Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Only Jews Can Suffer Genocide

In a related story to Israel deporting refugees from Darfur, the Anti Defamation League fired its New England regional director. Why? He insisted that the ADL recognize that Turkey committed genocide against the Armenians in 1915. This is an obvious fact, yet the ADL does not want to admit it because it could hurt Israeli-Turkish relations.

This is sad on so many levels. It's insane that a Jewish human rights organization in the United States would take stands based upon what they perceive to be Israel's policy interests. It's depressing that so many wonderful Jewish people, both in Israel and the US, have their voices suppressed when they publicize the obvious connections between the Jewish experience and that of other oppressed minorities. And it's unconscionable that the ADL would deny that Turkey committed genocide. It's really hard to respect the ADL at this point.

Really terrible stuff. But not surprising in the least.

Via Rob