Dear *******,
****** told me you were very upset about the use of Jewish star armbands or patches by the supporters of the Jews living in Gaza. I am glad that the decision was made to stop using that symbol, because it caused so much pain. But if you think it will help, I can try to explain why thoughtful and well-meaning people considered it an appropriate symbol to use.
I know you feel that Holocaust symbols should never be used lightly. I would argue, however, that no one did take it lightly. As I'm sure you know, the use of badges and distinctive clothing to single out Jews for "special treatment" by the government dates back to at least the 13th century, and it has been used periodically throughout Europe. As a symbol, it has an important function: to point out clearly that this is the first time since the war that Jews, and only Jews, are being selectively punished with deportation for no other crime than being Jewish in a place they aren't wanted.
It does not, by the way, put our government or our IDF in the place of Nazis, G-d forbid. A more accurate analogy would be to the Jewish community leaders who helped organize the ghettoes for the Nazis because they felt powerless to stop them, and hoped that by cooperation they could gain a little leniency for themselves and their communities. It was a case of "give them what they want and maybe they will leave us alone." As the ghettoes were being formed, no one knew or thought it was a prelude to mass murder. But they believed they were overpowered and had no choice but to appease the oppressor.
However, as the Jews were crowded into smaller areas, it made the accomplishment of deportation and mass murder much easier to carry out. Which is why the 1949 armistice lines have been called "Auschwitz borders". It is a measure of our fear that the world is trying to force us back to borders that will be indefensible, and it doesn't concern them that such withdrawals will make it easier for the Arabs to carry out their plans of destroying Israel and killing all the Jews.
In terms of mind set, another analogy might be made. In the pre-Holocaust years, Jews who felt somewhat endangered tended to console themselves with wishful thinking: "It can't get worse. The Nazis don't mean what they say. They can't possibly hurt all of us. It is illogical to destroy Jewish workers. This time of persecution is like temporary insanity; it will get better again like the other times." I am very afraid that the same type of wishful thinking is guiding our government and some of our population. As in the Oslo years, people opine: "It can't get worse. Abu Mazen and all the rest don't really mean what they say about the terror war. It is illogical for the Arabs to hate us so much that they will destroy their economy and their chances for a compromise. The US won't let the Arabs destroy Israel." And the clincher -- "We can't do anything else, because the (US, UN, EU, Arab states -- take your pick) won't let us."
Think about the slogan "Never Again". It means that the world and Jews should not forget what happened in the Holocaust. But why? So that it should never happen again. That goal forces us to be willing to use Holocaust terms and imagery judiciously, for the sake of clarifying issues, strengthening our resolve and attempting to prevent the next Holocaust. It would be a terrible travesty if our fear of causing additional pain to survivors of the last Holocaust kept us from effectively mobilizing to prevent the one the Arabs are vigorously trying to bring about.
I hope this helps to lesson your feelings of pain and sacrilege. I think it is a praiseworthy thing that our leaders were concerned enough about the sensitivities of other Jews to stop using the star symbol. But I would ask you to consider, under what circumstances would you consider reference to the Holocaust to be appropriate?
****** told me you were very upset about the use of Jewish star armbands or patches by the supporters of the Jews living in Gaza. I am glad that the decision was made to stop using that symbol, because it caused so much pain. But if you think it will help, I can try to explain why thoughtful and well-meaning people considered it an appropriate symbol to use.
I know you feel that Holocaust symbols should never be used lightly. I would argue, however, that no one did take it lightly. As I'm sure you know, the use of badges and distinctive clothing to single out Jews for "special treatment" by the government dates back to at least the 13th century, and it has been used periodically throughout Europe. As a symbol, it has an important function: to point out clearly that this is the first time since the war that Jews, and only Jews, are being selectively punished with deportation for no other crime than being Jewish in a place they aren't wanted.
It does not, by the way, put our government or our IDF in the place of Nazis, G-d forbid. A more accurate analogy would be to the Jewish community leaders who helped organize the ghettoes for the Nazis because they felt powerless to stop them, and hoped that by cooperation they could gain a little leniency for themselves and their communities. It was a case of "give them what they want and maybe they will leave us alone." As the ghettoes were being formed, no one knew or thought it was a prelude to mass murder. But they believed they were overpowered and had no choice but to appease the oppressor.
However, as the Jews were crowded into smaller areas, it made the accomplishment of deportation and mass murder much easier to carry out. Which is why the 1949 armistice lines have been called "Auschwitz borders". It is a measure of our fear that the world is trying to force us back to borders that will be indefensible, and it doesn't concern them that such withdrawals will make it easier for the Arabs to carry out their plans of destroying Israel and killing all the Jews.
In terms of mind set, another analogy might be made. In the pre-Holocaust years, Jews who felt somewhat endangered tended to console themselves with wishful thinking: "It can't get worse. The Nazis don't mean what they say. They can't possibly hurt all of us. It is illogical to destroy Jewish workers. This time of persecution is like temporary insanity; it will get better again like the other times." I am very afraid that the same type of wishful thinking is guiding our government and some of our population. As in the Oslo years, people opine: "It can't get worse. Abu Mazen and all the rest don't really mean what they say about the terror war. It is illogical for the Arabs to hate us so much that they will destroy their economy and their chances for a compromise. The US won't let the Arabs destroy Israel." And the clincher -- "We can't do anything else, because the (US, UN, EU, Arab states -- take your pick) won't let us."
Think about the slogan "Never Again". It means that the world and Jews should not forget what happened in the Holocaust. But why? So that it should never happen again. That goal forces us to be willing to use Holocaust terms and imagery judiciously, for the sake of clarifying issues, strengthening our resolve and attempting to prevent the next Holocaust. It would be a terrible travesty if our fear of causing additional pain to survivors of the last Holocaust kept us from effectively mobilizing to prevent the one the Arabs are vigorously trying to bring about.
I hope this helps to lesson your feelings of pain and sacrilege. I think it is a praiseworthy thing that our leaders were concerned enough about the sensitivities of other Jews to stop using the star symbol. But I would ask you to consider, under what circumstances would you consider reference to the Holocaust to be appropriate?