ALEXANDER KIMEL - HOLOCAUST UNDERSTANDING & PREVENTION

The Jews are not the only victims of anti-Semitism. I was surprised to find that anti-Semitism, is a scourge the affects the victims and the persecutors. Here are some examples:

In 1492 Spain expelled all the Jews. Jews converted to Christianity were subjected to heavy persecutions, and many were burned alive. For the first time racial discrimination laws "Sangua Limpia (unclean blood) are introduced by the Church, and all converted Jews are removed from positions of influence. The Sultan of Constantinople, who received many Jewish refugees wonders "Why is the King of Spain is expelling his most literate people?"
In 1494 Columbus discovers America. Despite all the riches plundered in the Americas, Spain remains for 500 years the poorest country in Europe. It looks like that the Spaniards were also the victims of anti-Semitism.

At the turn of the 19 century, Russia was in dire need of agrarian reforms. 90 % of the land was in the hands of the absentee Gentry, and the peasant, the muzhiks, lived in conditions worse than the cattle. Instead of reforms the Tzar instituted anti-Jewish pogroms, diverting the attention of the suffering peasants.

Two decades later, a bunch of revolutionaries, deposed the Tzar after gaining the support of the peasantry, by promising them land. Lack of reforms, diverted by pogroms, lead to the tyranny of the paranoid Stalin. it looks like the Russians and all the Eastern European nations were the were victims of anti-Semitism?

Germany 1933

Germany elected as their absolute leader the Great Corporal. Hitler gained recognition by his anti-Semitic oratory, and used anti-Jewish measures to gain popularity and tighten his grip on this cultural nation. Confiscated Jewish properties were used as seed money for the rearmament. As result of Hitler's insane policies, Germany faced total destruction and twelve million Germans lost their lives.

Without his anti-Semitic oratory, Hitler would have been an ex-corporal. Without anti-Semitism Hitler could not have gained power and unleashed the WWII. In a broad term, the German people are victims of their own anti-Semitism?

Poland 1968.

In 1968, Poland expelled all Jews that held any position of influence. At the same time, Gierek an experienced coal miner, assumed power and started his "suicidal" economic policies. Poland obtained large Western credits that were used for importing chicken feed or buying obsolete, non- economic plants. In 1968 the Polish economy started a nose dive.

There is a correlation between the expulsion of experienced managers and the economic crisis. The Polish dream of a "Poland without Jews" turned into a nightmare. Interestingly enough, the Poles turned to a Jew, Harvard Professor Saks, to pull them out from the economic mess. As the Polish saying goes "In need turn to a Jew."

Are the Polish people victims of their own anti-Semitism? Depends whom you ask.

Other Victims:

Anti-Semitism, appealing to the irrational prejudices and is a powerful tool and magnet with which dangerous, immature demagogues are gaining power and spread violence and destruction. Hitler, Moczar, Zhirinovsky, Farakhan are just a few examples.

kimel@systec.com