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MKs to boycott Merkel speech
Amnon Meranda
Published: 18.03.08, 00:17
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1. German language in Kenesset
alan ,   bellaire, texas   (03.18.08)
It is purely emotional, but the German language turns my stomach and I wouldn't want to hear it spoken in the Kenesset.
2. The boycott is merely provocation
Avinoam ,   Tel Aviv, Israel   (03.18.08)
As was stated in the article. Just adding my full support of Merkel and her choice of language. Israel and Germany have good relations today, there is no rational reason why she cannot speak in her own language. Oh dear Tibi, ever the concerned Israeli, when are they going to throw you out of Knesset already?
3. This picture deserves a contest
Keren ,   Israel-SP   (03.18.08)
Which one in the picture is the most pathetic? My vote goes for olmerd as the most pathetic,following very closely by all others ,being Barak the less one.
4. STUPID
Dan ,   USA   (03.18.08)
Jews can't wait to buy Mercedes, BMW's and Audi's but will walk out of a speech from a country's leader who does not hate us ? A STUPID MOVE BY LEADERS WHO BECOME MORE STUPID BY THE DAY.
5. Herzl and German
David ,   UK   (03.18.08)
Herzl in his seminal work "The Jewish State" envisaged that the official language of the Jewish homeland would be German - having said that it is a language which for many will always be associated with cruelty and persecution.
6. Embarrassment
Adam ,   London, UK   (03.18.08)
I am personally embarrassed by those MKs who feel it is correct to boycott the Merkel's speech at the Knesset. Israel has finally reach a time when major European powers are turning to us at a time of need, and France and Germany specifically have been incredibly outspoken in their support of Israel, especially against Iran. Angela Merkel has demonstrated her unwavering support, and the deals signed between Israel and Germany today are the perfect example of warm relations between the two countries. It is impossible to be completely compensated for something as inherently evil and destructive as the Holocaust. However the modern nation of Germany has bent over backwards to try to help Israel, to help Jewish people within Germany and those who suffered during the war, and there are many problems in German society today as a result of their self-inflicted punishment for what previous generations did during WWII. Beggars cannot be chosers, and Israel is not in a position to make demands of those powerful nations who are willing to turn to us in a time of need. Angela Merkel is a friend of Israel, and in affirming her country's support for the Jewish state, we must give her the utmost respect, and appreciate absolutely everything that she is doing. This includes attending her speech in the Knesset, and appreciating the incredible change in German policy that has taken place over the last 60 plus years.
7. Stupid, populist move.
Tahl ,   Israel   (03.18.08)
I've already expressed here recently, the great absurd in boycotting the German language in the Knesset. According to this logic, we can boycott pretty much every European language, since virtually all of Europe gladly collaborated with the Nazi extermination of Jews - some even more enthusiastically than the Germans. Furthermore, apparently for these religious MKs, it is "Kosher" enough to accept so much reparation money, to enjoy Germany's political support for Israel in Europe, to drive Volkswagen and watch Siemens, and enjoy all the other fine German techonologies, some of them are helpful in saving, or improving lives. But German langauge in the Knesset is not Kosher? If you boycott the German language, for what the Germans had done generations ago - you better boycott everything German, otherwise you look foolish. That's exactly what we say to all those silly Brits who preach to boycott Israel. Go ahead and boycott all Israeli products, see if you can! By the way, boycotting German also means boycotting the langauge of so many great Jewish intellectuals in history, including Herzl, who formulated his idea for a Jewish state, in German... And, if I'm not mistaken, Merkel will not be the first German speaker in the Knesset. I think Schroeder or Kohl or some other German councellor also spoke in German when visiting there. So why make such a big deal of it now, when Israel's biggest friend in Europe is coming over? We must not forgive, and must not forget. But we must realize also, that times have changed. Germany today is a different country, whose government does so much to help us, to understand us, to aplogize for the past, and feels obligated for our safety in the present and future. It is truly time to accept this friendship and move on.
8. she deserves it
john ,   bristow   (03.18.08)
German companies stillsupport Iran in many fields. This double standard is not acceptable. She should not be allowed to speek.
9. too stupid for words: Israel has real problems & these fools
dante ,   uk   (03.18.08)
these fools are have their knickers in a knot about a german PM speaking german. grow up. start thinking of the huge problems that Israel has and how a german PM might help. allow Merkel to help.
10. DISGRACEFUL
andy ,   orlando   (03.18.08)
Any MK boycotting Angela Merkel's speech because it is in German should be ashamed.There is nothing inherently wrong with the German language.Modern Germany is one if Israel's closest friends and allies.The time for resentment at anyone German should end. Are we Jewish people supposed to punish Germany forever for the Holocaust ?By all means don't forgive or forget but DO NOT hold the present generation of Germans responsiblle for the crimes of thair grandfathers.
11. She has been Israels best friend in EU
arthur ,   jersey city usa   (03.18.08)
PM Merkel should be given respect. She has been Israels best friend in EU Israel has few enough frieds
12. Israeli Stupidity
John Blank ,   Baltimore   (03.18.08)
She should close her pocketbook and not give any money. See how they will whine. What else is new. Beggars.
13. Generationally Challenged MK's
RHW ,   Scottsdale, AZ USA   (03.18.08)
The MK's that want to boycott Merkel are living in the past. Israel and Germany are populated by a new generation of people. The 19th and 20th Century mode of thinking is over.
14. enough enemies
azi ,   new york   (03.18.08)
We Jews have enough enemies throughout this world. Why cause problems with a country that goes out of its way to be friends of Israel and the Jews?
15. alex
german language   (03.18.08)
its not the language, it was the people that were the problem. merkel is actually a very fine person and she can speak in her language.
16. MKs should apologize to Bundestag/rad in German.
Michael Reising ,   Berkeley, CA.   (03.18.08)
Someone once told my great grandfather, Isador Cohen, not to worry about Israel's future, as Israel has a nuclear arsenal. He is probably spinning in his grave, seeing how her present leaders are trying to commit political suicide. [Not refering to Palestinian and Arab situation].
17. Is Merkel gonna press Israel on equal rights for Arabs?
Jawad   (03.18.08)
18. Merkel & the German language in the Knesset
Jakov   (03.18.08)
Personally, I have no objection to Merkel going forth to speak at the Knesset-even if it be in German. I find it quite natural that she would speak in her own language. She was raised to speak that. I can also certainly understand why some people are not going to want to attend. We can't forget about the henous acts committed during the time of the Holocaust. It's a really very emotional topic, and to hear the language would bring up those feelings. It's understandable. Yet, Germany today in its present form has helped many Jews, especially those who were behind the Iron curtain. It helped by allowing many to settle there in order to improve their lives. Also, they acknowledge what happened in the past, and are doing what they can to come to terms with it and to make up for it. Now, what can be said about so many Jews whose stomach turns at the hearing of German. And yet, many of these same Jews speak Yiddish, which is primarily made up of German. The languages are quite mutually intelligible. At least in a spoken form. I'm quite OK with the fact that she is taking the time to visit Israel. If she speaks in the Knesset, I'm OK with this too, and do not object to giving her the honor. Not that I really expect her to do it, but if she even utters "Shalom" during the speech, it would go a long way towards showing the Jewish People that she cares enough to make an effort to understand.
19. Leave Her Alone
M. Duvduvani ,   Yokneam, Israel   (03.18.08)
Leave her alone and let her speak in German....big deal. Tons of German tourists walk around speaking German in Israeli cities....what's the big deal already.
20. zero sum game
Steve   (03.18.08)
Growing up I thought all adults had numbers tattooed across their arms. The Holocaust has been a significant influence in my lifelong dedication to Zionism. Having said that I see no wisdom in alienating Merkel who by most accounts is a solid ally of Israel and Jews. Lately Israel has been getting creamed by the international media. One would hope that these well intentioned but myopic MK's would look at the bigger picture and stop representing Israel as a hateful nation with a third world mentality.
21. LANGUAGE IS NOT A BARRIER,BUT THE HEART IS
ROLAND SEENER ,   LONDON ENGLAND   (03.18.08)
IS ARABIC HEARD IN THE PORTALS OF THE KNESSET?...MANY ATTROCITIES ARE ATTRIBUTED TO THEM....IS ENGLISH HEARD.?..REMEMBER YORK...IS FRENCH.?..REMEMBER VICHY...IS SPANISH.?..REMEMBER THE INQUISITION....NOT TOO MANY TO TALK TO THEN!
22. Not nice at all
Jordi Gomis ,   Barcelona, Catalunya   (03.18.08)
...I really don't get it. Are not few israeli jews who speak german. Yiddish is basicly german blended with some hebrew words and written with hebrew characters.Most prominent jews had german as mother language (Herzl, Einstein) and for most of the jews assasinated in WWII. We spanish didn't do any better than the germans 500 years ago...but spanish is seen in israel as a friednly and cool language...it makes no sense at all.Hatong germans for ever will not make you a better jew...it will just bring you closer to the fanatism...and we have too many fanatics in this world...from all sides. Israel, please don't turn your back on europe.שלום לישראל
23. Please understand...
Patrick ,   Mannheim, Germany   (03.18.08)
that is is perfectly OK and fine if some MKs stay away or rise in prostest and leave. Who should hold it against you? I won't. I can totally understand if you have resentments against Germany and your MKs get up and leave. If it's about our history - I get it and you have every right to do so. However if some ppl leave, I would like it to be a general political issue and not a personal one, because our chancellor personally has nothing to do with the horrors and extermination which we inflicted upon your families. Still I hope everything tomorrow goes well and that DEEDS will follow the nice words of Ms. Merkel. (like cutting the ties with Iran and cutting the funding of the "Palestinians")
24. fools and idiots
Michael ,   Haifa   (03.18.08)
If, out of the 120 fools and idiots who sit in the Knesset Building doing little more than cultivating their egos, ONLY 4 of them are demonstrating their psychopathology on the issue of the German language, we should perhaps be consoled
25. This is not the way you treat a friend
Anon ,   JHB   (03.18.08)
If a person wants to know who you are, just tell them to look at your friends. Im glad Germany is my friend, our past is dark, but our future is bright. we can not accept an appology on behalf of our dead loved ones... but we can work together to make the future a positive one. I thank Germany, that it wants to make our friendship stronger, and wish Austria and Poland also join in. This is a true friendship that will lead to a better future for both our great nations
26. Nazis & Judenrats were speaking Hebrew & English, as well
observer   (03.18.08)
27. photo; Merkel : Olmert = 5 : 4
observer   (03.18.08)
28. merkel
sas ,   israel   (03.18.08)
there are always those that will object to something. let her speak in German and I hope we show her the respect she deserves.
29. Boycott Yiddish speaking MK's next!
Frank Kossmann ,   Manchester, UK   (03.18.08)
If one objects to the German language, then logic dictates to ban Yiddish next. After all Yiddish is 75-85% German, the remainder being Hebrew, Russian and Polish. As we may recall, Russians and Poles have not distinguished themselves by a show of humanity at the time of the Holocaust.
30. German Israeli language too
Nietzche ,   Kfar Shamryahu, IL   (03.18.08)
this is a very silly boycott that even forgets the important role german jews played in establishing the state and ignores the extent to which (before they started dying) german was spoken frequently by many israelis. it is also thanks to aspects of the german language that ben-yehuda was able to turn an ancient and dead language into the thriving one that is spoken today in israel this boycott only exposes that those participating are ignorant of their own history and of the origins of their language
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