Letters, July 30, 2010

We are far from the last chance for peace

PEACE between Israel and the Palestinians as envisaged and, indeed, demanded by Ehud Ya’ari (AJN 23/07) is realistically possible, not so much in accordance with the impatience or some other arrangements on the Israeli journalist’s personal diary, but on extremely well-known fundamentals Palestinians must comply with.

Most important, Israel’s security does not rely on verbal assurances, or even written ones, given by a Palestinian Authority which, in fact, has no authority over the main obstacle for peace, Hamas.

Also, considering that the destructive Hamas stance is only slightly more acute than Fatah’s traditional anti-Zionist ideology, Mahmoud Abbas is hardly the last chance for peace. Formal negotiations are not an imminent step. Palestinians and all concerned know extremely well where Israel stands, what are the exact preconditions for a real peace. And the time is not ripe until Palestinians can sincerely accept and peacefully live alongside Jews — and that means Jews among them, in the settlements.

Otto Waldmann

Bondi Junction, NSW

Turning down the pressure on Israel

I READ with great interest the article and analysis regarding [US President] Barack Obama speaking to the Israeli people (AJN 15/07).

In my opinion, if Obama really wants to promote peace in the Middle East, the best thing he can do is to not put pressure on Israel to make further concessions before talks restart. This is counterproductive, as the Palestinians will keep on waiting for better offers and Israel will harden its position and refuse to offer them better terms. Letting both parties talk freely will eventually achieve some measure of understanding, provided Hamas does not resume terror attacks.

David Guilbert Rozenman

Turramurra, NSW

Dancing on the graves of the Nazis

I DON’T for one moment feel that Mr [Adolek] Kohn or Ms [Jane] Korman are dancing on the graves of Holocaust martyrs. (AJN 16/07)

I lost both my parents as a direct result of the Holocaust and was raised from the age of three by an aunt — also a Holocaust survivor. She told me time and time again as I was growing up that what kept her alive in the camps was the fervent hope that she would survive Hitler for only one day just so that she could dance in celebration.

If there is any dancing on graves at question here, I take it to be Hitler’s grave and those of his demonic minions. As for taking place at Auschwitz — Hitler created Auschwitz and I take Korman’s decision to perform there as a statement saying: “What better place to celebrate a survival than at the very spot where annihilation was planned?” To paraphrase the old adage, “They tried to wipe out all Jewry. They failed. Let’s dance!”

No Holocaust survivor should feel any obligation to apologise for how or where he or she expresses feelings of elation over survival or grief over loss of loved ones

If Mr Kohn —who went through the hell that for most people alive today is known only through history and documentation and for an unfortunately growing number of people a fiction story to be denied — wishes to celebrate his survival of Hitler through dance then so be it.

If Ms Korman — who is an artist and expresses her emotions and feelings through any medium she deems suitable — wishes to create a tableau which gives the opportunity for a survivor of the Holocaust to express his ¬†joy in survival together with three generations of his family, then so be it.

May Mr Kohn be spared to dance until 120 years. And may Ms Korman continue to create  her art right along with him.

Sam Laser

Caulfield North, Vic

Crossing the line

ALTHOUGH I am not a student of Avril Alba, much to my regret, I would still like to answer the questions she posed in her excellently written article “Desecration or Celebration” (AJN 23/07).

In my opinion the “line” that can’t be crossed in regards to the Holocaust is remembrance and dignified commemoration. And it should be drawn by survivors, as we are the only ones that understand and feel the pain. As we are disappearing from the world, further messages of tolerance and teaching should be done by historians.

The obscene video of dancing in the Auschwitz — our greatest cemetery — is in my opinion a desecration and offensive. There are other ways of expressing one’s survival.

I myself have never celebrated my survival with such a great “hurray”. The deep pain in my heart, caused by the murder of my entire family — and I mean entire — prevented me from doing so.

However, I understand that it takes all kinds to make this world. Different people have different emotions and react differently.

I do not question the Korman family in their intentions to advertise so wildly Mr Kohn’s survival. But I passionately object to the venue, the largest and most tragic cemetery of Jewish ashes.

I can not, I will not, I dare not condone it.

Helen Leperere

Elsternwick, Vic

Welcoming Chabad’s new centre

I WOULD like to congratulate Chabad House of the North Shore for its recent building acquisition in St Ives, planned for a new North Shore Jewish community centre (AJN 23/07). Chabad does an enormous amount of excellent educational and humanitarian work within our community.

I commend them on their vision to further their activities and provide benefits for both the local Jewish community and the North Shore community in general. I will continue to support their good work.

Jonathan O’Dea

Member for Davidson

NSW Parliament

Are our campuses hotbeds of hate?

TWO weeks ago, I attended an excellent panel on anti-Semitism organised by Michrachi Bet Haroeh. One of the speakers, Joel Burnie, painted Australian universities as rampant hotbeds of anti-Zionist and anti-Semitic activity, a charge I refute.

I am sure there are students and lecturers who harbour and even preach anti-Jewish attitudes, but to suggest that universities are uniformly left wing and anti-Jewish is inaccurate and dangerous. The vast majority of courses (for example, science, engineering and medicine) don’t even provide an opportunity for an academic to talk about such matters. Moreover, universities are microcosms of the community at large, and reflect the attitudes found in the general community. There have probably been more anti-Jewish protests and incidents outside our campuses than within. Notably, our universities are where many future politicians cut their teeth, from both ends of politics. Debate and discussion are part of a healthy university experience.

I would argue that we are actually blessed with a university system that has been extremely pro-Jewish and pro-Zionist. My own university, Monash University, boasts an outstanding range of interactions with both the local Jewish community and Israel. Our vice-chancellor recently returned from an Israel study tour and reported back to the academic board in most glowing terms. Interestingly, the delegation was in Israel at the time of the flotilla, and one might have expected some negative feedback from the audience. However, there was not a squeak.

Monash University has one of the most vibrant Jewish civilisation centres in Australia, offering Jewish subjects to a wide range of students (both Jewish and non-Jewish). Limmud Oz was recently hosted at our Caulfield campus, during the normal working week, again, without incident. Hardly a bastion of anti-Semitism.

In a recent letter to The AJN, Michael Burd criticised Jewish academics for not being more vocal in support of Israel. Most Jewish academics that I know engage in hasbara quietly, and don’t need to appear in the newspaper every few days to get their message across. I have had intelligent discussions with many colleagues and graduate students, putting the case for Israel in response to their questions and concerns. I have often been able to present the other side of the story quite effectively, without grandstanding. A colleague of mine placed two of his overseas students together in a shared office — one was Palestinian and the other Israeli. What developed was a lasting friendship built on mutual respect and understanding.

Sometimes, less is more. However, I do agree with Mr Burnie that there is an urgent need for the student body to be more assertive of Jewish and Israeli interests when they are challenged. This needs to come from our schools and from our Shabbat tables. Attacking the university sector as a whole will achieve little.

Professor David Abramson

Monash University, Vic