Holocaust survivor’s courage

Published: 4 March 2010

• I HAD the privilege of seeing Auschwitz survivor Dr Hajo Meyer’s courage in the face of the repeated attacks at the House of Commons meeting, and he certainly did not look like someone “wheeled out... who has been bamboozled...” (letter by Nicole Segre, February 25).

The attacks at Dr Meyer on the Holocaust Day event escalated until House of Commons police escorted out a Jewish Zionist official.

Then another heckler was escorted out by a policeman but, just when he passed next to us, mainly Jewish people, he shockingly waved his hand in the Nazi salute and shouted “sieg heil”. By contrast, John Gulliver showed his humanity in his compassionate article about the keynote speaker 86-year-old Dr Meyer (February 4).

With dignity Dr Meyer watched the hateful hecklers, only to resume his coherent account of his personal experience and historical analysis.

Unfazed in the face of the Zionist attackers, he told the audience of the lessons on the Siege of Gaza to be learned from the Holocaust.

Dr Meyer’s talk was a special inspiration for me, being an Israeli, currently having regular contact with Gaza, and a daughter of parents who escaped Nazi Germany. 

I find Dr Meyer’s lessons poignant, especially when I face denial and silence in spite of the evidence of the death, hunger and suffering caused by the merciless siege of Gaza imposed by Israel.
Yael Kahn
Chair of Islington Friends of Yibna.
Address supplied

State’s sins

• WHO are the most strident anti-Semites on Earth?

They are in Israel and what remains of the state of Palestine. Semites are said to be descended from Shem, speaking a Semitic language.

That the Palestinians have cause to hate Israel is obvious. Remember the January 2008 blitzkrieg launched on Gaza which killed an estimated 1,200 Arabs, including 300 children. Yet not all Jews support the Zionists, as is evident in the review of the book by Mike Marqusee (Review February 18).

Stating that Israel considers him as a Jew, and claiming to speak for all Jews, he disclaims such representation. Many Jews repudiate Israel’s policies, which oppress Palestinians.

It is surprising that Israelis tolerate the sins committed in their name, and thus expose individuals outside their borders to attack by extremists.

Thankfully some such as Mr Marqusee speak up for those fearful of retaliation from their fellow religionists.
A short letter lacks space to rehearse the history of conflict in the Middle East.

Thankfully we have the public library system in which to peruse the matter. So good on people like Mike. May his sales soar!
Skip Murphy
Prince of Wales Road, NW1