Opinion
Israel and Germany: One-sided reconciliation
Eldad Beck
Published: 21.01.15, 00:49
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19 Talkbacks for this article
1. true reconciliation must occur
john ,   nyc   (01.21.15)
Yes, and thats why anti israel anti jewish hatred persists, if a real change doesnt occur in germany why would it occur in greater europe or the arab world. germany was the historic epicenter of jew hate, only a true complete reconciliation in germany will change attitudes in england, france, the arab world and beyond.
2. one sided reconciliation
Mark ,   Karmi'el   (01.21.15)
Why is Beck making this statements, when there was no survey and nothing to base his statements on? I am german and from all the people I know I have to say, that the opinion about Israel is very mixed; from a deep love (mostly from christians) to animosity. Hatred comes mostly from the turkish-muslim population! So such staements from Beck are very false and even dangerous, as some people might even believe this.
3. Seriously??
Daniel   (01.21.15)
So there is no survey of any kind and nothing to base the story on, but the author still feels he can claim to know what a majority think. It's in line with the reporter who claimed Luton is the UK's third city, and invented 700 French areas forbidden for non-Muslims. Being a reporter is SO much easier when one does not have to bother with facts or reality.
4. Well, hmmm
Cameron ,   USA   (01.21.15)
Not sure I buy the basic thrust of this posting. Germans & Jews certainly never cared much for eachother in the past, and I have always had the strong sense over the years that there is still a great deal of mutual enmity and mutual distaste to be found between the two populations. I'll stick to my own impression of German-Israeli interaction as opposed to that of the author.
5. Exactly!
Ulrich J. Becker ,   Israel   (01.21.15)
I move from Germany to Israel a decade ago and can sign any word of Eldad Beck. Thanks for that important article. Sadly many Israelis are blind about Germanies true attitude towards Israel.
6. Germany v. Israel
Leslie ,   indio,USA   (01.21.15)
Once a German, always a German.
7. Anti-Israel =/= Anti-Semitism
Dan ,   USA   (01.21.15)
The author alludes to a false claim that having a critical opinion of Israel automatically makes someone an anti-semite. Don't compare political reality to genocidal history, its bad journalism and even worse intellectually.
8. To Scott Wolf:
Shosh   (01.21.15)
Understand the basis of Nazism was taken directly from biblical libels most which sowed the seeds the later 2 1/2+ thousand years of vicious persecution of every kind by religious zealots. Make no mistake Scott Wolf, had the Nazi's been stopped prior to the Shoah when all the signs lead to what was thought to be the final extermination, the Shoah would not have happened. Furthermore, the allies wouldn't even bomb the rail lines to Auschwitz. The liberation was by accident not by design. Post Shoah, Antisemitism was rampant across Europe and U.S. Persecution of Jews, especially the Shoah to which the world turned a blind eye, sits on the hands of every culture. The state of Israel came to be because of guilt not love for Jews. 67 years later the idea of a 'Jewish State' obviously sits with great disdain (as part of inherent Antisemitism) to much of the world. We as Jews must and should only rely on ourselves for the most part. The hate felt for us is so ancient one might think it runs through the very veins of humankind.
9. The descendants of Goebbels, Eichmann & Co are only waiting
(01.21.15)
for an opportunity to feel guilt-free, so any and everyone spitting at Israel's image is a welcome blessing on their souls. They must be already drawing up plans for "Avraham Burg Museum & Memorial". Cursed be their memory & land.
10. what attitudes Germans should have
chris (munich)   (01.21.15)
Surely after the period of Nazi rule and all its awful features, Germans should oppose racism and militarism? Since Israel seems not to be free of these negative phenomena, attitudes to that state cannot be entirely positive. Anti-Jewish attitudes would be another matter entirely, of course.
11. It was Ben Gurion and Epigenetic theory
Zechariah   (01.21.15)
Epigenetics holds that if the Environment is Positive The Evil Innate Gene can be Blocked and Vica Versa.This was the Marshall Plan after WW2 to build up Western Europe and Particularly Germany to Prevent Ultra Poverty Producing Communism.In Greece with the Harsh austerity the UltraLeft is Gaining Strongly .Germany was a mess in 1930-1933 the German people Voted the Nazis as the Biggest Party.In the USA they Voted Roosevelt The Democrats and New Deal .Still more than enough Fascists in the USA to Limit Jewish escape from Nazi Genocide or Mobilize and Fight the Nazis .BenGurion wanted to Believe in the New Germany .And Holocaust Denial and Nazi Emblems are Prohibited.Angela Merkel Popular in Germany Pleaded for Tolerance to Refugees in view especially of Nazi Germany .Still a Nazi Rump in Germany but also a lot of Naive Beliefs and Opportunism is Powerful .
12. To: No. 10
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.21.15)
The "palestinians" are responsible for the deaths of more Israeli civilians than Israel is responsible for the deaths of "palestinians." Perhaps you ought to sit this one out until the numbers reach six million. Recognize that number?
13. Of course they hate Israel
Sarah B ,   U.S.A. / Israel   (01.21.15)
They hate Jews, too. We are a constant reminder of their savagery. We know they are savages; they know they are savages -- they just would rather forget that episode in Germany's history. Too bad for them. The problem is not with the Jewish people and it is not with the State of Israel. The problem is with the German people. I have a theory about that, which I freely admit I cannot prove. Most countries in the world have a maternal image -- they speak of a mother country, a mother tongue ... not Germany -- they have a "Fatherland." And that has made all the difference.
14. #13 yeah, yeah
Chris Costello   (01.21.15)
And the word "pogrom" is German too, from another "fatherland"?
15. ***Sarah*** at 13, You are right ! That article
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (01.23.15)
is true ! Israel must NEVER forget what Germany did and it is CRISTAL CLEAR that Germany hasn't changed since 1945.
16. Steinmeier is an enemy of Israel and he
Chris Rettenmoser ,   Bayerisch Gmain Germ   (01.23.15)
will always try to find some anti-Israel Jews to come to his support. THIS IS DISGUSTING !!!!!!!!!!
17. forget?
chris (munich)   (01.24.15)
Nobody should forget the monstrous crimes of the Nazis and their allies against Slavs, Chinese, Jews, Roma and others. But the lesson to be drawn seems to me to be rejection of racism and militarism, no matter who is infected with these awful perversions.
18. One sided
Chris ,   Stuttgart Germany   (02.04.15)
You forget to mention the many billions of Euros and weapons which Israel got from germany as help. Yes, it is really one sided- you never have enough. It is really stupid and unfair
19. you're right, chris
sifter ,   chicago   (05.12.15)
How many bayoneted infants for your fine Mercedes? Is a Dolphin submarine worth 2.2 or 2.6 million Juden? I forget. German bloodlust is never satisfied with..enough!
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