Schlaglicht Israel Nr. 06/10 Aktuelles aus israelischen Tageszeitungen 23. März – 19. April 2010 1. Shoa-Gedenktag In Israel wird jedes Jahr am 27. Nisan(dieses Jahr der 13. April) der Opfer des Holocausts mit einer Schweigeminute und Gedenkveranstaltungen ge­dacht. Dem Yom HaShoa schließen sich in der darauffolgenden Woche der Gedenktag für gefallene Soldaten und Terroropfer sowie der Unabhängig­keitstag an. In seiner Rede zum diesjährigen Gedenktag warnte Premierminister Netanyahu vor den nuklearen Am­bitionen des Irans und der Untätigkeit der westlichen Staaten angesichts dieser Bedrohung für Israel. There is no explanation “Time and again[…] I discover that I have difficulty understanding what happened and why it had happened. To this very day, it seems to me that I’m talking about things that could not have taken place in reality, even though I know that they indeed took place, and that I experienced them personally.[…] There is no explanation, and this will forever remain a mystery.[…] We lost six million Jews, who fell victim to this wildness, which cannot be explained.” Noah Klieger, JED 12.04.10 The flak jacket’s cracked “It's true that it was not the 6 million victims who established the state, but they have supplied it with a flak jacket over the years.[…] The 6 million were the reason for the UN General Assembly's partition resolution of November 1947.[…] It was only the onerous guilt feelings of the nations of the world[…] that tipped the scales.[…] But[…] sixty-five years after the horrors of the Holocaust became clear, more and more voices in Europe say to Israel: No more. Guilt feelings as well have their limits. From now on we'll treat you like a normal country. You will be judged by your deeds, for better or worse.[…] In other words, time is working against us. Support for Israel and for bolstering the power of the IDF can no longer be taken for granted. The world's guilt feelings are gradually becoming dulled, making it possible for the global criticism of the occupation of Palestinian territories to strengthen.[…] We must reach an agreement that will get us out of those territories and make Israel a moral and just country once again. This is because the Holocaust flak jacket won't last forever.” Nehemia Shtrasler, HAA 13.04.10 Victimhood forever day “The paper’s Monday edition for Holocaust Remembrance Day showed in typically lurid fashion that what Israelis want to be told is that they are eternal victims.[…] Actually, I agree with the idea of setting aside an annual day to remember the Holocaust and its victims and survivors.[…] I don’t want it to be forgotten. It’s when I see the political uses the Holocaust is put to on that day – not only on that day, of course, but especially on that day – that I think I’m living in an insane asylum. From listening to the speeches and the media, you wouldn’t know that Jews are no longer running from anti-Semitism anywhere on earth.[…] Neither would you know that Israel is stronger than all its enemies put together and multiplied many times over.[…] Why do we still insist on seeing ourselves as the Jews of 1930s Europe[…]?[…] 1) Because when your back is to the wall, you have no doubts, no indecision, no stress – it really is fight or die, and 2) When your back is to the wall, you don’t have to restrain yourself, and nobody can tell you to. This is the political meaning of Holocaust Remembrance Day. It’s a day for rousing the nation with the liberating power of victimhood.” Larry Derfner, JPO 14.04.10 Beyond human tragedies “The Holocaust was a signal, but did we receive it? […] Who can say what is the destiny of the State of Israel?[…] The only possible victory for all parties in 1