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The news today (June 22) that Hamas has made a major political climbdown by agreeing to sections of a document that recognises Israel's right to exist and a negotiated two-state solution, will be treated with suspicion by many. None the less, this must not be allowed to destroy any fragile hope of peace in this key region.There is a second barrier that must also be crossed however. The Holocaust was so provable that you would think that to deny it would be an act of madness. Sections of Hamas and Iran 's president have seemed bewilderingly out of touch because of this. They could say it was not their responsibility ...but deny it? They are, unfortunately, not alone.
The colourful British 'Historian" David Irving, now in an Austrian jail, did the same. He was jailed for Holocaust Denial a major crime in Austria. He has said he merely discussed the topic. Freedom of speech. Others have questioned the numbers. Why? One is too many.
Even the deaths of millions, however, cannot be used to justify aggression, by anyone, be it Israel or Russia, which for 45 years, used their millions of war dead to excuse their enslavement of Eastern Europe. More pertinently ...it must not be used as a weapon to attack Iran.
Time for our leaders to lead. People who justified the assault on Iraq are clearly capable of the fantastic thought required for peace in the Middle East. Admit our past blunders in the region. Offer real aid, not weaponry. Ask questions.
Did 6 million Jews die in the Holocaust or is saying this playing Irving 's game? 6 million PEOPLE died and when we get a grip of that we can move forward.
Religion must not be the defining feature of humanity. Humanity must be the defining feature of religion. Were "Jews" were killed by "Christians" or were our cousins killing our brothers and sisters. My overriding point is that these were MY people being massacred. To claim them as Jewish is to lessen the tragedy, as if only Jewish people mourn them.
I have now painfully read some of what Irving said and he seems to be arguing that Hitler did not personally organise the camps, more so than disputing the numbers killed. I come to my favourite response in life. So what? Maybe he was too busy watching his forces annihilate Europe to worry about ordering more gas canisters. Besides, blaming Hitler allows too many others off the hook.
It has been estimated that a hundred thousand Europeans were involved in the transportation and destruction of the Jews. Not just guards but ...railway and construction workers, administrators, traffic police etc. etc. Let us bury it, saying this will never, ever be allowed again. Let us take steps to ensure it never happens but let us never use it as reason to cause violence to others.
Refuse to allow anyone, anywhere, to contemplate aggressive war as a strategy. We must be combatative. Jesus turned a cheek, but did not ask the money lenders to "please leave the temple". The coming war with (and inevitable occupation of) Iran must be resisted at levels that we have not considered previously. We were out manoeuvred on Iraq. This must not be repeated.
I have previously argued that Jewish people must be encouraged to live here in Scotland. I have said it in terms of helping us, as our population is shrinking. However it is also in recognition of the fact that they have been brutalised through the centuries, but are also safer here, as they have not displaced a whole people, as has happened in Palestine.
As I gaze out of a mid summer window, watching the rain and wind, I have had to turn on the central heating. I feel like saying to all peaceful people "Come to Scotland..if you think you are hard enough."
