Ignorance is bliss

By the chazzan Paul Heller

Comparing the Holocaust to Israel’s defense against terrorism involves addressing two profoundly different contexts within the scope of historical and contemporary issues. The Holocaust, one of the darkest periods in human history, was the systematic, state-sponsored persecution and murder of six million Jews by the Nazi regime and its collaborators during World War II. This genocide, rooted in a racist ideology that sought to exterminate the entire Jewish population, also targeted millions of others, including ethnic Poles, Soviets, Romani people, homosexuals, disabled individuals, and political dissidents.

As a Colombian, it’s deeply troubling to see my country aligned with a regime like Iran, which poses such a significant threat on the global stage.

I recently watched a film ” The zone of interest” that examines the Nazi regime from a perspective that portrays their operations as akin to a typical, systematic factory. It depicted how, with characteristic German precision, they treated their subjects as if they were mere products in an assembly line, while continuing a “normal life” next to the extermination camp.

Maybe these South American president’s should if not illustrated and read enough genocide, watch the film.

Israel’s defense against terrorism, on the other hand, is situated in the modern geopolitical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and broader Middle Eastern politics. Israel, established in 1948 in the aftermath of the Holocaust, has faced numerous security challenges since its inception, including terrorist attacks targeting civilians. Israel’s military and security measures against such threats are part of its national defense strategy to protect its citizens.

The comparison between the Holocaust and Israel’s security measures is complex and often controversial. Critics argue that invoking the Holocaust in discussions about Israel’s defense strategies can be misleading or inappropriate, as the Holocaust represents an unparalleled event of industrial-scale genocide driven by genocidal intent.

In contrast, Israel’s military actions are part of an ongoing conflict characterized by political, territorial, and security dimensions, where the state acts with the intention to defend its sovereignty and citizens against acts of terrorism.

Gaining a deep understanding of these topics requires acknowledging the unique historical, moral, and ethical contexts that distinguish the Holocaust from the current security dilemmas Israel encounters. It’s important for political leaders to differentiate between these distinct scenarios and to distance themselves from those who deny the Holocaust or threaten Israel’s existence, such as the extremist regime in Iran, which harbors ambitions of extending its influence to South American countries, including establishing a caliphate. As a Colombian, it’s deeply troubling to see my country aligned with a regime like Iran, which poses such a significant threat on the global stage.