camp, or any other refugee camp in other countries that have had Palestinian refugees live there now for generations? Why sir, are only Jews the victims at all time in history? May your God forgive your fellow Jews in Israel for the holocaust they have committed since the day they were allowed to step foot onto lands of Palestine. This is happening now...what do you do to help people who have fallen victim to the terrorism of Zionism? Do you not think the children of Palestine are experiencing the same hauntings, horror and pain?

... and forgotten her English grammar entirely in the process... ... methinks someone is having an unprofessionaly "good time" at her expense...

... at no point does Gideon compare or equate the two... his subject is the tendency to exploit the Holocaust for political gain... on the contrary, you are exploiting a legitimate point of view that you do not accept, in an unjustifiably dramatic manner...

....nor did I invite uncle Ahmadinejad to Switzerland, nor did I wash any dirty money. And that's why I continue to feel as free as a bird to voice my opinion here...:)

Mr. Levy's piece exemplfies the sheer arrogance and evil of equating the dueling Jewish versus Palestininan nationalism and land disputes with the Holocaust and the slaughter of innocents. In essence, this amoral equivalence places a greater value on Palestinian emotions about property and nationalism than it does on the lives of 2/3 of the Jews in Euurope. Does it offend anyone else that these "leftist' value Jewish live so cheap and Arab things so dear?

# 35 Cipora. Hi! Was # 35 written by you? I hardly ever see you using capital letters in your text. Anyhow,everyoe has the freedom of choice. But it seems that this post, # 35 has undergone a metamorphosis. And about G.L's article. I'll deal with it another time. Have a good weekend. TT/I.

Hezbollah arose, in response to Sharon's crass and ambitious invasion of Lebanon... Hamas was almost a creation of Israel, in the hope that it would vie with Arafat... today we contend with two well-oranized enemies of Israel... could it have been different?... maybe...

Thanks Gideon for this great article, The world should understand that the Palestinians are the victims of the victims of the Holocaust.

Once again, an Israeli newspaper columnist speaks the worthy and well-thought-out criticism of the Israeli government that nobody in the United States would dare speak in public for fear of being shouted down and black-balled as an anti-Semite. Thank you , Mr Levy.

Levy is the best Israel has. Too bad there are so few others in his class. I would go further than he and say that Holocaust Remembrance actually harms Israel and Jewry. (Yet, paradoxically, this is healing for the world.) The more 'pushy' Jews get in rubbing the world's nose into this very controversial old wound, the more resentment comes, the more unflattering comparisons with modern Israel come to mind, and the more people will come to believe in revisionism. And indeed, maybe these are all GOOD outcomes which God is doing through the Jews. All because of a warped, vengeful 'never forgive, never forget' ideology which Israel can never outgrow. This bitterness and hardness of heart, while doing the same crimes against Palestinians, will be the Jews' undoing.

Of course Ahmadinejad is not Hitler. He is his own type of murderer. But don't think he isn't a mass murderer, and Jews are one of his targets. He is an Islamist ideologue, which means he will kill people in the name of spreading Islam, and he does. He has threatened all of Israel with mass murder, which is as good as Hitler, but in its own evil way.

You are my man Gideon. It is a shame that you are not in charge. The world will be a better place.

In his speech yesterday, Netanyahu's equating Nazi Germany with fundamentalist Iran was m o r e than cheap propaganda. By this comparison he was insulting the victims and the survivors of the Nazi Terror, a terror unequaled in the entire history and civilization of Man. Iran isn't Germany, Ahmedinejad isn't Hitler just as little as the Fjord near Eilat isn't a fjord at all. Do we always need to compare, to "relativate" events, landscapes, crimes, horrors? What a foolish habit.

Once someone is attacked (6 day war and others) they tend to get defensive, especially with many calling for their extinction. Israel if FAR from innocent and they have aggressive tendencies. When others are firing rockets at them every day, and sending in suicide bombers what would you do? My guess is defend yourself. All people involved (for thousands of years) are at fault for this mess. My question is when does the finger pointing and threats stop (both sides) so reason can prevail?

Throughout Jewish history it is with the sword that we had that allowed us to survive and live in relative peace. Not to acknowledge this basis of our existence to commit suicide. Gideon simply turns a blind eye to the wishes of the Muslims to kill us all; does he believe that if we open our borders to Gaza and the West Bank they will embrace us? Reality and history have no impact on his inept attempt to get acceptance, just as the Holocaust Jews have learned. If we need another reminder look at how the Bielski Brothers survived the Holocaust and saved 1237 Jews. It was not by making nice to those who would kill them. Today there are more than 20,000 offspring walking around because of the Bielskis, so take heed and be strong. "I am Bielski".

Shame on you Levy, you've slipped into the leftist habit of outright damnation where moderate thinking is needed. You're no better than those who seek the utter obliteration of Israel. You've lost all credibility with me.

Like his predecessors, Netanyahu violates those who suffered and died in the Holocaust by using it as a political tool to deflect criticism of Israeli policies. No-one expects our politicians to be angels, but this cynical use of suffering for political gain is worthy only of the gutter. And it is to the gutter that Bibi and co. are dragging us ever closer.

Netanyahu spoke of a new "migration policy," one that is evil through and through. He malevolently lumped together migrant workers and wretched refugees - warning that they all endanger Israel, lower our wages, harm our security, make us into a third-world country and bring in drugs. He zealously supported our racist interior minister, Eli Yishai, who has spoken of the migrants as the spreaders of diseases such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, AIDS and God knows what else.] [ sorry! But all this is true. I guess we all have forgotten the lessons of "Columbus and the New World". Just look at what the U.S. is dealing with concerning Mexico, and Illegal immigration!! Drugs, disease, violent offenders. We don't have jobs here in the U.S. for our own citizens let alone immigrants. They come here and use our services and pay no taxes into the programs as we do. They are in our prisons and sapping our tax money. Eventually the U.S. WILL become a third world country!! I feel we are being invaded

You write "how does he know with such certainty that Ahmadinejad does not share the genocidal ambitions of a Hitler?" The answer is: he doesn't. So you have to balance all the factors. The information you have + the probabilities of certain outcomes + the costs of each outcome. If you look only at one man (e.g. ahmedinajad) than the math is good. kill him. But if you start looking at the next day, the math changes. The primary factor improperly viewed by people like you is the relative value of certain lives. Before you walk into a room where children are going to be killed, you keep asking second opinions until it is time. Israel is not doing that.

I am stunnned by the harshness of Mr. Levy's critique of the current Israeli governement from Peres and Netanyahu on down. He is a moral purist who feels we cannot affirm our needs or tender criticism if we are not as pure as the driven snow. Such purism is not realistic nor helpful in dealing with the complex issues which Israel faces. Finally how does he know with such certainty that Ahmadinejad does not share the genocidal ambitions of a Hitler?

"They started out as defense for their ppl from Israeli aggression." Which aggression are we talking about? The Palie aggression had bringed the Israeli aggression. Be sure that if you show sign of weakness in this area, the day after there would be no Israel. We didn't invent the suicade bombers. If Israel is living in this area, not because of you, but because of me which I've learned long time ago how to depend on me. Don't make me laugh Hezbo, Hamas is Palie creation, not Israeli to begin with. I doubt that you know anything Hezbo and Hamas. Aby

Very keen perspective. It's worth noting that Palestinians are from Semitic tribes, so anti-semitism is not only against Jews. The Palestinians, however, have no European blood in them, thus are viewed, (in a western perspective), as inferior. This type of racism permits Israel to justify it's horrible persecution of the Palestinians. (at least in their own minds). Thank you for standing up for the underdog. There is more than one side of the story here, but we here in the U.S. typically only hear the Israeli version of the "Truth". God bless all of you; Jew, Muslim and Christians in finding a peaceful resolution.

At times when in Germany they prepare its citizens psychologically for a possible war against Iran, as suggested by Israel, it is great to read Gideon Levy who seems to be the only moral institution in Israel. I am scarred to witness again the preparations for a new war. I do not think we really can afford it to attack again on the wrong front. Lets face the problem and get rid of the occupation and its malicious settlements before it is too late.

Salam from Morocco I was impressed reading your article mr Gordon Levy. as I see lot of people arround the world agree with you. Thank you for just beeing a true Israelite looking for the best of this country. Thank Haaretz for the publication. Salam

Israel's officials have a responsibility to the safekeeping of those citizens living within the state of Israel. I am all for peace between Arabs and Jews and a united state of Palestine and Israel, but as long as you have suicide bombers posing as refugees you cannot allow refugees into the country. The separation wall might not be the best answer to that problem, but it's definitely not the worst. The majority of innocent Palestinians will have to pay for the minority of trouble makers.

More than once the Jewish people was threatened with annihilation. It has survived. Our religious belief to many is that there is resurrection and an afterlife; and it could be that afterlife is what remains in our memory of the dead. Never forget. Therefore, to be forgotten is to be wiped off the face of the earth. So the bible says we were massacred because we sinned or because other people were jealous of us; and the people will be brought back to their land, Israel and this will show the greatness of the Lord; they were killed in foreign lands for centuries. Here we are with our land, Israel. We should remember all those slaughtered during the Holocaust and those in Poland, Ukraine, Iraq centuries before. It may be a boon for Israeli propaganda, but it was the wish of all those persecuted people in exile to return to our home for centuries. I don't think we should forget what Holocaust remembrance is about. We should remember those who died. They were good people.

A thoughtful, inspiring article on a cynical misuse of the holocaust, which Israeli politicians should be ultra-careful to avoid. I too am unsure what to do, but feel totally gloomy about the present course. We need a deep revival of the Jewish association with economic and social justice movements. Just because many Arab and Muslim countries are messed up politically, for a lot of historical and other reasons, is not an excuse to give in to bigotry and not work for a just future for the whole region.

It is interesting for me as an American to see the writing of an extreme left winger. Clearly, he is entitled to his "way out" views. Bus I ask this question: how does this kind of bloviating help Israel? Every country has its faults. So what? Do we eleminte all governments and start over? Our governments reflect us, as humans. Thus, they have flaws. But Israel has certain special responsibilities in the world, and remembering the Holocaust is one of them. May G-d continue to bless Israel and its people, including the ungrateful Gideon Levy.

Am I guilty for not forgetting that a huge part of my family (50 people, kids included) were killed because they were Jewish during the Holocaust? Should I apologize to some German kid today for still remembering this? Should I apologize for saying that Israel (and the Jews "in it") is in mortal danger everyday since its re-inauguration in 48, and even more so with enemies with nuclear armament? These are the questions. Gideon Levy - I hope that you'll be in the front lines when the enemies attack. You will not be spared Andrei

Dear Gideon, Thank you for a great article with honesty and truth. Peter holocaust is nothing to the with Iran or Palestinians , it has nothing to the with anyone but Hitler (Nazis), it was nightmare for all the Jews, it was horrible but it is not something you could use to attack Palestinians or Iran, or any of your neighbours for that matter, Israel's current status in the region and in the eyes of many people around the world is due to its selfish , incompetent policies and bringing up holocaust is not gonna change people's mind, world stop feeling sorry for Israel long time ago......!"!

Gideon Levy has fallen in a sad trap laid out by the enemies os Israel and truth when he brashly equate the legitimate commemoration of the Holocaust with day to day politics. If we don't honor and remember and remind the world of what happened to millions of our people, who will. Some things needs to stand on their own merit and not be cheaply used t make a political point!

Most of the responses here are so predictable. Without reading them I could predict so easy what it would be about. Not predictable, however, are the words mr. Levy uses. He's a briljant commentator, a real independent thinker. A pearl among the swines.

Find out why those groups exist to begin with. They started out as defense for their ppl from Israeli aggression. Dont act like Israel is some innocent angel and hasn't murdered thousands over the decades. and no Mark it wasn't always self-defense.

the enemy's between us and his name's the absense of respect to our own dead people.We are the only nation playing such dirty games.MY HUGE RESPECT TO MR.LEVY

"you can`t make nice with your adversaries if they want to destroy you" No, you can't, but you can change their attitudes so that they don't want to destroy you anymore and instead become your friends; that's the only way to lasting peace. In the end, Israel is no match for a billion Arabs, and Europe and the US are sooner or later going to tire of supporting Israel. In addition, there is a limit to the kinds of actions that are justified by self-defense. In the end, I have no idea what the right thing to do is, but the current policies are neither just nor effective.

"I know thy works, and tribulation and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the Synagogue of Satan." (The Book of Revelations 2:9)

I can't believe that an Israeli newspaper would publish such a vicious anti-Israel article. This will be further excite Jew-haters around the world. With Israelis like this, they don't need others to destroy the country. Israel will be destroyed from within.

To write such an article at a time when many of us are mourning those members of our families killed in the Holocaust (whose yahrzeits we canot commemorate because we do not know the exact day they met their end) takes real chutzpah. It is only equalled by the comments Mr. Levy reportedly made to Conde Rice about his dreams of having Israel raped by the Arabs.

gideon levy, this article would have marked the end of your journalistic career in any western country. surprisingly, in israel you can publish one after the other.. you are not only equating holocaust to oppression, but in fact even victimizing the victims once more, when you try to put such an obligation (israel being the healer of any idiots) onto them as a consequence for the holocaust. no. from a logical point its ISRAEL which is most eligible to defend their borders, to protect their people. to make sure, that this doesnt happen TO THEM AGAIN. thats the obligation. even the iranian plonker got it, what makes him denying the holocaust.

"For anyone to compare the demoniacal torture and genocide of the Holocaust with the Israeli treatment of Gaza is sheer evil." MTQ Read Levy's text before commenting it. I am helping you: "Iran isn't Germany, Ahmedinejad isn't Hitler and equating them is no less spurious than equating Israeli soldiers with Nazis." G. Levy Read carefully the two premises in the phrase above. It's not about comparing Gaza with the Holocaust. It's precisely the opposite: about Netanyahu making such unwarranted comparisons left and right and building thereby the political capital for deflecting the quite unrelated to Holocaust criticism of the Israeli policies.

Levy is a boon for Palestinian propoganda.

Need I say anymore ?

I hope Gideon that you are pleased with yourself I spend hours on the Yahoo Message Boards in Australia, trying to combat antisemitism I have to thank you for undoing so much of my good work, with your article. I am now stressed beyond belief since it was posted. Antisemitism gone wild.

Quote: "Holocaust denial is dangerous. Holocaust misappropriation is equally dangerous and also profoundly disrespectful..."

... first time ever many good Jews were not moved-to-the-depths by the pontification of our current leaders, against the dour and tragic backdrop of Holocaust scenes... Israel has gone to far in its crass illegitimate treatment of the Pals... we are now judged primarily by our crassness...

thank you for let us reading something explains the truth so well.

...the image of Israel or Israeli people. The speech of Netanyahu of a "new migration policy" or the articles like above of Gideon Levy

A boon????? Sure, why don't we forget all about it as, it seems that another holocaust is in the making soon enough, Nothing new under the sun. Not even people among us with Gideon's Levy outlook.

It is odd, so odd, that your family did not notice the many Jews who lived in your midst and were dirt-poor. They sent the money they scraped together from their illegal jobs back to their even more miserable and persecuted relatives in other parts of Europe and further afield, just like today's sans-papiers/zonder papieren from other countries are doing now. Not all Jews were rich, Monique, not during your grandparents' time, not now. I suggest you do a little more research, before everyone who can inform you of what really went on in your country before World War II has passed on. Speak to your countrymen, of whom there were some who risked their own lives trying and sometimes succeeding in saving Jews from the Nazis for no reward at all. They will tell you.

is now somehow "offensive" and an Israeli publicity stunt. I don't know if you have been to any but where I have attended Israel does not get a mention,the dead do. First came Irving with his denial and claim that once the world recognised that the Holocaust did not occur Israel would fold within years. Along came Ahmadinejad and now the useful idiots have fallen into line.The Holocaust is somehow everything except what it is claimed to be. People who find it "boring" can switch off and not see how the world has learnt nothing from it.That includes the racist incitement lies and hatred coming from the "proletariat".

I haven't read an article this good for ages!

The occupation could have ended in 2000 or under the Clinton plan Note how there are no movies of life in Ramallah and other West Bank cities showing the villas and mercedes. There are videos only of incoming fire NOT outgoing from Hamas. Do you for a moment think those children were just picked randomly,spoke spontaneously and just happenned to be intelligent,articulate and handsome.?

this guy writes from a safe tel aviv office and talks garbage about his own country that gives him free speech. he would never live with the terror he protects hes a hypocrite

If they are abused enough or, if enough die trying to cross the Egyptian border, the word spreads like wildfire. Of course they expect death, rape, etc. and all TO LEAVE their Muslim nations. And still, it's worth it. I see no one is trying to smuggle into any Muslim nations. People are 'voting' w/ their feet and their lives all in order to escape radical Muslim governments that oppress, rapes, and kills you!

Very true!

Gideon Levy and the extrem-right. the same propaganda!

Why not invite all the other Pals to come and live in Canada? I'm sure Canada would welcome them w/ open arms, as they have you.

If it wasn't for the gaza blockade there would be another holocaust and you Mr Levy would be one of the victims. Regarding the poor 'innocent' palestinians, they've got only themselves to blame for their own misery as they put hamas terorists into power because they all share the same goal: killing Jews! So wake up Mr. Levy, political correctness is the beginning of the end of any nation. Look at the former great old USA!

you have a convenient memory. Good thing there are plenty more "Settlers" to take their place and help you to remember what you neglected to mention. BUILD BABY BUILD!!!

During the Holocaust, the nazis massacred in total between 11 and 17 million people. Out of that total, there were 6 million Jews. No one denies that there were non-Jews that were massacred. The difference is that only minorities, such as the Jews, homosexuals,Romani and handicapped were systematically massacred, because of what they were. Three of my grandparents perished during the Holocaust. That doesn't mean that I do not honor the memory of the non-Jewish victims, Tarantino.

"the world is talking Goldstone" That is certainly news to me. If I asked anyone at work who he is I doubt a single one would have heard of him.

Be happy. Don't hate. Never forget, but let go of the past. It's a new age.

Bibi and Peres will be disappointed. They didn't broadcast those speeches widely, deciding to focus instead on the significance of the day to their own individual countries and on the religious ceremony at Auschwitz. The world is learning to take our politicians less seriously and to separate the wheat from the chaff. The world knows Ahmedinejad isn't Hitler, the world knows Israeli soldiers aren't Nazis.. and that Iran's, Lebanon's, Palestine's soldiers aren't Nazis either. The message will sink in.... eventually. Holocaust denial is dangerous. Holocaust misappropriation is equally dangerous and also profoundly disrespectful to its indecently numerous victims, both dead and still living.

At first I was not going to read this article as Levy always has it wrong. Instead I read the responses. Reading these , I thought mabe Levy had a point, so I read the article. Same old misunderstanding. What Levy fails to understand is that youcan't make nice nice with your adversaries if they want to destroy you. Appeaement never gained anything. Diplomacy is needed on both sides, not only one. Mt Levy, there was no blockade of Gaza before the rockets. Israel drove out the people of Gush Gatif hoping a more stable situation would develop. Not only did they get no credit for this, a reign of terror ensued.

evil. This guy says outrageous things without a touch of proof, or,I should say, despite the evidence. It's clear this guy hates Israel, and slanders away with his personal bitterness. That's his issue, though. What I don't agree with is Haaretz giving such a bitter man with no journalistic integrity a platform?

I hope that one day you will learn how damaging such articles are for Israelis. The political propaganda behind this is very clear, but these are being quoted everywhere in the world - and are used against us. Wish I could understand what drives some people to sacrifice Israel for the sake of publicity or the feeling of 'making justice'. There is a very high price tag to such mistakes. It is very good that ministers are abroad, and that the world's speeches are supporting. Keep in one thing in mind: Nobody wants war. But some of us do not want to die. What you call 'clean hands' - means, people in Tel-Aviv sitting cafe-houses, while thousand others are being bombarded. How clean is that ? Please stop and see my view for a few seconds, or even a few minutes.

The most of the outsiders keeps the Holocaust and the policy of Israel totally separate things. The Holocaust has horrified people everywhere but it does not make people blind to the suffering of the others even if it caused also by the Israeli ones (the military actions, settlements, tha racisism ...)

Pardon me but, what a putz. He's beginning to sound like OBama.

Pfui Gideon Levy.For Once Listen to the speach of Ahmad Tibi on the Holocaust. He called Hamas and the Pals the"victims victims". in that line The Gazans are the victims of Hamas: the victims victims victims and the Inhabitants of Sderot and Gilad Shalit are The victims of the Gazans, the victims victims victims victims. Tibi also called for consideration for each other. This is excellent reasoning. The moment we realize that we are all victims, we can exercise compassion and we don't have to make more victims.Remember Gideon, Netanyahu too is a victim just as you yourself are. A Western value says:" Love thy neighbour as thy own" We have all met at least once a decent Palestinian and a Decent IsraeliSo we can have respect and consideration for each other.

The Holocaust is one of the greatest crimes of history and it deserves to be remembered with dignity, with solemnity and with suitable speakers. I wouldn't want Blair or Bush speaking at a Holocaust remembrance. And having Lieberman or Bibi is as bad. They're political hacks with racial politics, there to score their own sad little political points. It's obscene. The fact that they're Jewish should not on its own be justification for having them there. There are plenty of noble, inspiring Jews who have helped humanity, who could have done the job of Holocaust remembrance instead yesterday. Not these two chancers.

I guess when your parents are Holocaust survivors you are allowed to make inappropriate comments about anything you want, right Gideon? The Anti-Self Defamation League www.tamingkorach.com

It's always better to keep quit and be 'considered a fool, than to speak and 'remove all doubts.

this article will publish hundreds of anti-Israel web sites & blogs.Just think few seconds to whom you are serving & think what happened when we have not a state during world war 2.

Remember the one about not expanding settlements?

Thank you Gideon. I would like to add that I wasn't born during world war II but I remember my grand-parents talking about this time. They didn't agree with Hitler and called Germans "Bosh". They had a very bad time during that war. And I wander : why did it happen ? Before the war, there was a big depression, a crisis. Many people were starving in Europe. Would Jews who were living in the nations have been made uneasy if they had shown a bit of compassion and solidarity with the people among which they were living ? Many Jews were wealthy and liked to show it. They were calling Christians "goiim" in a scornfull way. "Goï" comes from guéhah = to cure, so "cured" (for a few, at least). Aretz, the dry path, the narrow door must exist within the mind before one enter the land. Aretz is enabled by generosity. Isn't Aretz living in the present with no hatry from the past and no fear for the futur, but with the faith in Elohim.

Bravo! Gideon Levy. If you are a Jew you are one with guts. I salute you for this impartial "fairdinkum" piece of periodism. Amazingly, reading your article I realize is the first time I have read something with substance and exempted of crap.

suppliers & volunteers for the Vermacht medical corps? What evil do you fight grovelling to human rights abuser Ahmadinejad and inviting him to the palace? What evil do you fight by hiding dirty money from taxes or stolen by dictators from their starving people.? Let us know when you are in a moral position to preach -to anybody.? Looking forward to your oblique non answer.

Dear Gideon, You don't always get it right. You preach too much. But this is right on. Israel's new foreign policy is to call everyone an anti-Semite who dares to ask whether every governmental policy is really good for Israel and the world. We need to keep Gaza on the agenda without forgetting about Iran, and we need to keep refugees on the agenda without forgetting that we voted for this wretched

I was very much on Israel side before I saw this documentary "Occupation 101". Everybody should watch it, so the world may come to know what Israel is doing in Gaza and Palestine.. Israel should now mend its ways.. If you have been victim of a tragedy, it doesn't mean you would also do the same to other's, rather you must be more sensitive to others. Great article. Regards Kanika

How beautiful that Gideon forgets this important issue, Egyptian border guards shoot to kill at refugees and rape them and rob them. This is what the friendly Arabs do with refugees while Israel builds a fence like every developed country intends to do when bordering a poorer country, take the USA for instance with respect to Mexico. Gideon thanks for you jew hating contributions we at least know in 2010 you did not change a bit.

... at the same time that Bibi and Peres were potifying in Europe, settler Cossaks were freely conducting a 'price-tag' pogrom on innocent Pal villagers... nobody interfered...

Well, whatever the tone of this article, it is perfectly right. So what? No leader in Israel has the courage to stand up and stop the evil in Israel, political, economical, social, moral... And the citizens are so apathic or they keep their head in religious or money grabing sands. And the poor citizens originated from countries where political and civil conciousness was non-existent. Is it the beginning of the end of the second return? "The strongest is never strong enough to remain the master, if he does not turn his strength into justice" (after Rousseau, a goy). Move, for G-d's sake!!!!

Prior to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 the population of Palestine was 20% Christian. They were also expelled due to the drive to create a majority Jewish state (Jews one third of the population of Palestine at that time mostly newcomers) and forced into external refugee camps or displaced internally. So do you apply your suicide bomber stereotype to them also? They also took part in the uprisings (intifadas) against Israel.

Mr Levy, you deceive yourself and others: Ahmedinejad IS Hitler. Antisemitism 'raised its ugly head' long before Gaza. To blame Israel for antisemitism shows pathetic naivete and self-hate. Would you blame a woman for being raped the night after she wore a mini-dress that morning? No, because that would not be politically correct. No brownie points for you. Such blame would also be illogical and misdirected. Sound familiar yet?

dear gideon it seems like Mr Benjamin Netanyahu is not theonly one who hides the trues. In fact Palastinians and Israel continually for years were abused and killd by Hamas as well as Egypt closing the border for Palastinians to enter Egyp and Jordan.in time Israel used to let Palastinians to enter Israel Israel restrict entry to Palestinain since Israel were suffering from ongoing terrorism attack of suicide boomers' by Hamas (icluding some palastinains)killing innocent Israeli citizen.stop blaming Israel trying to pot blood in there hands the ironic true's is that Israel were allways been attack by Arabs bat thanks to god who allways watching over Israel.(shem you Levy).

2 resistants to the junta in Teheran were strung up today.They didn't even come close to the equivalent of what this self-hating loony left-wing Cannanite member of the Erev-Rav,a worthy pupil of Goebbels,spews about the DEMOCRACY,not THEOCRACY as he would have us wish to think.Yes there are problems,yes there is sometimes injustice,but the hatred of the hand that feeds him,is ONLY possible in such an environment.As to the illegal immigration,they're not even trying to get in to countries which are perpetrators of perecutory practises,but to developed ENTITIES (Zionist or not i.e.Western Europe),who are legitimately struggling to maintain their way of life.Try writing from Teheran,Gaza,Pyongyang,Caracas or even Mogadishu,Gideon and see how long you'd last. You probably had a troubled childhood. If this gets published I'll buy you dinner after I come on Aliya this year.

It' invain. There is no hope for him. He's absolutly lost. If some day our neighbours come to power here in Israel (God forbid), he will be the first to be eliminated. Poor he dosen't even understands that they are using him, he is serving them. Aby

I think the Palestinians wish to live in THEIR COUNTRY OCCUPIED by zionists not in another. Would you feel more at home living abroad? What a stupid thing to say!

I have to say, reading this gives me a much more positive view regarding Israel in general, I don't agree with the way things are done there (that I know of) and now I can see that not everyone in Israel agrees either, please continue to push your more intelligent points of view. By the way, could you please push this kind of news deeper into America so that we can actually get a real view of Israel, instead of the fluff we currently get from our own MSM (good vs evil). Thank You.

While it's nice to see both sides of the story, there is more at play here than even you nor I understand -

G. Peeper, the horrors of the wholesale deaths of Jewish people will never be forgotten, there are constantly documentaries, Hollywood films, books, speeches, etc. The image of a 10-year old contemplating her untimely and gory death is heartwrenching. However, we should not forget the very recent deaths of innocent Gazan children, their tiny bodies mutilated, wrapped in shrouds, so pale and pathetic, nor should we forget the hundreds of maimed innocents who will live with missing limbs and other injuries. Their parents are still in mourning, many with no roof over their heads, orphaned children are asking where their families are. And to think that these horrors have just recently been committed by a country founded as a haven for a persecuted group who are now themselves perpetrators of gruesome killing and destruction.

are rembered those who have no date or place of death are left with a shrine. The unspeakable cruelties are remembered as a lesson for all humanity. That is what Holocaust rememberance is and always has been about. Holocaust bashing is the new Leftist /Islamist boon,started by Ahmadinejad. Politics are your entry into the field

There were six million people killed in Nazi concentration camps. But they were not all Jews, They were political prisoners, Gypsies, Catholics, protestants, gays, insane, retarded, and three million Russian prisoners. So please when you talk about the six million remember the others besides Jews that made up the six million.

Every time I read this newspaper I'm offended. As a Jew, I'm offended. This is a new low, even for Ha'Aretz.

actually, very few if any germans were speaking out against the persecution and subsequent slaughter of the jewish people. indeed, there was no resistance movement against the nazis to speak of. the attempted assassination of hitler by a number of high officers in 1944 was for reasons of disagreement with hitler's war campaign which he was losing. otherwise, hitler and his nazi party were supported by all segments of german society: doctors, academics, the army high command, judges and lawyers, the aristocracy, and the working classes. furthermore, there was a large collaboration with the nazis in most countries they occupied. in holland, the locals did most of the rounding up of the jewish people. the same was true in france. there were rare exceptions; denmark and bulgaria.

Most of the world, it seems, doesn't like us. So what? What you fail to mention is that there are perfectly good reasons for Israel to behave this way towards Gaza, specifically, and toward the palestinians in general, who are directly to blame for their ordeal, since they have NEVER respected any agreements with Israel. Israel shouldn't base its decisions on world popularity, like you erroneously preach, but on the basis of national interest: right now, there is no peace partner and there never was. The fact that you keep on bashing Israel won't change this fact.Maybe the time has come for you to start supporting Israel, Gideon Levy?

how is it that the blockade in gaza is considered evil? maybe we should let palestinians run free in israel and blow up whatever they want including maybe someone you love. unfortunately, you obviously hate israel and the jewish people. when america took over mexico i don't seem to recall that they gave it back. do you? would you make peace with a people who have hate in their hearts? if so i actually feel sorry for you. thank g-d someone is pushing to remember the holocaust. as a child of survivors there is nothing more important. the germans tried to kill us and the muslim world is doing the same.

....then you are having a serious problem. Of course that doesn't only apply to Israel and the Jewish people, but also to them....

The pity is that the title of this article detracts from the horrors of the Holocaust and places attention on Mr Levy himself. The first thng you ask yourself when you read this article is 'Who is this schmuck?'

or the intentions of generations of Palestinians educated in hatred,rejection and martyrdom. Their education is not that much different to Nazi Germany,Jews drink blood,seek to controll the world etc etc. You did hear about the Qassams in the rarefied atmosphere of the uber intelligencia? PS(and this will probably guarrantee non publication) How many journalists here get stipends from various "peace foundations"? In my work I always have to declare any potential conflict of interest,why not journalists who like to boast their integrity?

Thank you Mr. Levy. You are Israel's voice of conscience.

generally speaking, those people who are guided by conscience and integrity aren't out for "acceptance"...which should be obvious to people like you and the rest of mr. levy's critics. people like gideon, judge goldstone, and others like them who you chose to denigrate, are out for truth, justice, and humanity; and ultimately for the good of israel and the jewish people. they certainly don't "like" seeing what they see and having to say what they say; but don't expect them to close their eyes and remain silent for the sake of being "accepted" by those who chose to ignore or excuse that which their conscience and integrity cannot. and guess what, pj? not all the world was silent to the suffering of "your people". people just like mr. levy who were considered leftist, and traitors to the german people by the nazis, for speaking out against their agenda of persecution. and i doubt very much if they were "looking for acceptance" either.

Yes, telling the Holocaust story can be overdone. But one of the most damaging propaganda attacks on the right of Jews to a state, that is, on the very existence of Israel, is the slanderous claim put forward by enemies of Israel like Norman Finkelstein and countless Arabs including Abbas and Ashrawi that Israeli existence depends on a Holocaust 'myth'. Yes, those who cheapen the Holocaust for political ends are to be condemned. But those who, like the psychologically damaged Levy, would use the pages of one of Israel's major newspapers to 'confirm' its enemies' propaganda, are not to be assisted in their confusion and treachery.

I see the anti-semites stormed into this talkback section quickly to bathe Gideon LEvy in praise. Levy, congrats on yet another anti-semitic hate article.

Gideon Levy takes every single issue and turns it into an anti-Israel hate topic. Holocaust memorial day is once a year, and Israel doesn't do anything wrong with it. But Gideon Levy's agenda is to promote as much hate towards Israel as possible and to make anti-semites happy, so he writes yet another article that will only be embraced by neo-nazis, islamic fundamentalists, anti-semites and far-left lunatics. Why Haaretz readers tolerate this garbage I have no idea.

There is nothing wrong with Israel protecting itself from those who want to destroy her and the holocaust is not propaganda, it actually happened. Maybe Palestinians should try some approach that doesn't include rockets and suicide bombers. Or maybe they would be more welcome and more at home in Egypt with their fellow Muslims but apparently they aren't welcome there either. Makes me wonder why???

Nuff said.

Many Israelis and Jews in the Diaspora have been afraid to speak their mind - until now. Let your courage - and, yes, it takes courage to speak like this in a public forum as a mainstream media journalist - be an inspiration to others that are fed up with more than sixty years of nothing but agro. The world needs a lot more like you. All the best to you.

Iran means the land of Aryan alright. But its leader are semitic.

"...how it is that anti-semitism has reared its head in the world precisely in the past year..." there's no doubt, it's given REAL anti-semites fodder to fan their hatred and an excuse to act on it; but do you really think that it's actually spawned MORE anti-semites than there were before? or has `cast lead' aroused a heightened and more focused awareness in the world that has led to more widespread and vocal protestations of israeli policy?

journalist and academic hacks like Gideon Levy...

Though I agree that to Holoucast should be kept out of politics Mr levi never makes his facts straight Phosphorus is permitted under international law whether we like it or not. Gaza blockade (shared with Egypt) is result of Hamas hostility, firing rockets etc.. Wars are terrible and Israel's wars are not exception All these facts are happily ignored by Mr levi to make his point - to demonize Israel

In Lenin's immortal words "useful idiots" will help the Bolshevik Revolution triumph. Since then there have been inumerable "useful idiots" who cast their soul's lot onto the "dustbin of history" along with teh fate of the Bolshevik Revolution. But there have also been idiots who in pursuit of careers based on shocking headlines cast their children's future into clutches of those would anihilate them. Gideon which idiot category do you belong to?

This article sums up what true Judaism is all about; that's justice. There are so many things going wrong in Israel right now, and we need voices live Gideon's to break the silence. Thank you so much for your articles.

How the hell you draw parallel between the meaning of Iran which is land of Aryans to it's leaders who are as semitic as you are. Nazis wanted to kill the jews. Iran's leader kiss the jews (don't believe me, youtube "ahmadinejad and jewish rabbis").

If Hamas would accept Israel the borders would be open and you know it.

Please Gideon MOVE BACK TO IRAN ! My family and I gave our blood for you to have the ability to spew this racial self hatred. If you hate being a Jew so much, please leave Israel. You would be doing all of us a favor. Don't forget to take your left wing propaganda with you. Your racial self hatred is a spit in the face to those that gave their lives to create the wonderful State of Israel. Where is your street cred Gideon? You have a computer? I lost a limb so you could have the right to live in peace and to speak your mind. You should be ashamed of your self for not using it. You have know idea what it means to be a survivor of the Holocaust. It is easy for you. Ahmadinejad? needs people like you to help annihilate beautiful Israel. Here is what your article does. It orphans Jewish children and facilitates hatred against the Jewish people around the world. As long as you write for this newspaper not one person I know will read it. May God forgive you.

I have never read anything so frank as this article. Thank you for writing it and having the courage to publish it. I will share it with my cultural anthropology classes in future sessions.

Thank you very much, Mr.Levy. I wish we have such a journalists capable of expressing their own views without a fear of loosing a job here in the USA. You are a hope, you are a bond between all good willing people. Thank you.

take with you the handlers of yours, including sedition party of Kadima.

you hit the nail on the head!!!! well done!

I was under the impression that those inside Israel that disagree with govt policy stay quiet and those that agree trumpet loudly. Its refreshing to see I am wrong. It gives me hope that there will one day be peace, the hypocrisy will end and the media machine will be made redundant.

Anti semetism has risen dramatically. History and the Holocaust can't be swooned over rapidly or muddled with modern politics. It must be digested and understood by young generations and clearly show how wrong and devastating an occurence it was. Never can it be watered down or overshadowed by any modern issue. It stands alone. Modern Jews shouldn't have to stumble over their own history to deal with current issues. They want to protect Israel. It is a simple reverse tactic to question the method or make guilty, false comparisons.

Great job, Mr. Levy. I think it's only fair if you would move to Sderot to show support for the poor victims. It's always easier to judge when experiencing a situation first hand.

Mr. Levy, As someone born a Jew, I am heartsick at the policies of the current Israeli administration, and disgusted by the behaviour of many of the "settlers". How can Israel expect international support when even her fellow Jews can not countenance her actions. If this "evil" you so eloquently describe cannot be eradicated, the State and the ideals of its founders are doomed.

Sir: Unable to appropriately finish the first within the space given; I will not be denied a conclusion. 156: Largely from Amsterdam; their lives extinguished because they are Jewish?!?! I may not comment with authority concerning the actions of your elected and appointed officials, but Holocaust Day MUST continue. The site of the atrocities must need be maintained as much so the world never forgets, but perhaps more importantly as sacred ground, soaked with the blood of shattered dreams, broken families torn asunder. And Israel must take those steps as needed to survive in a sea of troubles; if not for current, then for future generations, I become quite emotional over this, and apologize for my lack of cohesive thought. I just can't escape pondering the terror a 10 year old child must have felt just prior to her death: Common barnyard animals received better. This must not ever happen again! Thank-you

the jewish people didn't ask to be persecuted by the nazis. gideon would prefer we just forget. levy isn't intellectual honest. he turns the cheek at any abuse of the jewish people but highlights even the slightest issue when it comes to the arabs. there's a story about a newly elected member of the british parliment entering the chambers for the first time. a veteran showed him how the house seating is divided between the parties at which point the rookie refers to one half of the facility as the 'side of the enemy'. the veteran corrects him 'no that's the side of the opposition.this side that belongs to you is that of the enemy'. the enemy is among us and his name is gideon levy.

The article is strictly rhetoric and belongs in an editorial page if it is worthy of printing at all. At a time when all Jews should be banding together to find solutions to the difficulties that Israel is facing, worldwide antisemitism is out of control and Iran begins to replay Hitler dream while denying it at the same time. While Jews mourn their lost Generation, Gideon Attacks. Shame on You! Why don't you join Hamas while you are at it and serve those who would destroy Israel.

Sir: The title of this article has assumed a special significance for me as of late; this, aside from the actions taken, right or wrong, by certain elected or appointed officials. In fine: In researching my genealogy over a time span exceeding ten years, information recently acquired suggests my surname derives Sephardi Jewish ancestors from Holland. With eager anticipation, the quest to find those sharing my surname began. Imagine my horror, my grief, my despair; when confronted with the stark tragedy of a Holocaust which held no meaning until now: For it is then and there: Auschwitz and other camps where 156 individuals of whom my surname is shared; 156 people, entire families; Betty Peeper was 10 years of age when her "de-lousing" resulted in her death; a death likely taking place while terrified being taken from her family. Another was born, lived a month or so, and died. Alright, I see I have run out of space, but I'm not done!

Very good article, really exposes the hypocritical agenda of the Israeli government. Respect everyone and peace will prevail.

world is to increase controversy and therefore readership, serve as a lightnening rod for anti-semites and validate their thinking. The self serving article is smut. The Holocaust is commemorated because it was a tragic event in Jewish life and will not be forgotten. Who better to represent the Jewish people other than the Jewish State of Israel who's raison d'etre is that such a tragety will never happen again.

And Gideon, this is something I wish I could say to your face. You're blinded by your politics and can't provide any rational responses anymore. What happened?

what are you doing Israel? Religion is no excuse for what you are doing! Stop before it is too late. The World is watching.

Gideon, though you speak passionately about how disproportionate the Operation Cast Lead was and how unfair the Gaza blockades are, you NEVER seem explain how you would solve the problem of dealing with the Hamas, the fairly genocidal, Iranian proxy force residing in Gaza. What would you do if you were leader of a country and your neighbor was leaking terrorists into your country, killing your civilians, firing tens of thousands of rockets onto your cities. Talk about rhetoric. Gideon, it's YOU that spews nothing but rhetoric because you NEVER approach this situation rationally. It's easy to say Israel is an oppressor without actually providing some rational solutions. It's easy to say Israelis are xenophobes with out actually addressing the issue of terrorism. I don't think I've actually seen the word terrorism or terrorist in your columns ever. Why do you avoid talking about Hamas? Really Gideon, I've been reading your columns for a long time, and it seems you've gone mad.

¨However, you cannot expect from Israel to encourage its own destruction, as Israel`s destruction¨ Only if it is GOD plan!

author is a miserable jewish slave who hope to be pardoned when his nation would be exterminated

When I, a gentile, look back at the history of the Jewish people and their persecution down the ages, I want my people and my government to help ensure that it never happens again. But why do you make it so hard for your friends? Why can't you help raise the Palestinians up and give them justice and freedom and schools and jobs - a future? Become their champions instead of trying to supress them - supression only breeds violence. If you ask on their behalf, everyone will give and the war will be over. Terrorism will be over. People with hope have no reason to fight.

Bravo Mr. Levy...very astute and brave...how about if you go into Gaza, a one-man peace initiative- and get hamas to cease firing rockets, then go to Lebanon and talk hezbollah into disarming, and then Israel can stop recalling the holocaust; except for my relatives, Gideon, the ones who live in New York and have numbers tattooed on their forearms.

useful idiot is a gideon is.

You are living in Boston because of "new Hitler"?From "land of Aryans"?OK, you'll not be "wipped off the map" just now.It'll happen with you later.

Gideon Levy, Uri Avneri and Amira Haas continue to be the voice of Jewish conscience. Unfortunately IMO it is too late. Israel's belligerent self-righteousness, faux victimhoood and callously cynical exploitation of a human tragedy have irremediably poisoned the well. What kind of dementia causes a country to invite the Pope for a visit and then beats him over the head with recriminations for not atoning more emphatically? Israel is on a self-destruct mission more dangerous than any supposed threat on eastern horizons.

To the politicians, reporters, etc.etc.... During years of reading about the 'Palestinian' conflicts, I frequently observed the deliberate unwillingness to differentiate between CAUSE and EFFECT. Cheers

A broken record, true leftie, Arab supporter, hamas supporter, hezbollah supporter, Syrian supporter and the list of evil that surrounds the great state of Israel. Levy truely needs another Job. He is a cartoon

Mr. Levy, Iran isn't Germany, Ahmedinejad isn't Hitler? No, not yet, but their intentions are pretty clear and their funding of terror (Argentina)and terror groups to advance their agenda is real. Yes, the GAZA situation is sad, but blaming Israel solely is beyond the pale, and appeasement of those who want you dead NEVER works. M. Begin (I'm sure you hated him) negotiated peace with Egypt from strength, not pathetic groveling your vision of Isreal would require. I applaud your empathies; outlandish, backward and hurtful to real peace (and Israel's survival) as they. I too wish for peace with the Pals, but not your version. Wake up Mr. Levy and grow up while you're at it.

Mr Gideon Levy you are very much mistaken about your liberal approach to immigration. It is very right and responsible for your government to protect what your fathers fought so hard for. Linking the Iranian leader with the holocoust is right too because he said it never happened. There is still a great evil in the world that would like to bring down Isreal and this must be kept in mind for all Israelis.

Another excellent presentation of the truth by Gideon Levy. I too find it rather obscene when Israeli politicians demean the Holocaust and its victims for political purposes. If the concerted effort of Netanyahu, Peres and Lieberman was intended to influence the member states of the UN General Assembly regarding the Goldstone report, then perhaps they should have stayed at home.

בשם אלהים הרחמן והרחום / B'shem Elohim ha-rachaman v'ha-rachum התהלה לאלהים רב כל עלמים / ha-t'hilah l'Elohim rav kol olamim הרחמן והרחום / ha-rachaman v'ha-rachum מלך יום הדין / melech yom ha-din אותך נעבד; אליך נשוב / ot'kha na'avod; alecha nashuv הנחנו בדרך הישר / hanchenu b'derech ha-yashar בדרכם של אלה אשר נטית להם / b'darcham shel eleh asher n'tiyat lahem אשר לא חרון אפו עליהם ולא מן התועים / asher lo charon apo aleihem v'lo min hato'im.

three conditions: (a) renounce the use of violence against Israel (b) recognize the agreements the PLO signed with Israel and (c) recognize Israel, for inclusion into the political spectrum of solving the territorial conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, rather than continuing the war. Why doesn't Gideon Levy ever address this very item which would have prevented the Gaza war in the first place - not that the war had to be initiated of course? The International Holocaust Remembrance Day should be accepted as a separate reminder of the attempted annihilation of the Jewish people, along with occupying independent European nations and not a territorial conflict as within the Middle East between two similar cultures of the region. Further, the Quartet advocating for a Middle East settlement, is largely the same representative countries who ended the Holocaust and the atrocity of millions dead - the U.S., Russia, EU, and other countries which today are included in the U.N.

There is no grey area for those who have actually brushed against evil. However, it is easy to forgive those who have only read of it, and to envy them.

We should be thankful, even if it is PR, that someone is still telling the TRUTH in this world.

You are the one of the REAL TRUE SPEAKERS, permitting me not to be shamed to be a jewish. mr/mrs PJ, NO DIFFRENCE between burning jewish children in gaz camera and burning palestinian children by white phosphoros.Make your choice by yourself, what do YOU prefer?

Calling efforts to bring attention to remembrance day events "Propaganda" is offensive and insensitive. Someone has been at work, twisting your mind. I would expect such utterances and opinions in the Palestinian press, not Haaratz

It is good to hear reality once in a while. More especially when it comes from Israel. It gives you hope that there is still a shot at peace between most of the Middle-East and Israel. This is one of the best heart spoken articles I ever read. Congratulation Gideon, hope your article help bring a reality check to the rest of the world.

why should Israel commit acts of violent revenge? why cause so much trouble for this world? and yes there is quite a comparison between Israel and Germany of 1942... why is it that your not allowing people, yes PEOPLE!, into your country? why not keep the country united but equal for all? make peace not war, it is as simple as that. just forget about the differences and move on, if not for the children of this world, then what for?

How do you not get that Iran which means Land of Aryans in Farsi who has a leader that says he wants to wipe Israel, a land of 6 million Jews (and others) off the face of the map is not comparable to Hitler and Nazi Germany? You have to have your head in the ground and not read about WWII to not see the comparison and the way the world is dealing with Iran has similarities to how the world dealt with Nazi Germany in the 30s. The connection is quite clear, as is your denial, which was true of the leftist in the 30s about Nazi Germany. Congratulations the world has come full circle and learned nothing.

Mr. Levy, as I was reading your article I thought that you were a very close relative of Ahmadinejad. You are a self hating Jew-what a pity. The only thing that you do in every article is blame Israel for everything. If Israel is such a terrible country with a terrible government please consider moving. Iran may be a good place. They really treat everyone equally and have a wonderful government. You will feel very much at home there. Try it.

We just want to remember those who didn't survive. The current talking head may use it for their political gain, but we need to remember. Huanting, torturing, and painful; that has been the existance. May God give you and your families the grace and mercy to never face such true horror.

W hy do people like levy always brings up words like pogrom and holocaust into the equation. As if the bad things that befall Palestinians always need comparison to things that happened to Jews. Levy knows that pogroms killeds hundred-thousands and even tens of thousands of Jews at a time. There is no literal or figurative comparison to a few crazed settlers throwing rocks and messing up a few trees. People like Levy are exactly one half of the equation of what's wrong in this conflict. On one end you have the crazed right wingers and on the other you have the naive and idiotic left. I am a liberal(basically a leftist) but the left needs to let go of the idea that by simply making it easier to call the Israelis evil or as he said "lose the PR war" helps the Pals at all.

Apparently Israeli leaders cannot even commemorate the Holocaust without Mr. Levy spewing his virulent criticism.

Holocaust Remembrance is exactly that. Anti-semitism didnt just re appear last year. It never went away. Eurabian guilt over the Holocaust was short lived. They have centuries of anti-semitism. It is the leftist in the world today who are most guilty of it and supported by the Arab world, their media and leadership. The Arab world today is what Germany was like in the 30s and thats a shame, but its true. Shame on Gideon Levy for writing propaganda and leaving out the important facts.

For anyone to compare the demoniacal torture and genocide of the Holocaust with the Israeli treatment of Gaza is sheer evil. It is evil because it is palpably false, and Gideon Levy knows it is false. It is evil because it is an injustice to millions and millions of Jews who were tormented and murdered by the nazi demons - and Gideon Levy knows it is an injustice. But he apparently has lost his final remnants of soul and intellectual honesty. So he, like hitler, spreads another Big Lie about the evil Jews that goes around the world like a plague. Gideon Levy, I'm sorry to say, is beneath contempt.

Most of my family was killed in the Holocaust. My parents were lucky survivors of this great atrocity. Personally I am very gratified that Israel and its ministers have made all these speeches throughout Europe to mark the 65th year of the liberation Auschwitz where my grandmother was murdered. I am personally saddened that Mr.Levy views this as a ploy by the Israeli government. I wish he could open his heart and see that this really is an important occasion that deserves this type of response from Israel.

Another excellent presentation of the truth by Gideon Levy. I too find it rather obscene when Israeli politicians demean the Holocaust and its victims for political purposes. If the concerted effort of Netanyahu, Peres and Lieberman was intended to influence the member states of the UN General Assembly regarding the Goldstone report, then perhaps they should have stayed at home.

So anti-Semitism just reared its head into the world in the past year?? While it's clear anti-Semitism is growing, it is already rampant throughout the world, and has been for many years. The fact is that many anti-Israel and specifically muslim leaders/countries (cough, cough: Iran) use the denial of the Holocaust as a piece of propaganda which delegitimizes the idea of a Jewish homeland in Israel. Those leaders also continue to incite religious war and the destruction of Israel, Jews, and those who support her. While you may call for the end of the Israeli blockade in Gaza (ignoring that Egyptian border) and an end of the "occupation", you ignore that virtually every freedom or autonomy that Israel has given to the Palestinians has been abused and resulted in violent attacks on Israel and its citizens. What you call "institutionalized xenophobia" is the result of the continual violent action and rhetoric directed at Israel by its neighbors and enemies.

Amen Gideon! I pray that your fellow Israelis & the Jewish people in general are gentle in their response to your courageous words. Bless you & may people on both sides hear this message. As a Lebanese man with a Jewish wife I have deep insight into both sides of the Jew-Arab conflict & pray that one day (soon!) our destructive right-wing leaders will either be with ones willing to find a peaceful and equitable resolution. Ultimately we are all one & there can only be one highest truth - a truth that beneath all our prejudices & indoctrinations ultimately unites us at our core. I pray that the day comes soon where we uncover that truth & live in PEACE. 1Love

I wish American journalists (who are supposed to be unbiased) were as honest about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as Levy. Thank you for the great article.

All points taken. If parallels, false and otherwise, are on the table, in 1933 Jewish hands were downright surgery-clean. Applying the "clean hands" criteria to the absence or presence of anti-Semitism throughout history might yield a groundbreaking study! And, in keeping with the studious national character, one might research what the ratio of the "clean-hands coefficient" to "loss of Jewish life coefficient" will be in 2010 and beyond, based on the data from the aforementioned historical study.

Shame on you Gideon Levy. The world has spoken with silence and complacency when my people were being exterminated in Europe. Putting Goldstone and Holocaust on the same sentence can only come from a self hating Jew. You?re NOT going to be more accepted by ?the world? by denigrating your own people, quite the opposite, denigrating your own people only causes the opposite effect...try again

Your artical is trying to say there's a big grey area concerning evil. I'm not quite sure you understand what evil is. Don't be so naive.

The questions Mr Levy is raising are worth asking. While it is true that the State of Israel is directly linked to the tragic history of refugees from the Holocaust, it gets muddled with the moral issue of the treatment of Palestinians. Earlier victims making later victims is a sad but typical signature of human history, which is replete with the perpetuation of abuse. To reach maturity, a society has to be rid of notions of revenge for the past suffering, and focus on the vision of its future. The Israeli and Palestinian children will benefit only from that.

Thanks for this timely reminder to Israel's leaders that some critical self examination is long overdue. But I am propably too naive in thinking that. It is more likely that Israeli politicians are quite aware of what is going on and are engaged in cynical political calculations. It is embarassing to see the abuse of the memory of those who died in the Holocaust for political gain. That is why people will not shut up about what Israel has done and is still doing to Gaza and the Westbank.

very well said mr levy , i could not have said it better myself and i am a palestinian

en masse of millions of people to the orchestrated media theater of Hamas, who threw rockets wanting to continue the work of the Mufti Husseni who gave Hitler the Idea to kill Jews.The propaganda is from the Pals media theater. I tell you gideon comparing the burning of Jewish children in gas chambers like sobihor camp and Israel reponding to rocket fire on its citizen forcing its hand doesn't make sense to me and soon it won't make sense to the world. I was hoping you gideon would see the light as to what radical political Islam thru Hamas was trying to do to Israel.Let me remind you Hamas kills more Pals than anyone. I had hoped you'd wake up but comparing the holocaust to this Gaza spectacle caused by the Pal leadership has made me lose faith that you have the ability to wake up.

If "Israel had taken the time to examine itself, look inward and ask, for example, how it is that anti-Semitism has reared its head in the world precisely in the past year, the year after we dropped white-phosphorous bombs on Gaza." Truer words have never been spoken. If being against what Israel has done, and continues to do, in Gaza, Jerusalem and the West Bank is being anti-semitic, then I must be anti-semitic.

Gideon Levy will be burnt again for this article but one thing is for sure, he writes the truth whether you like it or not. His articles reflect his vision the way he see and understand them without any outside pressure. Regards,

I would like to say that this particular article sums up my own, and many others views regarding the Israeli Government's policies and propaganda. I congratulate the author for a brilliantly raw and hoenst piece of jorunalism.

I came across this article from Google News, clicked on it, expecting a newspaper supporting Israeli action's in operation cast lead or the occupation, but I was surprised to read an impartial review of the current situation. I am neither a Muslim nor a Jew, but someone just interested in reading about how this situation in Middle east would unfold on a day-to-day basis. kudos to author.

Congratulations to Mr. Gordon Levy for such an insightful and courageous article regarding the state of affairs in Israel. The impact of the prime ministers comments (immagration,etc}will only add more fuel to the already volatile situation in the mideast. How can the PM possibly expound about the evil in this world and conveniently deny the Gaza war and its terrible aftermath for so many innocent people?

want no part of any "peace", accommodation, living together singing Cumbaya, or other euphemism for the outright destruction of your little patch, unless it is under the Ummah, will use this little missive? Just what do you suggest should be done with Gaza so that you can all live together so lovingly? Exchange flour for rockets. Don't forget that if those potential islamist friends had there mitts on better ordinance, you also wouldn't be arguing how "disproportionate" those loses were. There used to be a much more open border; it was before the rockets, remember?

Always a pleasure to read one of the few Israelis who hasn't been rendered brain dead by nationalism and racism. Amen for you.

You know just like me that the aim of the Gaza blockade is to weaken Hamas. True, that also regular civilians suffer because of that. However, you cannot expect from Israel to encourage its own destruction, as Israel's destruction is pledged by Hamas. And why to blame only Israel? Gaza borders to Egypt as well.

Mr. Levy, You are truly a remarkable spirit - if the world had more people like you, it would certainly be a better place. Thank you for writing and thank you, Ha'aretz, for publishing.

We cannot get away with it any longer - being history's victims and using that as a justification to be oppressors. When we hold up the holocaust as that justification we cheapen it and the victims of it and their memories as well as the suffering of the survivors and what they really represent. It is time we matured at being a nation.