A response to Professor Bartov of Brown University, recent essay appearing in The Guardian publication accusing Israel of genocide
by Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht
August 14, 2024
Professor Omer Bartov
Professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies
Brown University
Providence, RI 02912
It is post Tisha B’Av in Fairfield County, USA.
The day for me and many others observing its traditions, was strenuous and demanding. A day dedicated to prayer, self-reflection, fasting 24 hours, and thinking of the desecration of humanity and the tragedies of our people throughout its long history, and the recent Holocaust of October 7th the shattering loss of my people, in the holy land of Israel.
I juxtapose this culmination of “three weeks” observance and the reading of your very well written and extensive essay appearing in The Guardian gaining new insight to the pain and loss of Israelis and Jews the world-over.
You have succeeded in great measure to share the pain and loss of the “other side” Hamas and their supporters. You have very well documented the mind-set of pre WWII Germans and the thinking of the NAZI’S and their supporters.
You have also successfully demonstrated with logic and reasoning the mindset of modern day Israelis and the government that leads at the moment.
Yes you are published in the NYT and other -once worthy (or thought to be ) legacy media, and that is your success, rightfully earned.
There is only one point that I take issue with.
You have done admirably in condemning your own people and your homeland, that you admit to no longer recognize. You have over a lifetime of work proved to equalize the Nazi mentality with Israel’s existential struggle for survival.
With your pen and scholarship you have skillfully demonstrated and delivered your people into the hands of every anti-Semite on America’s campuses, and you are rightfully proud of your honesty and integrity.
I believe the young people at BGU and your lifelong friends in Israel – from the liberal and left leaning school of thought, have learnt the bitter lesson of “those who come to kill you, arise and kill them first”.
Moshe Dayan was a realist – however in political life and decisions a total failure.
The Arab media is already touting your damning accusations of genocide equal to Nazi Germany, and that is very sad. It also informs me that the Judenrat is alive today in American academia.
As a person who passionately believes in humanity for Jews – Arabs and every human being, at a time like this, your wonderful “ read “ is pouring Kerosene on the conflagration of anti-Israel and anti-Jewish sentiment – even as you might claim otherwise, that you are attempting through valiant truth telling to extinguish the fire of aggression by Israel against its (innocent) enemies.
There is so much more to say, however, the above is enough said.
With respect and hopes for Shalom in a bitterly divided world,
Yehoshua S. Hecht
Norwalk, CT
Rabbi Yehoshua S. Hecht is an ordained Rabbi and Rabbinical Judge, spiritual leader of Beth Israel Chabad of Westport/Norwalk, CT since 1984, and Member of the Presidium, Rabbinical Alliance of America, a national rabbinic organization, founded in 1942.