M-T
The Canadian Jewish News, Thursday, June 15, 1989-Page 11
History does repeat itself
By
J. B.SALSBERG
There are moments in the never-ending struggle of mankind for economic and social hbera-tion that become historic signposts for generations to come.
The bloodbath in Beijing, China, on June 4 has, in my mind, become such an historic signpost.
I also think that the brutal and unprovoked attack of the Chinese "Pepple's Liberation Army" on an unarmed and peaceful assembly of Chinese students in
the heart of Beijing will also become the epitaph on the tombstone of Communism.
TheToromo 5rar of June 4th, 1989, reported from its own correspondent in the Chinese capital that "Chinese troops massacred unarmed civilians today, cutting a bloody swath through Bering and rolling into student-occupied Tiananmen Square with tanks and armored personnel carriers. Hundreds of people were killed and hundreds wounded as the military put a violent end to a peaceful protest."
J. B. Salsberg
Yes, history does repeat itself but, more often than not, as a tragedy. The description of the "bloodbath in Beijing reminds One of the bloodbath in St. Petersburg (now Leningrad) in 1917, when the czarist army fired at and killed many Russian workers and peasants who came to the Royal Palace asking for bread.
In Beijing, over 70 years later, it was an insensitive, self-serving, dictatorial Communist leadership that used its armed forces against unarmed, peaceful assembly of its student youth.
What an historic tragedy! Frankly, I cannot free my troubled mind from the devastating effect that it had on me.
AVhat every intelligentreader needs to bear in mind, when following the unfolding Chinese tragedy, is that this is happening not in some culturally backward corner of the world but in a country of a billion people with a history and culture that precedes, by hundreds of years, the history of Europe.
How thin is the veneer of what is called, civilization!
1 recall at this time a conversation about China that I had with the wise founder of modem Israel, David Ben-Gurion, in his kibbutz, Sde Boker, in the Negev, after he retired from active political life.
What was to have been a 30-minute "interview" turned into a three hour, free-wheeling discussion of eveiything from "the glorious Israeli youth," whom Ben-Gurion idealized, to.
believe it or not, China!
B-G found it difficult to understand why China refrained from ofHcially recognizing the re-bom Jewish state and establish normal diplomatic relations between the two couhtrift^.
China's hesitancy was particularly puzzling to him in view of the fact that fledgeling Israel risked American anger and voted at the UN for the admission of China to the UN while the U.S. was against admission. . As best as lean recall that conversation, Ben-Gurion said to me: "Iknew that Washington would be very displeased with us if we vote for China's admission- But how could we vote against the aidmission of one of the largest, oldest and culturally-rich country in the world? We, also an histprically cultured people, just couldn't do it and we didn't. So, in view of all that, why does China refuse to recognize us diplomatically?"
I remember smiling at Ben-Gurion and say^ ing: "Surely you, a famous statesman, knows why such things happen. It most likely is in ad-cord with their momehtaiy poitical interests to do so." ■,
Ben-Gurion looked at me enquiringly and 1 added: "There are many oil-rich Arab states and only one, tiny, oil-poor Jewish state."
BrG understood the reply I ol^ered biit^ he rerhained puzzled; it wasn't Yoisherdick!
And neither it was, but . ..
Anyway, when China became Communist it also became the renewed hope of disillusioned Communists around the world, i.e., disillusioned with Stalin's brutal brand of Communism. Naive young radicals around the world, formed pro-China Communist organizations and \yith rekindled fire in their eyes began ritual trecks to China. Peking, as Beijing was then called, became theNew Jerusalem for the flocks that became disillusioned with Moscow's cynicism and brutality.
And now came the "Beijing Bloodbath" of Junie 4; a monumental crime against serious-minded, essentially loyal friends of the present state, but who wished to ask peacefully for reforms. The answer came in the form of a brutally, violent form. The "People's Liberation Army replied widi bullets fired into the unarmed civilian assembly of Chinese citizens.
The present Communist leadership in Beijing outdid the czars of Russia.
The Communist era is draining.away in streams of blood or in chaotic social disorganization of its constituent parts — Poland, .etc.;
Sad. But history is rarely a pleasant display of humanity's struggle for a better
;world.:/.
But what horizons are there to replace the shattered ones? Mankind will search for them as man, to his credit, always did.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Utlers are welcome if they are in English or French, no more than 200 words, typewritten with lines double spaced, and of interest to our reading public. Readers are cautioned not to make: sweeping claims against persons or institutions which they cannot verify, as tibel laws are very stringent. We reserve the right to edit letters, which must bear the sender's address, phone number and both handwritten and typed signatures.
SAARBURG KASERNE
For several years, starting in 1945, the Saar-burg Kaseme (barracks) in Landsberg, Germany, was the largest Jewish Displaced Persons Camp in Europe. This camp exerted great influence on educational arid cultural programs in the other Jewish DP camps in Germany. Today there is nothing there to indicate that it had once been the site of a major Jewish DP camp with thousands of residents.
I plan to place a memorial plaque at the entrance to the Kaserne because of the camp's historical importance and have received authorization from the German authorities for this ■ project. . ■
Through this letter 1. hope to inform former residents of the Landsberg DP camp of. this project. The dedication of the plaque is tentatively; planned for September l()th, 1989 and the U.S. Army (Europe) is expected to participate in the dedication.; Those desiring more information can write to me at 3904 Adrierine Driye, Alexandria,
■'■vA ■22309.;
Irving Heymont
Colonel, U.S. Army (retired)
Alexandria, Va.
GJC SUPPORTS NAHON
It was most unfortunate that an important part of a resolution passed at the Canadian Jewish Congress plenary was left unmentioned in the article "No vote held on Middle East policy resolution" (May 18). The resolution to which I am referring is that which not only affirms Congress support for Network and students on campuses, but also for NAHON and Jewish high school students.
NAHON — the North American High School Organization Network — is the independent, nori-affiliated movement of Jewish high school students. It is the national network of Jewish students, uniting us and giving us a voice. ;
It must be recognized that problems such as assimilation do not begin hi adulthood or even on the campuses, but in high school. It is in high school where students are first forced to make the conscious decision between admitting to or denying their Judaism. It is in high school where students are being lost to rampant assimilation.
We must attack the problem at its roots.
I congratulate the CJC on their realization of this necessity and their support for NAHON and the Jewish high school students of Canada. Shawna Rose
National Chairperson, NAHON Toronto ^
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ISRAEL SAFE AND BEAUTIFUL .
My husband Harold and I spent a 6-week stay in Israel to celebrate 30 years in the travel business.
During our current visit we travelled the \yhole country from Eilat in the south to the very,north. All we saw was beautiful people. Many were praying for peace. But we feel that Israel is getting very bad press in North America. Any small incident in the territories gets coverage in the papers and on television. If journalists reported every incident in the streets of Ne\y York, Chicago and Philadelphia, there would have to be ongoing news for 24 hours a day.
In Israel, we travelled a great deal by bus * always shiepping our luggage, and without knowing any Hebrew. We managed very well,-because wherever we went we were helped. Voung people usually offered us their seats, sornething rarely seen in our hometown Montreal; and the Egged bus drivers were very helpful, directing us and helping with our luggage.
When we return we will hope and pray for peace. We will also meet with people and tell them that Israel is safe and beautiful. Rose Paul!
Montreal
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TWO FACES OF PLO
The upgrading of contacts between the Canadian government and the PLO smacl«,as much of bandwagon-ism as it does of conimon sense.
Is the olive branch that Yasser Arafat appeared to hold out a sincere attempt at peace, or are we in fact seeing another desert mirage? Notwithstanding Arafat's "recognition" of the right of the State of Israel to exist, senior spokesmen on behalf of the PLO reaffirm their commitment to an armed struggle against Israel, representatives of the PLO continue to attempt to sneak across Israel's borders, and Palestinians-who are in favour of some reconciliation with Israel continue to be intimidated.
;So the Middle East dilenuna now comprises the following:
•Has the PLO policy really changed?
•Does Arafat really represent the PLO when he claims recognition of Israel — anid if he does, should he not repeal the Palestine National Covenant which still calls for the destruction of Israel? V-^-.v;
:\» Is Arafat sincere in his unequivocal renunciation of teirrorism — and if he is, why does he declare that military operations against Israeli civilians are not covered in such renunciation?
• Why do PLO groups continue sending terrorists into Israel — and if Arafat is powerless to prevent this, does he, in fact, speak for the
PLO — and if he cannot speak for the PLO. how can he claim a place at a peace-mak'ing conference?
ft is no longer satisfactory to sittiply listen to Arafat's statements made for Western ears, but we must examine what the PLO is saying in Arabic to the Arab world. ■
For example, on December 30, 1988, Arafat's deputy Abu lyad was quoted by the Qatar News Agency as declaring that one of the PLO's new goals was to "develop the armed struggle in those areas within Palestine where it is not presently active."
The Kuwaiti newspaper Al - Siasa reported the Chairman of the Palestine National Council, Abd Al-Hamid El - Sayekh as saying, "If the PLO succeeds in establishing a state in the West Bank and Gaza, it would not prevent the continuation of the struggle until the liberation of all Palestine is achieved."
1 only hppe that Joe Clark and his Ministry are astute enough to deal with both sides of the PLO coin, now that they have agreed to upgrade contacts.
Morley S. Wolfe, Q.C. Toronto
Men of an Israeli dance troupe fly high.
BOYS (AND MEN) WANTED!
I wish to comment on the May 11 article on Rikudiyah by Elaine Kahn.
It upset me to read the heading "Rikudiyah, pretty as it was, just didn't look right." This sentence was lifted from the end of the article and, was misleading and totally out of context.
The writer is absolutely correct in her observation that there were very few boys dancing; however, as she points out, this did not spoil the joy, the togetherness and excitement of Rikudiyah. It would just be .more representative of Jewish youth if there- Were a larger number of boys.
May I add my "Yasher Koach" to the boys
who did participate. I also wish to invite the parents and the schools to encourage the boys to join in next year's celebration of "Two Decades of Rikudiyah."
There are thousands of men of all ages enjoying Israeli Folk dance in Israel. Why not here?
Teme Kernerman
Director, Rikudiyah
Jewish Community Centre
Toronto
fi///or's note: Columnists and reporters do not
write the headlines for their articles.
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TILL ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY
I enjoyed the May 25 article about my uncle. Max Sharp ("Sharp Clan Celebrates Bar Mitz-vah at Masada"), but I would be pleased if you would publish a correction.
Nathan Sharp is riot Max's only surviving brother, as the article states. My father, Louis Sharp, aged 88, is alive and well, living in .■ Toronto. ,
>    Betty Fogel (nee Sharp) Toronto
JNF MADE TRIP POSSIBLE
, Thank you very much for Stephanie Chapman's excellent article of May 25 about the educators' trip to Israel. Unfortunately however, a very important fact was omitted.
The trip was organized in conjunction with the Jewish National Fund. Without the support of JNF, the trip would never have been possible.
Among the many moving experiences during our stay in Israel was the morning that we planted trees on the hills outside Jerusalem. In the afternoon we picnicked in the Jerusalem Forest. The contrast between the young seedlings that we had planted earlier and the mature trees of the forest clearly revealed to us the invaluable work done by JNF in building the land of Israel.
I would like to express my sincere appreciation to JNF executive vice-president Michael Goldstein and Nurit Grossman, education emissary, fbrtheirefforts in making our trip a reality.
Raizel Candib
Montreal
KUDOS TO CYNTHIA
Kudos to Cynthia Gasner for her recent excellent article on the Jewish Chapter of the Canadian Diabetes Association, Toronto and District Branch.   ' ■; ■
The many inquiries we have since received prove that there is strong interest and awareness in the comrnunity — coping with the problems of living with diabetes is an everpresent concern, —Our chapter wUleontiriue to provide education, guidance and support to those who need and want ■jt. ■'■ .'■ '
Shirley Glatt
Secretary, Jewish Chapter WiUowdale, Ontr