Jewish Scene
Tourists apologize for Jewish suffering
Moshe Heller
Published: 04.07.13, 13:40
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23 Talkbacks for this article
1. Ironic that Asians are apologizing for European crimes
Menachem ,   Israel   (07.04.13)
2. I have got to know a family of South Korea.
olim hadashim ,   tel aviv/israel   (07.04.13)
Simply fantastic people.There are more problems in Israel concerning the jewish aspect.Import of non-jewish people under the guise of Law of Return and conversions , expulsion of the jewish people from their homes , concentration of the power in the hands of a small assimilionist elite,
3. Korean goodwill will not wash away Europe's guilt
Tahl   (07.04.13)
This gesture is beautiful and moving. However it would be much more appropriate to see gentiles from traditionally antisemitic countries like Germany, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Lithuania, Latvia, Croatia and Hungary making such an apology. Unlike the Koreans, their ancestors have the blood of six million Jews on their hands.
4. Korean Rivkah ;) ,...
split ,   US   (07.04.13)
5. How can Yad L'achim be "familiar with such gestures" when ..
Raymond in DC ,   Washington, USA   (07.04.13)
... this appears to be an impromptu act of remorse by righteous Gentiles? South Koreans have come to respect the Jewish people, with a number of them studying Bible at Hebrew University, others attempting to understand Jewish "genius" from collections of Talmudic excerpts. Was their *anything* in the flyer to suggest this was part of an effort to convert Jews? If not, Yad L'achim should have just said "We appreciate the sentiment" and left them alone.
6. leave the Koreans alone
alsky ,   Toronto   (07.04.13)
most are good people and the ones I know are also very pro-Israel ! Good enough for me.
7. not really Christians, more the Europeans
k ,   US   (07.04.13)
While Christianity was the backbone in alot of what the Europeans did, I am sure the Europeans real motivation is their racism
8. TO: #5 and #6
Oleh Chadash ,   Y'layim, IL   (07.04.13)
A beautiful gesture but Yad le'Achim DEFINITELY knows what they're talking about. For decades they're totally committed in fighting our spiritual enemies. S. Korea is one of the number 3 countries in sending missionaries throughout the world, pretty dangerous!!
9. #4 Was that an attempt at "humor", Kowalsky,
A ,   Belgium   (07.04.13)
or just another of your typical polakius ignoramius comments.
10. Korean Christians are a young culture
sean green ,   Pasadena, usa   (07.04.13)
Korea was majority Buddhist until recently. The faith took off so much they are now Christian majority. They send out more missionaries than America. I live near a Korean church. They fiercely maintain their old culture but also are devoutly Christian in a manner that is distinctly non-european. It's fascinating like Ethiopian orthodoxy. Their apologetic culture may make making amends more common than among whites. Their Confucian philosophy elevating knowledge above everything means you may see one or two in synagogue trying to learn Hebrew to further their knowledge of scripture. I think it's great for both faiths.
11. #4 split = Polish Adolf Hitler & Polish Satan
(07.04.13)
12. #8 So what's so difficult in saying
A ,   Belgium   (07.04.13)
no, thank you. At least they aren't dedicated to wiping out everyting related to Judaism as islam is. Even MORE dangerous!
13. Raid? Are you sure that you...
Gideon Reader   (07.04.13)
...have selected the correct line of endeavor as a means by which you intend to feed yourself? Raid is hardly the proper descriptor for what Koreans (not just Koreans who happen to be christian, do) express their deepest emotive urges. Spend some time with Koreans and you will find some unique cultural and personal impressions. Best of friends and worst of enemies. I have no doubt that the "Raiders" are/were sincere in their expressions. Hmmm. Maybe they were from Oakland.
14. It's their massive chutzpah
moriah ,   sacramento   (07.05.13)
to think they can ask forgiveness for someone elses crime ...
15. #11 Please don't compare Kowalsky with Hitler and Satan,
A ,   Belgium   (07.04.13)
you're just further inflating his "polaker than thou" ego.
16. No need to apologize
Brod ,   USA   (07.06.13)
The atrocities during the Dark Ages and Holocaust were committed by Papism-the inventor of Anti-Semitism. Jews and Judeo-Christians were ravaged and persecuted by Papists during the 1260 years reign of terror called Dark Ages that started in 538 AD. Papism is Paganism. They worship rosary, dead people, relics, idols,...just as other Pagans do. The Papacy tries to play god on earth by changing GOD'S Ten Commandments and changing GOD'S Day of worship- Seventh day Sabbath to Sunday-in honor of their Sun god. The young Korean Judeo-Christians need not apologize.
17. Right wing Jews
Rich ,   Las Vegas   (07.06.13)
There are unfortunately a lot of mean intolerant Orthodox Jews who discriminate against other Jews who are not like them. These jerks think that they rule Israel, and nothing makes Israel look worse than when these fools riot and start crap. Throw them in jail already before they become the Jewish Taliban
18. Korean Apology
NYC Girl   (07.06.13)
Why can't we just accept the fact that these Korean Christians were moved by what they saw at Yad Vashem, and wanted to express their profound regret over what was done to the Jews of Europe....even though they, themselves, had nothing to do with the Holocaust. Let's not look for ulterior motives such as a desire to proselytize and convert Jews and just accept their apology for the humanitarian gesture it appears to have been.
19. #18 - Very well said!!
Carl ,   USA   (07.07.13)
And this Binyamin guy gives Vulcans thoughout the entire Federation of Planets a bad name. Spock would not approve of his illogical response.
20. Prove it: reject Muslims as Palestinians & a 3-state demand.
BUTSeriously ,   Sydney   (07.07.13)
Both of those premises supported by Christians at the UN are false and intended as a negation of Israel.
21. I am not threatened or annoyed by them
Ezra ,   San Diego   (07.08.13)
An apology is an apology. Never mind they can't apologize for someone else's evil, it's the heart felt action that makes it acceptable. This story needs to go mainstream in Arab and US media.
22. 1,700 years of atrocities ...
Mike ,   nz   (07.11.13)
Whats new ???? they tried to kill us, but we survived, now lets eat !!! However next time "they" might pay a heavy price !!!
23. #18: There are many insidious groups out there
Dave ,   Montreal, Canada   (07.24.13)
Who are seeking to corrupt our values and convert us. The motivation behind these "righteous acts" is far darker than you might realise. That being said, an apology is nice although coming from the wrong people. If a group of Europeans were overcome from visiting Yad Vashem, and went out into the streets to apologise, it would have more weight.
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