More Fallout from Armenian Genocide Controversy

The Boston Globe reports this morning that two members of the ADL New England Region Board of Directors have resigned following the firing of Region Executive Director Andrew Tarsy.

Former Polaroid Corp. Chairman Stewart Cohen and Boston City Councillor Michael Ross resigned yesterday from the board. According to the Globe, they said that

They could no longer be part of an organization with national leaders who refused to acknowledge the Armenian genocide and fired regional director, Andrew H. Tarsy, on Friday for taking a position in support of Armenian-Americans.

More resignations are possible at this point. As TER noted yesterday,

The firing of Tarsy is bound to become very controversial within the American Jewish community. As this observer has stated previously, mainstream Jewish opinion favors standing with the Armenian community on recognition of the genocide...This controversy has not yet run its course.

In a related note, a reader has communicated with TER in an attempt to present a Turkish view of the controversy - see the comment here. This observer finds the presentation unimpressive. With the long litany of facts presented, the basic fact remains that 1.5 million Armenians died under the control of the Ottoman Empire. It seems to this observer that the very best that those who question the term "genocide" can say is that the Ottoman Empire committed "negligent genocide" rather than "first-degree genocide." Does this distinction really matter? Does it remove the stain of responsibility from the Ottoman Empire?

The United States interned 120,000 Japanese-Americans during World War II. The justification for this action - like that of the Ottoman Empire in World War I - was concern about a potential "fifth column" in time of war. This internment was - and is - a foul stain on American history. Americans - and the American government - have acknowledged it to be such. Turkey should similarly take historic responsibility for its actions 90 years ago. This is truly the the only way for all parties to move forward.

UPDATE, August 21: The Boston Globe reports that Jewish groups in New England, including the Combined Jewish Philanthopies, have signed a letter to the Anti-Defamation League urging the national organization to change its position on the Armenian Genocide.

According to the Globe, the letter says that "We must never forget the Armenian genocide and maintain our guard against those who deny its occurrence." Nancy Kaufman, Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Boston, drafted the letter and reportedly sent it to "some 40 prominent Jewish leaders in Massachusetts, asking them to support the ousted director (Andrew Tarsy) and to recognize the genocide against Armenians."

Kaufman was quoted as saying

I have never gotten such unanimous support for any position by the JCRC as I have in the last few days on this one. It doesn't matter where people are on the political spectrum -- left, right, middle -- people are really standing behind this because it strikes at the core of what it means to be a Jew and never again means never again.

UPDATE, August 22: Abraham Foxman, national Director of the ADL, has changed his position and has publicly acknowledged the Armenian Genocide. He has not commented on whether Tarsy would be reinstated or whether ADL would support the congressional resolution that recognizes the Genocide.

Comments

[M.Takman]

They have started the killing and turned against their own neighbors and massacring many women and children left alone at their houses since the all the Turkish man was in a war fighting outside forces trying to destroy Turks,
they even go so far to blame this on Jews and accusing Talat Pasa and his Jewish heritage.
it was a war and Armenians lost , simple is that.
Israel and Turks are long standing allies, and they face similar threats in the region.
all the Jews who know who is a foe and who is a friend with the exception of few that includes Congressman Adam Shift who takes money form Armenian lobby,
If Armenians had a chance they will do everything in their power to harm Jewish people.
I met many of them they, have always talk against the Jews in Los Angeles Diamond district
they are very antisemitic
lets get real .
Thank you
Turkish Jew
M.Takman

[Mrs. Erkin baker]

To compare the holocaust of the Jews to the tragic events that befell the Armenians (as well as to the Turks) during and after World War I is similar to comparing apples to oranges.

In Europe, before and during WW I, the Jews did not have an army; they did not want land from the Germans; they did not attack German villages and kill their neighbors. The Armenians did all that.

It is also "comparing apples to oranges" when one draws parallels with the relocation of the Japanese-Americans and the relocation of the Turkish-Armenians. Again, the Japanese Americans here did not have an army; they did not attack our towns, and they did not cause damage to life, limb, or property. They were interned only on the suspicion that they might be collaborators.

Let's also remember the scores of the Turkish diplomats that were assassinated by Armenian terrorists in the United States, Canada, and Europe. These murders took place in the 1970's and 1980's.

Mrs. Erkin Baker

[Dave]

The term Genocide was coined by Jewish American Raphael Lemkin who was researching the Armenian genocide by Turkey.

The above two commentors are actually following the exact steps used by Holocaust deniers outlined by Samantha Powers.

Mrs. Erkin Barker's comment is quite twisted. Actually since many prminet Jews oppsed Nazi GErmany during war time (thankfully) and aided their enemies such as Great Britain and the US, I assume she feels the GErmans were jsutified in Antisemtic measures?

Of course not, but the Armenians reacted AFTER they were being massacred and ethnically cleansed. And by the way were the tens of thousands of dead Armenian babies, grandmothers, etc "insurrectionists"?

The dozen Turkish diplomats -- and actual bloody handed genocide implementors like the infamous Talat Pasha killed by Armenian squads was emulated by Jewish quads who (thankfully found and killed a number of Holocaust implimentors).

If "M.Takman" is indeed a Jew he/she already hates everything to do with the Charters of the ADL, and indeed the principals of Judaism with his/her bizzare racist rant.

Mr. Talkman the Armenians and the Jews in America are actually very close. If hatred exists in Turkey yet does NOT exist ONE BIT in the US, or France or anywhere where there are large populations of close friends -- you ought to ask yourself what is the cause of animosity you witness between minorities in Turkey? It is the horrid treatment of the Dhimmi communities. Your rant is caused by your environment of hate in Turkey!