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NO PROPAGANDA BLUFF CAN CAST SHADOW ON THE CENTURIES-OLD RELATIONS OF JEWISH AND ARMENIAN PEOPLES - WILLIAM WEINER
12:46 * 27.02.15
Republished from The Times of Israel
World history is not full of examples of fortitude, rigor and
steadiness of peoples' spirit, which endured infinite number of
sufferings and deprivations. An example of manhood in this worthy line
is the co-existence of two old nations - Jews and Armenians, who,
despite all the difficulties and ordeal, miraculously summoned the
strength not only to survive, but also, on the path of their struggle
for life, to enrich the world spiritual heritage with achievements
in culture and science. The imposed reality in the depth of historic
identity of these two old, and by the will of tragic fate diasporal
peoples, explains the peculiarly mutual understanding and respect
towards each other. There is no Armenian or Jew in the world, who is or
will be indifferent to the sufferings and death of innocent victims,
to the fact of the two horrendous crimes against humanities committed
in the 20th century.
My parents and their families endured all the horrors of evacuation,
exile and concentration camps. Fortune brought them to Armenia,
where I was born and live for 60 years. I am doubly grieved, but,
at the same time, I clearly understand, why shameful efforts are
exerted in some circles, through false "documents", analysis,
that do not fit any logic, to spread enmity among the world Jewry
towards Armenia and the Armenian people. An article by a blogger,
calling himself "Israel Barouk" in Times of Israel is yet another
naïve attempt. I suppose that Mr. Barouk, who lives in Los-Angeles,
and publishes peremptory statements in the forms of articles, has
never visited Armenia and has no clue about the history of Armenian
people and about more than 2000-years-old history of the Jews in this
country. However, with a striking perseverance he demonstrates an
"in-depth" knowledge on preferences of the Armenian people and Armenia.
Taking a group of Armenian students at the University of California
in LA, he attempts to propagate an overt hatred against Armenians
and Armenia in the Jewish milieu. Some articles have been published
recently with exactly similar statements, penned by well-known
Turkish and Azerbaijani analysts, and amongst them is an article by
"Israel Barouk" which looks like part of pro-Azerbaijani advertisement
(http://sdjewishjournal.com/site/7541/in-defense-of-peace-and-hope/).
It is beyond any doubt that the latter "analysis' is yet another
failed attempt of Turkish-Azerbaijani propaganda machine, which is
disseminated in the US and Israeli media in the recent months, on
the eve of Centenary of the Armenian Genocide which is being marked
in 2015. This strategy has been unfortunately aimed at deflecting the
Armenians from the Genocide Centenary and spending their resources on
countering the genocide deniers and massive anti-Armenian campaigns
launched and supported by the Azerbaijani oil revenues. It is
unfortunate that even some politicians in Israel have given in to
these propaganda manipulations, consciously or unconsciously becoming
victims themselves and sacrificing the Israeli public opinion and
Israel's long-term interests to such cheap Turkish-Azerbaijani joint
propaganda projects.
Returning to the above-mentioned articles, one should use the word
"failed" in its widest and most overwhelming sense, as the analysis
contains all the known criteria of an inferior media outlet, i.e.
false information, concealment of the truth and bottom lines of
this type - that "All cats are mortal, Socrates is mortal, therefore
Socrates is a cat." Here he "craftily" does not ever contrast Armenia
with Azerbaijan, which he had advertised previously, in order to
"hide" the customers' tracks.
Whatever stance a couple of Armenians take - young students at the
University of California - that do not constitute any percentage of
the Armenian population of the USA, there is no excuse to present it
as if it were the opinion of all Armenian Diaspora of America. In
the same way, one should not appeal to the activity by some Jewish
lobbyists, pushing the interests of Azerbaijan, as if it is the Jews'
and Israel's stance towards the Armenian people.
In Mr. Barouk's article attempts by some persons of the Armenian
community to cooperate with Nazis' Germany during WWII are depicted
as contribution to the Holocaust. Historic research of that period,
as well as sources of that time reveal that the aforementioned
persons tried to establish contacts with representatives of Nazi
Germany to save Armenians from total extermination, as in case of
unsuccessful end of war (which the defeat at Stalingrad could have
become), Turkish troops, deployed along the Soviet Armenia's border,
craved for invasion. These people also tried to save Soviet soldiers of
Armenian origin in captivity. They had no relation to the extermination
of the Jewish people. By the way, numerous legions were assembled by
Soviet captives of other nationalities, including the Azerbaijanis.
The author forgets to mention that Armenians, both in the Soviet
Army and in Diaspora - in the USA, France, and other countries -
were on the front line in the fight against Nazism and Fascism. In
spite of small number and geographic distance from the places, where
Holocaust was committed, quite a number of Armenians lent a helping
hand to Jews during those horrible years and got the honorable title of
"Righteous people for peace" - something, the visitors of Yad Vashem in
Jerusalem are reminded of - a reality, which the author is consciously
tacit about.
Referring to Modern Armenia, unlike the abovementioned persons,
involved in cheap politicking, in the worst sense of the word, I do
know this wonderful country and the people not by hearsay. Born and
bred as a Jew, I, as one of the founders of the Jewish community of
Armenia, can assure can declare with confidence, that Jews always
enjoyed the respect of the Armenian people and more than amicable
attitude of the authorities. There is no and has never been any
expression of anti-Semitism in Armenia. Armenian national idea has
never been directed against any people, let alone Jews. To voice
slogans, like the one which the Azerbaijani National Front voiced in
Baku, in 1990 - "Azerbaijan will prosper without Jews and Armenians" -
is the last thing anyone here may think of. This is part of reality,
which the author withholds, as he prefers either to keep silence
deliberately, or is not aware, because as in the case of "know-all
experts", writing articles of such kind, he, obviously, has never
spent a day in Armenia.
Do not get me wrong, in no way do I try to accuse Azerbaijani people
of anti-Semitism, just the opposite! If my fellows live well in that
country, I can not but welcome that. I just consider immoral the
propaganda of non-existent anti-Semitism in Armenia which is done
for the sake of politics of that state (i.e. Azerbaijan). I find
the behavior of the so-called "experts", who try to poison the world
Jewry against the Armenian people, speculating with national dignity
and pursuing whatever political goals, extremely reproachful.
Referring to the opinion poll, held by the Anti-Defamation League,
the author once again falsifies facts, mentioning that, allegedly,
this organization recognized Armenian Genocide. It is well-known fact,
that ADL on numerous occasions raised calls on the denial. In addition,
the opinion poll's methodology was doubtful, and its results are used
by the anti-Armenian propaganda in an overtly selective and entirely
distorted way. Firstly, according to the results of the very poll,
much more anti-Semite answers were given in Azerbaijan, and, secondly,
as a Jew, I was surprised by what answers ADL leadership considers
being the criteria of anti-Semitism. If such a poll is held in Israel,
it is highly likely, that by ADL's criteria, that country would not
avoid either being labeled anti-Semitic.
Thus, here is the question; who benefits from pushing forward these
false theses? The answer, to me, is apparent. Thus, I call upon
journalists, experts, as well as some politicians, time and again
presenting only pro-Azerbaijani and anti-Armenian articles and views
to refrain from further attempts to speak on behalf of Jews and
impose yet another non-existent conflict on the world Jewry. As to
the Jewish media outlets, I ask them not to provide an opportunity
to spread such one-sided analytical articles. As to specialists,
calling themselves "experts", as a Jew - to the Jews, I invite them
in person to visit Armenia to enrich their professional experience
and take more unbiased stance.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/02/27/william-weiner/1602999
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/no-propaganda-bluff-can-cast-shadow-on-the-centuries-old-relations-of-jewish-and-armenian-peoples/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
12:46 * 27.02.15
Republished from The Times of Israel
World history is not full of examples of fortitude, rigor and
steadiness of peoples' spirit, which endured infinite number of
sufferings and deprivations. An example of manhood in this worthy line
is the co-existence of two old nations - Jews and Armenians, who,
despite all the difficulties and ordeal, miraculously summoned the
strength not only to survive, but also, on the path of their struggle
for life, to enrich the world spiritual heritage with achievements
in culture and science. The imposed reality in the depth of historic
identity of these two old, and by the will of tragic fate diasporal
peoples, explains the peculiarly mutual understanding and respect
towards each other. There is no Armenian or Jew in the world, who is or
will be indifferent to the sufferings and death of innocent victims,
to the fact of the two horrendous crimes against humanities committed
in the 20th century.
My parents and their families endured all the horrors of evacuation,
exile and concentration camps. Fortune brought them to Armenia,
where I was born and live for 60 years. I am doubly grieved, but,
at the same time, I clearly understand, why shameful efforts are
exerted in some circles, through false "documents", analysis,
that do not fit any logic, to spread enmity among the world Jewry
towards Armenia and the Armenian people. An article by a blogger,
calling himself "Israel Barouk" in Times of Israel is yet another
naïve attempt. I suppose that Mr. Barouk, who lives in Los-Angeles,
and publishes peremptory statements in the forms of articles, has
never visited Armenia and has no clue about the history of Armenian
people and about more than 2000-years-old history of the Jews in this
country. However, with a striking perseverance he demonstrates an
"in-depth" knowledge on preferences of the Armenian people and Armenia.
Taking a group of Armenian students at the University of California
in LA, he attempts to propagate an overt hatred against Armenians
and Armenia in the Jewish milieu. Some articles have been published
recently with exactly similar statements, penned by well-known
Turkish and Azerbaijani analysts, and amongst them is an article by
"Israel Barouk" which looks like part of pro-Azerbaijani advertisement
(http://sdjewishjournal.com/site/7541/in-defense-of-peace-and-hope/).
It is beyond any doubt that the latter "analysis' is yet another
failed attempt of Turkish-Azerbaijani propaganda machine, which is
disseminated in the US and Israeli media in the recent months, on
the eve of Centenary of the Armenian Genocide which is being marked
in 2015. This strategy has been unfortunately aimed at deflecting the
Armenians from the Genocide Centenary and spending their resources on
countering the genocide deniers and massive anti-Armenian campaigns
launched and supported by the Azerbaijani oil revenues. It is
unfortunate that even some politicians in Israel have given in to
these propaganda manipulations, consciously or unconsciously becoming
victims themselves and sacrificing the Israeli public opinion and
Israel's long-term interests to such cheap Turkish-Azerbaijani joint
propaganda projects.
Returning to the above-mentioned articles, one should use the word
"failed" in its widest and most overwhelming sense, as the analysis
contains all the known criteria of an inferior media outlet, i.e.
false information, concealment of the truth and bottom lines of
this type - that "All cats are mortal, Socrates is mortal, therefore
Socrates is a cat." Here he "craftily" does not ever contrast Armenia
with Azerbaijan, which he had advertised previously, in order to
"hide" the customers' tracks.
Whatever stance a couple of Armenians take - young students at the
University of California - that do not constitute any percentage of
the Armenian population of the USA, there is no excuse to present it
as if it were the opinion of all Armenian Diaspora of America. In
the same way, one should not appeal to the activity by some Jewish
lobbyists, pushing the interests of Azerbaijan, as if it is the Jews'
and Israel's stance towards the Armenian people.
In Mr. Barouk's article attempts by some persons of the Armenian
community to cooperate with Nazis' Germany during WWII are depicted
as contribution to the Holocaust. Historic research of that period,
as well as sources of that time reveal that the aforementioned
persons tried to establish contacts with representatives of Nazi
Germany to save Armenians from total extermination, as in case of
unsuccessful end of war (which the defeat at Stalingrad could have
become), Turkish troops, deployed along the Soviet Armenia's border,
craved for invasion. These people also tried to save Soviet soldiers of
Armenian origin in captivity. They had no relation to the extermination
of the Jewish people. By the way, numerous legions were assembled by
Soviet captives of other nationalities, including the Azerbaijanis.
The author forgets to mention that Armenians, both in the Soviet
Army and in Diaspora - in the USA, France, and other countries -
were on the front line in the fight against Nazism and Fascism. In
spite of small number and geographic distance from the places, where
Holocaust was committed, quite a number of Armenians lent a helping
hand to Jews during those horrible years and got the honorable title of
"Righteous people for peace" - something, the visitors of Yad Vashem in
Jerusalem are reminded of - a reality, which the author is consciously
tacit about.
Referring to Modern Armenia, unlike the abovementioned persons,
involved in cheap politicking, in the worst sense of the word, I do
know this wonderful country and the people not by hearsay. Born and
bred as a Jew, I, as one of the founders of the Jewish community of
Armenia, can assure can declare with confidence, that Jews always
enjoyed the respect of the Armenian people and more than amicable
attitude of the authorities. There is no and has never been any
expression of anti-Semitism in Armenia. Armenian national idea has
never been directed against any people, let alone Jews. To voice
slogans, like the one which the Azerbaijani National Front voiced in
Baku, in 1990 - "Azerbaijan will prosper without Jews and Armenians" -
is the last thing anyone here may think of. This is part of reality,
which the author withholds, as he prefers either to keep silence
deliberately, or is not aware, because as in the case of "know-all
experts", writing articles of such kind, he, obviously, has never
spent a day in Armenia.
Do not get me wrong, in no way do I try to accuse Azerbaijani people
of anti-Semitism, just the opposite! If my fellows live well in that
country, I can not but welcome that. I just consider immoral the
propaganda of non-existent anti-Semitism in Armenia which is done
for the sake of politics of that state (i.e. Azerbaijan). I find
the behavior of the so-called "experts", who try to poison the world
Jewry against the Armenian people, speculating with national dignity
and pursuing whatever political goals, extremely reproachful.
Referring to the opinion poll, held by the Anti-Defamation League,
the author once again falsifies facts, mentioning that, allegedly,
this organization recognized Armenian Genocide. It is well-known fact,
that ADL on numerous occasions raised calls on the denial. In addition,
the opinion poll's methodology was doubtful, and its results are used
by the anti-Armenian propaganda in an overtly selective and entirely
distorted way. Firstly, according to the results of the very poll,
much more anti-Semite answers were given in Azerbaijan, and, secondly,
as a Jew, I was surprised by what answers ADL leadership considers
being the criteria of anti-Semitism. If such a poll is held in Israel,
it is highly likely, that by ADL's criteria, that country would not
avoid either being labeled anti-Semitic.
Thus, here is the question; who benefits from pushing forward these
false theses? The answer, to me, is apparent. Thus, I call upon
journalists, experts, as well as some politicians, time and again
presenting only pro-Azerbaijani and anti-Armenian articles and views
to refrain from further attempts to speak on behalf of Jews and
impose yet another non-existent conflict on the world Jewry. As to
the Jewish media outlets, I ask them not to provide an opportunity
to spread such one-sided analytical articles. As to specialists,
calling themselves "experts", as a Jew - to the Jews, I invite them
in person to visit Armenia to enrich their professional experience
and take more unbiased stance.
http://www.tert.am/en/news/2015/02/27/william-weiner/1602999
http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/no-propaganda-bluff-can-cast-shadow-on-the-centuries-old-relations-of-jewish-and-armenian-peoples/
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress