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Günter Grass, German Nobel Prize winner and author of the recent controversial poem criticizing Israel, “What Must Be Said“
Günter Grass, German Nobel Prize winner and author of the recent controversial poem criticizing Israel, “What Must Be Said“
Günter Grass; What Must Be Said – YouTube (3.31 mins.)
On April 4, 2012, 84-year-old German writer and Nobel literature prizewinner Günter Grass published his poem: “What Must Be Said” (“Was gesagt werden muss”) in several European newspapers. In this poem Grass expressed concern that an Israeli military strike against Iran could “wipe out the people of Iran”.
In response, Israel declared him persona non grata. In fact, they went ballistic.
Why is it that a country claiming to be “the only democracy in the Middle East” cannot tolerate criticism?
Günter Grass was referred to as a “Nazi” and – surprise, surprise! – anti-Semitic.
Though the German writer had been drafted into the German army toward the end of the war, age 14, was assigned to a tank division and had not served at any prison camps. Moreover, there is nothing anti-Semitic whatsoever about his poem — unless you want to call the truth ‘anti-Semitic’.
Günter Grass is talking about Israel’s mighty nuclear arsenal and the danger it poses for world peace. He criticizes Germany for providing Israel with a submarine from which nukes can be launched. As a German, he doesn’t want to be held responsible for a nuclear war. That is perfectly legitimate.
It is quite bizarre that an Israeli group of writers should send a letter on April 11th to the Swedish Academy in charge of selecting laureates for the Nobel Prize in Literature, demanding that the earlier award given to Günter Grass be revoked. To their credit, the Academy refused.
This is by no means the first time Israel has acted with hostility towards it critics. Not so long ago, true humanists like Dr Norman Finkelstein and Professor Noam Chomsky had each received a ten year ban from entering Israel. Strong critics of Israeli policy toward the Palestinians, Finkelstein and Chomsly have been vilified as “self-hating Jews.”
Keep in mind that Palestinians who live under the Occupation are often shot at or sent to jail for resisting the occupation and/or protesting the theft of their land and the separation wall erected by Israel.
When the International Court of Justice ruled in 2004 that the “security wall” being built around the West Bank was illegal and should be pulled down, adding that it infringed the rights of Palestinians and that Israel should pay compensation for the damage it had done in building it, Israel openly flouted the court’s ruling. Nothing new here.
- THE APARTHEID WALL…a cheap device for stealing more Palestinian land …in flagrant violation of international law.
Another case worth nothing is that of Mordechai Vanunu. An Israeli citizen banned from leaving the country for the last nine years, as well as prohibited from having contact with any foreign nationals or foreign media, Mr. Vanunu was kidnapped from Rome by Israeli Mossad agents in 1996 and was smuggled into Israel where he was sentenced to 18 years in prison.
His only crime, according to American author Eileen Fleming, was “telling the truth and providing photographic proof to the London Sunday Times of Israel’s seven-story underground WMD facility in Negev”.
A few months after his release in 2004, Vanunu was re-arrested on Christmas Eve for attempting to celebrate his first Christmas out of prison at the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem.
As I am writing this, up to 1,500 activists from Europe and North America who had been planning to travel to Israel have been prevented from doing so, They had planned to go straight from Ben Gurion airport to Tel Aviv, and then on to Bethlehem in Palestine, for a week-long program of educational and cultural activities under the banner of ” Welcome to Palestine”. But no, Israel regarded this as a “threat to peace” and stopped them showing their sympathy for the Palestinians.
The latest news is that the Israeli military has deployed 600 soldiers at the airport near Tel Aviv and turned it into a military compound, with one section of the airport set up as a prison camp. Israel submittted a “black list” to various airlines of 342 participants from the ages of 9 to 83 to prevent them from boarding planes, thus sparking huge protests in several international airports.
As of this hour, 50 French peace activists and 9 Israeli citizens are behind bars.
The orgainizers of the event, who are mainly French and Belgian citizens, accused Israel of high-handed and hysterical behavior — indeed of paranoia. As she has demonstared often enough before, Israel is all too willing to detain people who have committed no crime.
All that visitors to Israel need to do to end up behind bars is to declare that their object in traveling to Israel is to visit the Palestinians.
- Israeli activist…she is breaking the law in Israel for holding up this sign…the smile will soon be wiped off her face as an IDF officer moves in on her with his truncheon.
Israel is perhaps the only “democracy” in the world in which no one has any rights whatsoever except Jews. But the Israeli woman above, though a Jew, does not have the right to express sympathy for the Palestinian cause.
- Another peace activivist led away by IDF officers at Ben Gurion airport (April 15) for the crime of showing sympathy for the Palestinian cause — and for an end to land theft, occupation, and the slow and systematic genocide of the Palestinians.
If you are an Arab citizen of Israel, you have second-class rights and have to put up with constant discrimination.
If you are a Palestinian, you have no rights at all and you are subjected to constant harassment, persecution, and the possibility of sudden death.
Finally, if you are a visitor to Israel, you have no rights whatever if you show the slightest sympathy for the Palestinians. You will either be deported at once or thrown into prison.
- A passenger at Brussels airport, threatened by a security guard two days ago (April 15) for wishing to fly to Israel in order to protest against Israel’s ongoing ill-treatment of the Palestinians.
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POLICE BRUTALITY…IDF OFFICER CAUGHT ON FILM HITTING PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST IN THE FACE IN THE JORDAN VALLEY TWO DAYS AGO. (The picture seems to have been “doctored” so that you can’t see the instrument used to smash the Danish activist in the face: a rifle butt.) THE IDF OFFICER HAS BEEN SUSPENED PENDING AN “INVESTIGATION”… BUT ALREADY PROMINENT RABBIS AND MILITARY OFFICERS HAVE SPRUNG TO THIS VIOLENT THUG’S DEFENSE, DEMANDING HIS EXONERATION AND REINSTATEMENT.
POLICE BRUTALITY…IDF OFFICER CAUGHT ON FILM HITTING PRO-PALESTINIAN ACTIVIST IN THE FACE IN THE JORDAN VALLEY TWO DAYS AGO. (The picture seems to have been “doctored” so that you can’t see the instrument used to smash the Danish activist in the face: a rifle butt.) THE IDF OFFICER HAS BEEN SUSPENED PENDING AN “INVESTIGATION”… BUT ALREADY PROMINENT RABBIS AND MILITARY OFFICERS HAVE SPRUNG TO THIS VIOLENT THUG’S DEFENSE, DEMANDING HIS EXONERATION AND REINSTATEMENT.
So much for “the only democracy in the Middle East” where violence and brutality is a feature of daily life if you happen to be a Palestinian — and indeed, if you happen to be a foreign visitor to Israel who sympathizes with the Palestinians.
How does the “only democracy in the Mid-East” react to free speech? With rifle to the face of protestor by brave Isreallyhelli soldier
(jewtube is already moving to censor English version of video, thus French version)
Airflotilla2 :Un officier israélien frappe au visage un militant pro-palestinien, Tsahal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj0WUF_1rAo
Remember Helen Thomas, the former White House reporter for over five decades, who had the gutts to tell the Jewish settlers “to get the Hell out of Palestine and return to their native western countries.
Well, she also said later that “you cannot criticize Israel in the United States”.
http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2010/10/13/helen-thomas-u-cant-criticize-israel-in-the-us/
Here is my old enemy Mahmoud El-Yousseph saying bad things about the Jews again! What a lost soul this is, spreading his wicked lies all over the world.
Anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism. We all know that. Criticism of Israel could lead to another Holocaust.
All these silly “peace activists”, I am sure, have “ideals” and think they are doing good.
If only they knew.
They are stoking the ovens of a new Auschwitz.
Ruth, stop being in denial. Me telling lies about Jews? Everything I said is fact supported by the images provided by Lasha. Pictures don’t lie!
Even your Benji Nathenyahoo pretended to condemn the action of IOF officer who struck a Danish peace activit on the face with his M-16. Those IOF are savages and barbaric.
Now you are putting a curse on Lasha for presenting the proof?
I hope yourYahweh forbid you of having any children. So they do not turn to be thieves and baby killers.
How do you go to sleep at night with clear conscious after supporting those atrocities and crimes committed against innocent people by your beloved country?
FYI, now one of Israeli minster did admit that the President of Iran NEVER said, “Israel should be wiped out from the face of the earth. You repeated this lie frequently on this site and on TUT. You acted as an Israeli mouth-piece!
How about a genuine and sincere apology?
Ruth, offensive, dishonest Holocaust rhetoric will not help you achieve that end, nor will it keep Israel safe. It will only serve those question Israel’s repressive policies and disgrace the memory of those you claim to honor.
Whatever your politic or your thoughts on Israel position in the Middle East, denying thousands of Westerns activists to visit Palestine is rotten and dead wrong. Those brave people deserve , at the very least, genuine respect and deep humility.
By you insisting in turning the Holocaust into the center piece of the Israeli nartive, by stating; these visitor to Palestine are stoking the oven of a new Auschwitz, you are really cheapening the memories of the victims.
You keep forgetting that Israeli is the fifth powerful country in the world. You ignore the facts that Israel has stockpiles of several hundred nukes and other WMD. No other country in the Middle East does. So how on earth visitors to Palesine threaten the security of Israel or Jewish people. Unless Israel is something to hide from these people. Such as its mistreatment and abuse of Palestinian on a daily bases. Such as: humiliation at checkpoint, home demolition, land theft, and midnight raids to name few. That is what Israel afraid of . An eyewitness to her crime against indigenous Palestinians.
I have more respect to the young smiling Israeli activist in this post who is proudly carrying a sign that reads, ” welocme to Palesine” than pipe dream propagandist. You are on the wrong side of history. It is about time for you to switch sides and cross over. You should liberate yourself evil control, before you can claim you wanted the people in the Middle East be liberated.
I find the pictures and captions here particularly offensive. I’m glad that Mahmoud, whom I regard with some reluctant tenderness and affection, is not responsible for these dreadful pictures and their obscene captions. For this we have to thank the demonic Ms Darkmoon.
I shudder to think what tortures God has designed for this evil bitch in hell. I hope she is roasted on spits of fire forever and her liver eaten by red-eyed vultures for all eternity. That will teach her a lesson.
Mahmoud, be careful, or this could be your fate too!
Mahmoud, well done! Another splendid article! More please from your inspired pen!
Ms Darkmoon, you have chosen the perfect pictures. Mahmoud is lucky to have you as his illustrator.
Ruth, stand in the corner and wear the dunce’s cap! Your silly comments are always good for a laugh. You are either a fool or a knave. Possibly both!
Remember that Ruth says she regards Mahmoud with “some tenderness and affection.” So how can she be “a fool or a knave”? Are you suggesting she is foolish and wicked to have a soft spot for Mahmoud?
Ha ha, very funny! I think if Ruth has a soft spot for Mahmoud, he’d better watch out! I hear she’s 6’6″ tall and spends her time throwing stones at lions in the zoo. Not the kind of gal a good Muslim would wish to know!
No, thank you Berenice. I get a much better one allready.
If I was single and available, I would rather choose Cruella De Vil instead.
I have to confess though, I did propose once to Ruth few years ago. She turned me down.
That was on April Fool Day.
Sardonicus , thanks. Stay tuned my friend!
Yes, I am lucky but also proud of Ms. Darkmoon as my illustrator. Couldn’t ask for a better one.
Have to laugh about your “dunce cap” reference. Atcully, this is a paper cone shape hat, which the schools in the past used them
as a punishement on lazy a disturputive students.
I’m grateful that Gunter Grass stood up for the truth, that is, named the name of which country is armed with nuclear weapons and which country is threatening peace. I’m grateful for everyone who takes a stand for peace. I’m always doubtful, though, that anything makes a difference with the neo-con driven war machine, which apparently has taken over Germany as well as the U.S. Something is wrong with the neo-con brain; they’re such maniacs for Israel which in their estimation is ALWAYS right. How did the U.S. and German governments catch the disease of “maniacs for Israel?” A lot of people have this disease and I’ll never understand. So, the IDF crushes a village of farm houses and drives the sheperds from their land, and the maniacs for Israel grunt with satisfaction—see, they get what they deserve for throwing a rock at a soldier who killed their mother, or imprisoned their brother, or beat up their father with the butt of a gun… Maniacs for Israel love to promote bombing Iran. They make the chant of bombing Iran into rock songs… Can poetry and poets combat them? Poetry will outlive them if that is any consolation, but we still are left with despair when confronted daily by the maniacs and fearful of what they will do next.
Don’t be surprised if Beate Klarsfeld is voted in as the next President of Germany. Her qualification is that she is a Jewish Nazi witch hunter who became famous for tracking down Nazi official Klaus Barbie in Bolivia where he was working for German intelligence BND and CIA with the help of Israeli Mossad…..
http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2012/02/29/german-presidency-and-the-israeli-factor/
Kapoore,
The maniacs are in charge of the asylum. You and I are the patients. My one consolation is that I have my own padded cell. And my straitjacket helps to keep me warm in the sub-zero temperatures.
Hey Kafka, turn down the volume on the torture music!
I think you’ve just caturped the answer perfectly
I have no trouble believing that Osama bin Laden did 9/11. Imagine my horror when I learned today that this evil man had a porn addiction to camels. Camels!
http://thewackydeli.com/osamacamels
How can you make such anti-Semitic remark about Obama who has Jewish roots from his mother side – and one of his wife’s cousin is an African Rabbi in the US??
When Senator Barack H. Obama was campaigning for the White House, former Jewish Congressman and judge from Chicago, Abner Mikvaner, had said: “I think when it is all over, people are going to say that Barack Obama is the first Jewish President”……
http://rehmat1.wordpress.com/2011/04/06/obama-jewish-president-messiah-or-g-d/
Ruth, pictures of dead people don’t lie. The link to the image provided on tv screen is docotred, and was
not the original one provided by DOD. Now the DOD claim they have no evidance from that stagged operation in Paskistan.
Never the less, here is an image from TUT where you and I met first. Hope this will not turn you on, Miss. Cruella DE Vill!
Israeli forensic institute to bury 8,000 jars of tissue in mass graves
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 15, 2012
i 3 Votes
New program, ‘An Honorable Burial,’ will bury tissues, organs left over from autopsies and operations carried out at the institute since 2000.
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4 Comments
Norwegian terrorist Breivik to claim “self-defense“ at trial
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 14, 2012
i 1 Vote
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21 Comments
US Attempting to Trigger Color Revolution in Pakistan
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 14, 2012
i 1 Vote
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3 Comments
Gandhi On Jews And Hitler
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 14, 2012
i 6 Votes
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Russian Warships to Patrol Syrian Coast
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 14, 2012
i 7 Votes
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9 Comments
Russia must stay “combat ready” – Orthodox Church
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 7 Votes
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13 Comments
Obama’s End? Israel Supports Romney
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 4 Votes
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Clinton Overrules Republican Lawmaker’s Hold on Palestinian Aid
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i 1 Vote
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How Neocons Sank Iran Nuke Deal
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i 2 Votes
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What’s goin’ on at the Turkish-Syrian border?
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i 3 Votes
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Expect War. It’s Coming
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 5 Votes
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The Full Court Press on Iran: John Hagee, Franklin Graham, Press TV Bans, and the Hispan TV Affair
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 4 Votes
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9 Comments
Scum of the Earth, Blood Hungry for the Kill
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 8 Votes
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14 Comments
Israeli group wants ‘flytilla’ activists put on trial
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 1 Vote
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Obama threatens more Iran sanctions if talks fail
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 2 Votes
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Turkey says NATO has duty to defend Syrian border
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 2 Votes
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Israeli ambassador to New York Times: ‘Netanyahu does not interfere’ in U.S. elections
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 13, 2012
i 1 Vote
Michael Oren, Israel’s ambassador in Washington, submits letter to the editor to NYT, complaining about article detailing the close relationship between Netanyahu and likely Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney.
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The Babylonian Captivity of Washington
Posted by crescentandcross in Uncategorized on April 12, 2012
i 4 Votes
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Ruth, as I said before, the links you provided from the wackydeli site is fake. I should ad the image on tv at OBL compound is disgusting and racist to the core.
I have seen the original one released by the DOD. Here it is again from the Guardian/ UK.
If you can not win an argument in an honest debate, you turn into tricks and deception. That is two strikes against you so far. Frist one in case you forget was about the African lion.
Finally, why would a devout religious man with THREE WIVES would have porn addiction to camels? You have tendency to create something out of nothing.
I think you owe the readers here an explanation and an apology.
here is the links provided the respectable journal-The Guardian/UK
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/27/images-osama-bin-laden-killing
I get where Ruth is coming from because I know a lot of people that live in that bubble. They happily send their kids off to Israel where the kids ponder whether or not they will become Israelis. It’s a big party scene over there for American kids. They party for a couple of years and then eventually have to come home because there is no work or no apartment or whatever. In that bubble the Holocaust is on everyones mind, a constant source of angst and anger–how could they make lampshades of people’s skin and march mothers off to the gas chamber while their babies are ripped from their arms screaming. It’s a bubble and it’s a movie. What they don’t see from their bubble is the soap opera element, the rerun element, the fabrication element, and the corpse lined consequences of their blindness to reality. And if those American/Israeli party animals ever get really successful then they become maniacs for Israel and join some think tank funded by the rip off team on wall street.