Armenian Issue Presents A Dilemma For U.S. Jews

[JMS]

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Armenian Issue Presents A Dilemma For U.S. Jews (Banerjee, NYT)

Friday, October 19, 2007

The New York Times

By Neela Banerjee

LEXINGTON, Mass., Oct. 17 - On the docket for the weekly selectmen's meeting here on Monday were the location of park benches, a liquor license for Vinny T's restaurant and, not for the first time, the killing of 1.5 million Armenians in Turkey 90 years ago.

The debate in this affluent Boston suburb, home to many Jews and Armenians, centered on a local program to increase awareness of bias. The issue was not the program itself, but its sponsor, the Anti-Defamation League, the Jewish advocacy group, which has taken a stand against a proposed Congressional resolution condemning the Armenians' deaths as genocide.

"If you deny one genocide," said Dr. Jack Nusan Porter, a child of Holocaust survivors and a genocide studies scholar who attended the meeting, "you deny all genocides."

The Congressional resolution has created an international furor and deeply offended the Turkish government, both a key ally of Israel's and a crucial logistics player for the American presence in Iraq. But as events in Boston suburbs in recent months have shown, it has also put American Jews in an anguished dilemma as they try to reconcile their support of Israel with their commitment to fighting genocide. In the end, the Board of Selectmen here voted unanimously to cut ties with the Anti-Defamation League, as did three other Boston suburbs this week. Three other towns had already done so, with more considering the option.

For many Jews, the issue has involved much soul-searching.

"It's hard to talk about it because there are two things or more in conflict here," said Rabbi David Lerner of Temple Emunah in Lexington. "Israel is in a very vulnerable position in the world, and Turkey is its only friend in the Middle East. Genocide is a burning issue for us, now and in the past. It's something of who we are."

The House resolution condemning the killings of Armenians as genocide is nonbinding and largely symbolic, but Turkey's reaction has been swift and furious. It has recalled its ambassador from Washington and threatened to withdraw critical logistical support for the Iraq war.

For Patrick Mehr, a Lexington resident who spoke at the meeting Monday, the overriding priority is condemning the killings, regardless of Turkey's response.

The next day at his home, Mr. Mehr, the son of a Holocaust survivor, voiced the anger many Jews and Armenians feel toward Abraham H. Foxman, the Anti-Defamation League's national director. "Abe Foxman, like George W. Bush, is mumbling that it may not have been genocide," Mr. Mehr said. "Foxman talks about commissions of scholars who should study this. That, to me, rang exactly like Ahmadinejad saying, 'Let's have a committee to study the Holocaust.' Give me a break."

Jewish leaders have long sought to focus attention on the killings of Armenians, starting with the American ambassador to Turkey in 1915, Henry Morgenthau Sr., who wrote in a cable that the Turkish violence against Armenians was "an effort to exterminate the race." Several members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee who voted for the resolution, including a key sponsor, Representative Adam B. Schiff, Democrat of California, are Jewish.

Several major Jewish groups, like the American Jewish Committee, oppose the resolution, arguing that it is not the best way to persuade the Turks to examine their past.

Mr. Foxman argues that Turkey is the only friend Israel has in the Muslim world, and it has been hospitable to Jews since giving them refuge after they were driven from Europe during the Inquisition.

"Israel's relationship with Turkey is the second most important, after its relationship with the United States," Mr. Foxman said. "All this in a world that isolates Israel, and all this can't simply be waved away."

Widespread attention to the Anti-Defamation League's opposition to the resolution came in July, when David Boyajian, an Armenian-American resident of Newton, Mass., wrote to a local newspaper saying that the town's anti-bigotry program, known as No Place for Hate, was tarnished because of its sponsorship by the Anti-Defamation League.

He wrote that the A.D.L. "has made the Holocaust and its denial key pieces" of the program, "while at the same time hypocritically working with Turkey to oppose recognition of the Armenian genocide of 1915-23."

The news shocked most local Jews, many of whom have long been active in campaigns against killings in Bosnia, Rwanda and, most recently, Sudan. By mid-August, Watertown, Mass., had decided to end its affiliation with the Anti-Defamation League's program. On Aug. 17, the board of the New England Anti-Defamation League passed a resolution calling for the national organization to recognize the Armenian genocide. Its regional director, Andrew Tarsy, was fired by the national group the next day.

The clampdown on the local chapter infuriated many Jews in the Boston area. Two members of the New England board resigned, although one has since returned, and many local leaders criticized Mr. Foxman. Newton, whose population is heavily Jewish, voted to sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League unless it changed its position on the resolution.

Mr. Foxman quickly rehired Mr. Tarsy and issued a statement intended to heal what he said were dangerous rifts in the Boston Jewish community at a time when Jewish unity was crucial. The statement did not support the House resolution. The killings of Armenians, Mr. Foxman wrote, were "tantamount to genocide."

He added, "If the word genocide had existed then, they would have called it genocide."

Some Jews praised Mr. Foxman, whose reappraisal, they said, was uncharacteristic. But other Jews and Armenians said he did not go far enough.

"It denies the intentionality of genocide," said Joey Kurtzman, executive editor of the online magazine Jewcy.com. Janet Tassel, a congregant at Temple Isaiah in Lexington, said she did not like Mr. Foxman but could not understand how Jews could be fighting over the word genocide when Israeli and American interests are at stake.

"If this resolution goes through, it's goodbye Charlie for Israel, for U.S. troops in Iraq," Ms. Tassel said. "It will lead to more anti-Semitism. I'm conflicted about what's right."

Dr. Porter, the genocide scholar, said the differing views among Jews on the resolution stemmed in part from whether they saw Israel as particularly vulnerable. "I see Israel as a strong nation," Dr. Porter said, after speaking for cutting ties to the Anti-Defamation League at the Lexington meeting. "Jews are strong. They don't have to be intimidated by politics."

The complex of considerations weighed heavily on Rabbi Howard L. Jaffe of Temple Isaiah, who after weeks of thought decided to back the genocide resolution. "It's very hard for me to support a position that could be detrimental to Israel," he said. "But for me as a Jew, I have to take seriously Jewish values, and they require us to do what is right and righteous."

At the Lexington meeting, nearly everyone praised the No Place for Hate program, which has worked with hundreds of residents in the past seven years.

Some Jewish residents pointed out that the local Anti-Defamation League chapter took a stand for the resolution and should not be punished for the national leadership's policy; but Vicki Blier, another member of Temple Isaiah, said in a phone interview that the Anti-Defamation League had to be held accountable for its views.

"If this were an organization that were denying the Holocaust, would they be allowed to do anything in town, even if what they are doing is the most beneficial of programs?" Ms. Blier said. "In my experience, Jews are at the forefront in the recognition of injustice. Jews have always stuck their neck out for others."

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[gbear]

Pathetic.

It was genocide. What this and most articles that I have read recently ignore is everything that happened to the Armenians at the end of the 19th century upto the first world war. Their towns were repeated sacked and women raped/men killed in an effort to change their racial characteristics.

It seems most of the current furror concentrates just on the time period after 1915. Conincidently, this is around the time the American ambassador started trying to stop it (bravo).

I just finished reading We Walked then Ran which is the story about an Armenian family's flight through the Ottoman Empire into Russia during their revolution and eventually into America. The book was written by the youngest girl in the family many many years later (she was a patient of my grandfather in law). It's amazing that the family was able to keep such positive spirits despite all of the barabrism around them. It's not just the physical. There was a some truely dreadful psycological warfare attack as well. (details spared for pg rated board).

Is it politically expedient to recognize it for what it is? Maybe not, but I kind of liken that to is it politically expediant to recognize evolution? Maybe not, but it still happens (bacteria and infections mutate). How we we feel being accused of genocide of the American Indians? I'd suggest we (as a nation not individuals) are guilty. The Armenian genocide is a sad history. To not recognize it is like saying we can make it go away if we just never talk about it. That approach has never worked for me.

[Prosperity]

The ADL is full of ****, but I doubt many Jews would follow their stance on this

[Tulane Skins Fan]

Germany doesn't get its panties in a bunch when people call the Holocaust genocide.

[SHANT]

Being an Armenian myself ( see handle my first name ) many people around the world have no idea what kind of joy this would bring to the Armenian population around the world. Armenia or Armenians aren't asking for money, land, sympathy gifts or cards, all we want is the US Govt. to recognize it as a Genocide which it was. I have heard stories like you wouldn't imagine that have effected millions of people, my great grandparents being orphaned, seing there own brothers, sisters, mothers and grand mothers being raped and killed infront of them at the young ages of 5 or 6, it's these memories and emotions that are passed down generation by generation that keep the Armenian people fighting for the resolution to pass, and it's the same memories and stories that will ensure me to pass down to my children, so they can continue the fight that will be won one day, I have one grandma left who is getting up there in age and only have a few years left is why we all pray for them to be around to see this resolution pass!

[DGreenistheBest]

I lived in Turkey a little while, nice country. They take a lot of pride in how they've changed their country, specifically how Attaturk brought them into the 20th century when he took power. Attaturk is practically worshipped there and you can actually get in a lot of trouble for publicly saying anything negative about him. Anyway, I'm only guessing, but I would imagine Turkey wants to focus on their current reputation of which they are proud and avoid bringing up their past in which there are several things they are not proud of, this being only one. It was obviously genocide but Turkey would probably rather no one remember that it happened which is why they are reacting the way they are.

[SHANT]

I lived in Turkey a little while, nice country. They take a lot of pride in how they've changed their country, specifically how Attaturk brought them into the 20th century when he took power. Attaturk is practically worshipped there and you can actually get in a lot of trouble for publicly saying anything negative about him. Anyway, I'm only guessing, but I would imagine Turkey wants to focus on their current reputation of which they are proud and avoid bringing up their past in which there are several things they are not proud of, this being only one. It was obviously genocide but Turkey would probably rather no one remember that it happened which is why they are reacting the way they are.

Point very well taken, but Turkey should realise that after all of these years the Armenians are NOT GOING TO GO AWAY WITH THIS, it's been over 90 years and we haven't forgotten nor will it be forgotten

[DGreenistheBest]

Point very well taken, but Turkey should realise that after all of these years the Armenians are NOT GOING TO GO AWAY WITH THIS, it's been over 90 years and we haven't forgotten nor will it be forgotten

Absolutely, they are being stubborn. I wasn't trying to justify their position by the way, just taking a guess at where they are coming from based on my very limited experience.

[SHANT]

Absolutely, they are being stubborn. I wasn't trying to justify their position by the way, just taking a guess at where they are coming from based on my very limited experience.

I know

Here is a great movie you guys should rent and watch, put out a few years ago by a famous Armenian director Atom Egoyan, the Turks made a big stink about this and tried to stop it from being produced, published and distributed but that didn't work either..

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0273435/

David Alpay, Erig Bogosian ( Under Seige ) , Christopher Plummer is also in it

[artmonkforHOF]

Is this a joke? The Jews want the genocide of Armenians to be noted and even make refrence to make note of all acts of genocide yet they completely ignore the countless attempts of Isreali jews to try and wipe out the Palastinians.

I guess they want all genocides to be noted, except the ones where they are doing the killing. Is it possible to be more hypocritical?

[DGreenistheBest]

Is this a joke? The Jews want the genocide of Armenians to be noted and even make refrence to make note of all acts of genocide yet they completely ignore the countless attempts of Isreali jews to try and wipe out the Palastinians.

I guess they want all genocides to be noted, except the ones where they are doing the killing. Is it possible to be more hypocritical?

Actually, its the Armenians that want the genocide to be noted, this article just happened to be discussing that story from the perspective of the Jews who are on the fence. And the Palenstinians do a good bit of wiping out themselves.

[rainmkr]

Why an official government statement means anything in this situation is beyond me. The open discussion of the history does much more to remind people of the crappy things that have happened. Rubbing Turkey's nose in it is pointless now, does anyone really blame any LIVING Turk for this policy? This is right up there with slave reparations, et al.

[SHANT]

Heres a famous quote from one of the greates writers ever......

I should like to see any power in this world destroy

this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose history

is ended, whose wars have been fought and lost, whose structures

have crumbled, whose literature is unread, whose music is unheard

and whose prayers are no more answered.

Go ahead, destroy Armenia, see if you can do it. Send them

from their homes into the desert, let them have neither bread nor

water. Burn their homes and churches. Then, see if they will not

laugh again, see if they will not sing and pray again. For, when

two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not

create a new Armenia.

William Saroyan

[SHANT]

Why an official government statement means anything in this situation is beyond me. The open discussion of the history does much more to remind people of the crappy things that have happened. Rubbing Turkey's nose in it is pointless now, does anyone really blame any LIVING Turk for this policy? This is right up there with slave reparations, et al.

So it should just go on not being recognized??

Let it go un-aknowledged?

[JMS]

I lived in Turkey a little while, nice country. They take a lot of pride in how they've changed their country, specifically how Attaturk brought them into the 20th century when he took power. Attaturk is practically worshipped there and you can actually get in a lot of trouble for publicly saying anything negative about him. Anyway, I'm only guessing, but I would imagine Turkey wants to focus on their current reputation of which they are proud and avoid bringing up their past in which there are several things they are not proud of, this being only one. It was obviously genocide but Turkey would probably rather no one remember that it happened which is why they are reacting the way they are.

You see the entire issue is two levels of indirection back. Turkey is applying to get into the EU and they have a very strong bid. Germany and France opose their entry on the grounds that their economy isn't advanced enough which isn't reasonable because Bulgaria was let in. But also on the grounds that they aren't European and don't share European values.

The entire genocide debate was brought up to give Turkey a black eye publicity wise to hurt their EU bid. Turkey has played right into it too. All Turkey had to do was to appoint a respected international achedemic council to study the situation and present their arguments to that body. After all didn't the genocide occur when the Otommans were still in power and before the secular state of Turkey was created?

Having said that, I had an Armenian math professor in College like 20 years ago. Dude brought up the Armenian genocide 10 minutes after I meet him. He made it a point to publisize this event to all his oblivious american students. I have no doubt that this is a very emotional issue to the Armenian people.

[DGreenistheBest]

After all didn't the genocide occur when the Otommans were still in power and before the secular state of Turkey was created?

Yep. That's what I don't get. It would be so easy to say, "that's not who we are anymore," and go from there either to apology or fact-based argument rather than just stubbornly threaten to stop being our ally.

[JMS]

Is this a joke? The Jews want the genocide of Armenians to be noted and even make refrence to make note of all acts of genocide yet they completely ignore the countless attempts of Isreali jews to try and wipe out the Palastinians.

I guess they want all genocides to be noted, except the ones where they are doing the killing. Is it possible to be more hypocritical?

I don't think there is anybody who is more critical of some Israeli policies on this board than myself. But that isn't what this story is about. This story is about American Jews dealing with real life political situations conflicting with heart felt core beliefs. Not a story about Israel's government policies. At least to my way of thinking.

[JMS]

Yep. That's what I don't get. It would be so easy to say, "that's not who we are anymore," and go from there either to apology or fact-based argument rather than just stubbornly threaten to stop being our ally.

Did you note that the IMF is reviewing their relationship with Turkey? The IMF ended talks in Turkey at renueing loans and are returning the Washington DC where talks will be continued on home playing feild.

Turkey values there Nato membership and their relationship with the US just as much as we value them. They aren't going to do anything, and are just shaking our cages. It would seem we are shaking back, too....

I think someone should talk a little sense into them and show them how to get out in front of this issue. They aren't going to get into the EU without learning how to deal with the troubled legacy of the Otomans.

[thehogs]

During his rise to power, Hitler was quoted as asking 'who now remembers the Armenians?', a massacre that had happened in his lifetime - a hint of what was to come for Jews across Europe.

Confronting your own past can be a positive thing. As some have said, its a way of saying that we have moved on from those days, that way of thinking and acting.

At the same time, the Turks are hinting at arming up and going in to northern Iraq for a fight with Kurdish rebels, so bringing up this kind of history is something they would probably want brushed over.