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Howard Linett
Nations of the World Turn a Blind Eye to the Next Holocaust
April 13, 2010
April 12th was Holocaust Rememberance Day. I know that unless you have spent
several Holocaust Remembrance Days in Israel, you cannot understand the profound
meaning this day expresses for Israelis.
I fear that for the overwhelming majority of American Jewry the Holocaust is
today nothing more than a footnote in history. It has no personal meaning for
those now two and three generations removed from the Holocaust. Their
grandfathers, perhaps great grandfathers, Jewish soldiers who returned from
WWII, are gone. Their living link with history forgotten.
My father returned from WWII, and together with the other local Jewish veterans
of the US Military, started the Lubin, Linett, Steinman Post of the Jewish War
Veterans. The Post was named for those from "the Valley” who did not return. Its
purpose was to serve as a living reminder. I remember my Dad saying, "No one
should ever have to ask, Where were the Jews during the war?"
The members of this JWV Post immediately began collecting firearms and
ammunition which they delivered to the New Haven and New York City docks.
Friendly stevedores and US Customs agents made sure the "machine parts" received
from the members of "Lifeline to Palestine" ended up on freighters sailing to
the new State of Israel.
Israel is populated with Holocaust survivors, their children, grandchildren and
great grandchildren. Israel is also populated with those who lost relatives and
friends in the Holocaust, for many, their entire family, entire community.
In Israel the Holocaust remains a living nightmare. The words, "Never Again,"
are as solemn as is, "Amen." Both are spoken with the same devotion, dedication
and resolution.
The Director of the Mossad, Israel’s CIA, has on his desk the photograph of a
man on his knees in front of Nazi soldiers. "That is my grandfather, before he
was murdered. I see this picture every day and promise that this won’t happen
again."
Israelis believe they are facing another Holocaust. Both Israeli President Peres
and Prime Minister Netanyahu said as much last night in their Holocaust
Commemoration Addresses to the Israeli people and the nations of the world. Both
Israeli leaders also clearly stated that the nations of the world are doing
nothing more to stop Iran’s nuclear bomb ambition, than they did to stop the
Nazi’s Final Solution.
But today there is an Israel. A country with a living memory. Israel will not
meekly wait for the nations of the world to do something, until Iranian atomic
bombs hit Tel Aviv, Haifa and Beer Sheva. Israel will not go meekly, quietly
into the night.
Never Again. Amen. |
