August 28, 2007
Israel Office
SHATIL
Message From Larry Garber
The post-Holocaust and universal values of Diaspora Jews were challenged this summer by historical and contemporary genocides. Hopefully, the negative reaction to those who seek to deny public recognition of the Armenian genocide, and to ignore the human consequences of today's Darfur genocide will remind the Diaspora Jewish establishment that the vast majority of Jews want their political voice to be infused with moral content.
The Armenian issue should be a no-brainer. For years, Armenian organizations have sought adoption of a congressional resolution acknowledging the tragic events of 1915-1923, when as many as 1.5 million Armenians were killed, tortured and exiled by the Turkish Government. Even though the term "genocide" was not formulated until after the Holocaust, historians characterize the Turkish policy towards the Armenian as the first genocide of the 20th century.
For months, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) advocated against a congressional resolution, arguing that such matters are best left to historians, not legislators. The ADL position was influenced by concerns about the security of Turkey's small Jewish population and the possibility of compromising the strong existing ties between Turkey and Israel. However, after the rift between the national ADL and the regional ADL office in Boston threatened to split the organization, the national ADL reversed course.
Jews should be the first to appreciate the importance of public recognition of historic memory. Jewish organizations have been at the forefront in advocating for public investment in the national Holocaust Museum in Washington, and for the teaching of the Holocaust in public education curricula.
While we should care about the fate of Turkey's Jewish population and should applaud Turkey's willingness to maintain a constructive relationship with Israel, we should also encourage Turkey to face its history. Just as Germans will always have to deal with the reality that the Holocaust was a consequence of German government policies, and just as we Americans should confront more openly our shameful experience with slavery and the destruction of Native American populations, so Turkey should not deny those tragic periods of history when evil acts were performed in the name of the Turkish people.
The Darfur genocide is happening before our eyes. During the past several months, as the flow of refugees from Darfur have begun crossing in larger numbers from Egypt into Israel, the Israeli response to the on-going genocide has become a matter of political debate and public attention within Israel.
The New Israel Fund family of organizations has been at the forefront of providing legal and other assistance to refugees from Darfur who make their way to Israel. These same organizations have also advocated for the adoption of a refugee policy consistent with Israel's international law obligations and post-Holocaust consciousness. Thus, we were disappointed with the Government's policy announcement last week, which limits to 500 the number of Darfuris who will be given official refugee status in Israel. The policy also authorizes the deportation from Israel to Egypt of others fleeing the violence in Sudan, per an apparent agreement with the Egyptian Government not to mistreat the deportees and not to return them to Sudan under existing conditions.
At the same time, we appreciate that, despite the legal and moral issues raised by the Israeli government policy, the Darfur genocide and the consequent flow of refugees is the responsibility of the international community. And, while Israeli organizations understandably focus attention on their government's policy, Diaspora Jews must redouble efforts to encourage a pro-active policy that brings an immediate halt to the genocide and responds to the growing number of Sudanese refugees.
The interests and policy considerations of the Israeli government and Diaspora Jewish organizations may not be identical with respect to recognition of the Armenian genocide or responding to the Darfur refugee crisis. Nonetheless, as an organization representing a partnership that stands firmly both in Israel and the Diaspora, NIF will continue to advocate for governmental and organizational policies that reflect Jewish values and Jewish history, and that do not ignore difficult historical or contemporary truths.
In this week's NIF News, we report on a major victory for the NIF family in the mixed Jewish-Arab city of Ramle, where public transportation has finally been introduced in two large Arab neighborhoods. We also feature the economic empowerment programs for Bedouin women in the Negev town of Lagiya. SHATIL reports on a meeting with Minister of Social Welfare, Isaac Herzog, who pledged his full backing of SHATIL's recommendations to promote the opportunities of women in micro-enterprises. |
