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Photos from the ADL Protest
By Michael Weiss / September 7, 2007
Just got back from the ADL protest an hour or so ago. I'll have a more comprehensive post about the event tomorrow, but suffice it to say, it came off remarkably well. I was very proud to be an editor of this magazine tonight, and even prouder to call Joey Kurtzman — who brought the bulk of the media attention to this scandal — a friend and co-thinker.
Mobius (formerly)* of Jewschool was there and took photos. Some below, more here.
* See Jewcy's official press release for the protest * Check our always up-to-date list of Jewcy's posts on the ADL/Armenian Genocide issue
I meant formerly, yes. But can you ever really leave Jewschool?
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Dear Jewish Brothers and Sisters from Israel and around the world,
My name is Benjamin Kasparian and i am from Marseilles, France.
I am a grandson of survivors of the Armenian genocide.
When I went to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem five years ago, I was as moved as in Yerevan when I went to Tsitsernagapert, the memorial dedicated to the martyrs of the Armenian genocide. What the descendants of the Shoah victims feel, the descendants of Armenian genocide victims feel it too. I mean sadness, melancholy and injustice.
While Germany officially recognized the Jewish Holocaust, Turkey still denies the Armenian genocide, maintains a negationnist policy and spreads it throughout the world. This is the reason why the descendants of Armenian genocide victims fight for the recognition of the Armenian genocide all over the world.
During the Armenian genocide, more than 1.5 million of Armenian civilians were deported, tortured, raped, massacred, ripped up and beheaded by the Turkish armed forces.
The Armenian genocide has been recognized so far by the United Nations, the European Parliament, the Council of Europe and many states such as Armenia, France, Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania, Russia, Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Canada, Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Venezuela and the Vatican City. Moreover, 40 states of the USA, the Australian state of New South Wales and the greatest historians in the world have recognized it too.
It is important to remind that Yona Metzger, Chief Rabbi of Israel, acknowledged the Armenian genocide during his visit to Armenia in November 2005.
I am surprised to notice that the State of Israel has not recognized the Armenian genocide yet because the State of Israel was founded by survivors of another genocide, the Jewish Holocaust.
In France, Jewish and Armenian organizations actively cooperate against negationism.
I can not help thinking of one of Hitler’s most terrible statements. “Who remembers the extermination of the Armenians ?” he asked, “Who will remember the Jews ?”. And the annihilation of 6 million Jews by the Nazis soon followed. If the International Community had condemned the Armenian genocide, the Jewish Holocaust could have been avoided.
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Sincerely,
Benjamin Kasparian.
Here it is
Believe it or not, that's Armenian for "Thanks!" And although I'm not exactly a fluent speaker of my ancestral tongue, I couldn't think of a better way to express my support for Joey and the rest of the intrepid gang at Jewcy.
By challenging and discrediting the the number one hypocrite in your community, you've helped cleanse the air. The ogre doesn't even have to resign, though we still hope that he will; the fact that you have his number (and have made sure he knows it) is victory enough for now.
You're a brave bunch, and I want to let you know how much I appreciate your efforts to joust at evil wherever you find it.
Rick Bayan
The New Moderate
ADL’s Abe Foxman Picketed At The 92nd Street Y
http://www.bloggernews.net/19997
It fills my heart with pride to see Jewcy,Joey, Eli and Michael take a stand on this issue. You should all be so proud of yourselves.
After doing some research on the Armenian Genocide and taking a look at the Turkish author Tanner Ackam’s book where he actually relies on Turkish sources and documents to establish that this clearly was a genocide, I am embarrassed that our politicians will not take a stand on this. Doesn’t anyone get it???? All Turkey does is go around threatening other countries and people. They warn the ADL and Israel…”watch out….there are many Jews in Turkey who will be at risk if you acknowledge the Armenian Genocide”…they threaten the US…”Be good…..or we won’t be your friend anymore (some “friend” huh??)” Why can’t anyone see that this Turkey has not changed its colors; once a bully, always a bully. Turkey is no friend of the Israel and is no friend of the US. Let’s be real….they hate each and every one of us…we are infidels in their eyes.
Anyway, BRAVO to Jewcy and company for all you have done to bring this issue to the limelight. You are some fantastic people. You have my utmost respect!!!
Thank you.
Jewcy staff and readers, you are making history. This is the first time EVER that a predominantly Jewish organization has taken the lead to protest against denial of the Armenian Genocide. This puts you in the company of the many righteous and selfless Jews who have stood up for the Armenian people and who have positively touched our lives and history during and after the Genocide. Neeless to say, it is very touching for me, an Armenian-American, to see this sort of solidarity between two underdogs, both of them being small, repeatedly traumatized, yet resilient communities.
When I read the kinds of overt threats that come from the Turkish government and the Turkish people against both of our nations and communities, I wonder how long it will be before Armenians and Jews, as well as Armenia and Israel, say enough is enough. Go screw yourself Turkey! We are not going to be pushed around and bullied by you or anyone else any more. I look forward to that day!
Also, regarding Islam, although you rarely hear Armenians blaming Islam or Muslims for the hardships heaped on our people over the centuries, there should be no doubt that Armenians understand the threat and the level of damage that is possible. We understand very well how easy it is to rally Muslim people against the “Infidel” and the “Gavur”. In fact, to date, no Christian or Jewish community in the world understands this and has suffered in greater magnitude from it than the Armenian people. One third of our world population was eliminated from this Earth with the help of the “Infidel” concept. I think it is important for Jewish people to understand this about us.
Boy, it sure takes a lot of guts to protest at the 92nd St. Y. I
once joined a protest there myself back in the day, and let me tell you, I was personally victimized by a lot of establishment hatred. And when I say "establishment hatred," I mean waves and greetings from Y members and staff. That place sure does quake in the face of a little communal interest and controversy.Â
The real risk you faced is having to decline the program director's invitation to participate in a panel discussion they can market to the "young, artistic and activist types."
 Tell us the truth — did the marketing manager come out with Y brochures with 'appropriate' events circled for your consideration?Â
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Did the news media cover the event, including any television stations?
Thanks for doing this! I was hoping you’d have pictures!
The first thing I did this morning was logon and see if you guys had posted anything about the protest.  Thanks to Mobius, I got to BE there.Â
You guys are awesome! Keep up the good work.
But I was sitting here in Memphis, TN, dealing with my own share of denialists …
CONGRATULATIONS and THANKS to all !!!
Awesome! Congratulations, guys, brokenhearted I wasn´t there. Eli's placard is priceless, Michael looks like he´s ready to address the UN, Tahl looks like he's ready to light himself on fire to get Foxman canned. Beautiful. Thanks for the pics, Mobius.
Back stateside soon.
formerly of jewschool
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