Arun Gandhi: Jews are Exploiting the Holocaust
Via Charles Johnson’s place comes this short op-ed written by Mahatma Gandhi’s grandson, Arun Gandhi. I agree with Charles that it seems to be filled with anti-Semitism, or at least anti-Israel sentiments, and that the WaPo should think twice before allowing Gandhi to write something for it again. Just read the first paragraph:
Jewish identity in the past has been locked into the holocaust experience — a German burden that the Jews have not been able to shed. It is a very good example of a community can overplay a historic experience to the point that it begins to repulse friends. The holocaust was the result of the warped mind of an individual who was able to influence his followers into doing something dreadful. But, it seems to me the Jews today not only want the Germans to feel guilty but the whole world must regret what happened to the Jews. The world did feel sorry for the episode but when an individual or a nation refuses to forgive and move on the regret turns into anger.
And then:
The Jewish identity in the future appears bleak. Any nation that remains anchored to the past is unable to move ahead and, especially a nation that believes its survival can only be ensured by weapons and bombs. In Tel Aviv in 2004 I had the opportunity to speak to some Members of Parliament and Peace activists all of whom argued that the wall and the military build-up was necessary to protect the nation and the people. In other words, I asked, you believe that you can create a snake pit — with many deadly snakes in it — and expect to live in the pit secure and alive? What do you mean? they countered. Well, with your superior weapons and armaments and your attitude towards your neighbors would it not be right to say that you are creating a snake pit? How can anyone live peacefully in such an atmosphere? Would it not be better to befriend those who hate you? Can you not reach out and share your technological advancement with your neighbors and build a relationship?
Apparently, in the modern world, so determined to live by the bomb, this is an alien concept. You don’t befriend anyone, you dominate them. We have created a culture of violence (Israel and the Jews are the biggest players) and that Culture of Violence is eventually going to destroy humanity.
Yes, you’re right my non-anti-Semitic friend: the Jews will destroy humanity. They’ve always tried to do that, haven’t they?
Giving a voice to people who hold different opinions is all fine and dandy, but perhaps American news outlets could make an exception for anti-Semites? I can’t see how drivel like this helps the debate.
LOL - Talk about finding anti-Semitism under every rock. The piece calls out Israels reliance on violence(bombs and military) and isn’t (IMO) anti-Semitic. While reading over the Gahndi piece did you read any other blog posts by AG? It would be like taking this one out of context and claiming Indians hate Christians.
It’s interesting to see him call the Palestinians "snakes."
And the entire world SHOULD regrent the Holocaust. And there is indeed guilt to go around to many places. Many people in many nations refused to believe the evidence of what the Nazis were doing until it was far, far too late. A very great many people let themselves be lulled into a belief that they should appease the Nazis in order to save their own skins. That was a deep moral flaw, one which played a significant role in allowing the Holocaust to continue.
Now, most of us reading this today were not alive at that time, and so have no need to feel any guilt about the actions of our parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents. But we must still regret the great evil which was done, and we must still seek to understand WHY it happened, so that we can stop any future attempts at genocide.
His article, his presumption that Israel "created a snake pit" omits crucial historical facts about the creation of the state of Israel and its initial efforts to buy land, not take it, until the Arabs began to object violently (and yes, it may well be more complicated than that, and there is an Arab perspective too, but my point is that Gandhi assumes the validity of the anti-Israeli perspective).
Has this man ever gone and preached his grandfather’s non-violence to the Palestinians? People love to make themselves self-important by criticizing the West, because they know that those in the West are extremely unlikely to react violently simply to words that they dislike. It’s safer to criticize the West, so it’s done more often.
PatHMV - Yes he did go to Israel/Palestine to preach non-violence. In 2004 he actualy tried to get 50,000 Palestinians to march on Israel.
To the LGF viral crowd and those who don’t follow up on smear campaigns, the AG piece wasn’t a WaPo op-ed, it is at a joint faith blog at Newsweek and the WaPo.
http://newsweek.washingtonpost.com/onfaith/2006/11/about_on_faith/comments.html
LOL - Does this mean that Jon Meacham is also anti-Semetic?
He actually said the Culture of Violence will destroy humanity.
And don’t you realize that by calling this guy anti-Semitic, you’re basically saying that non-violence is anti-Semitic?
Yes ChrisWWW AG and Jon Meachem have to be anti-Semetic.
Rudi, Don’t forget the raging anti-Semite Desmond Tutu who said this:
Yes Tutu must have won the Nobel Prize because of his hatred of Israel and J###. It’s amazing that men of peace and spirituality like Meachem,both Gandhis and Tutu are anti-Semitic. It is these absurd claims that weakens the argument for legitimate anti-Semitism.
"An exception can be made to ‘anti-semites’" Who said that Gandhi is an anti-semite? He condemned the Holocaust in the article. What he’s complaining about is the exploitation of the Holocaust by the supporters of the apartheid state of Israel.
Are you only for free speech when it suits your viewpoints?
Edited by MvdG: no neo-nazis allowed on this site.
Look ppl first of all. Take this in perspective.
1) for all the people who call him an anti-semite.. think what ur saying.
India is the biggest ally Israel has outside of the United States in the Eastern World.
Israel’s biggest arms market is India.
the only thing standing between turkey and pakistan is one billion indians.
the highest and most visited tourist destination of young Israeli nationals today is not Europe or the states, it is INDIA.
ISRAEL-INDIA are natural allies due to the nature of judaism and hinduism.
the israeli govt is taking its citizens for a ride.
its ridiculous that the young israleis who serve their mandatory army term, have to go all the way to northern indian to cool of and enjoy.
they cant do it in their own country and are not rich enough to go to the west.,
INDIA has always loved judaism and jewish people.
IT is the only place in the world for the last 2500 years continously been a place of refuge of JEWS. AND NEVER HAVE THEY BEEN DISCRIMINATED
even today.. the desecendants of the lost tribe of israel..
LIVES IN INDIA as indians.
indians love jews.
to criticize a man.. like arun gandhi.. for being anti-semtic is outrageous.
every indian growing up..loves israel then some israelis themselves.
REMEMMBER THAT MY JEWISH FRIENDS
SHALOM
To Rabbi India:
Yes, the Indian government has been a friend both to Jews (who were of great assistance to Arun’s grandfather and his good cause) and to Israel, however, that does not give every Indian a free pass.
Just as we in the USA are obligated to point out rank Jew-hatred, please understand that objections to Arun are in NO WAY an attack on India or on Mohandes Gandhi.
REMEMBER THAT, MY INDIAN FRIENDS.
PEACE
we love jews..
50,000 isralei youth vist India after their army duration.
to chill and relax..
We love them. We welcome them.
They are fringe elements in all societies. but this is a fact.. and an undeniable fact.
across the length and breadth of india..
almost 900 million young indians support ISRAEL … and i swear.. you will be shocked at the extreme pro israeli views in india.
ppl dont know about this..but the arab/muslim world better wake up… to it.. its not just the indian goverment.. which is warm to israel..
its the hearbeat of the indian youth.. which will wipe out the arab/muslim world if it dares to confront our ISraeli brothers.
A. Gandhi’s advocacy for a non-violent solution is admirable in principle. His problem is one he shares with many Mid-East commentators: his belief that the onus is entirely on Israel to make concessions and create peace.
Most members of the Arab league have a standing policy of non-recognition of Israel, and it has nothing to do with the country’s policies toward Arabs within its borders. (One would do well to note that a Palestinian living in the West Bank has more legal rights than a Syrian living in Syria.) Israel is a militant country, sometimes excessively so, but its militancy is a reaction to its surroundings, not the other way around.
The only comment that angers me is that Jews and Israel are the biggest players in the Culture of Violence. Does he mean only the Jews in Israel? Does he include Jews in France, Britain, India et al? Does he think Bush and Cheney are not purveyors of the Culture of Violence? Why make that comment if one is truly trying to promote cooperation with the Palestinians?
"its the hearbeat of the indian youth.. which will wipe out the arab/muslim world if it dares to confront our ISraeli brothers."
You delete a comment when it was "neo-nazi" but not the above, which talks of wiping out the arab/muslim world. I dont need more proof that you are in fact, a fanatic.