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The Holocaust is Over; We Must Rise from Its Ashes Hardcover – 24 October 2008
by Avraham Burg (Author)
4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars (24)
Modern day Israel, and the Jewish community, is strongly influenced by the memory and horrors of Hitler and the Holocaust. Burg argues that the Jewish nation has been traumatized and has lost the ability to trust itself, its neighbors or the world around it. He shows that this is one of the causes for the growing nationalism and violence that are plaguing Israeli society and reverberating through Jewish communities worldwide. Burg uses his own intimate family history to inform his innovative views on what the Jewish people need to do to move on and eventually live in peace with their Arab neighbors and feel comfortable in world at large. Thought-provoking, compelling, and original, this book is bound to spark a heated debate around the world.
We Must Rise from Its
===
Review
'Short of being Prime Minister, Burg could not be higher in the Zionist establishment.' - David Remnick, The New Yorker
'...a compelling mix of polemic, personal memoir, homage to his parents and meditation on Judaism.' - Donald Macintyre, The Independent
'This is an important book by a very courageous man... In Burg's view Israel must move beyond Hitler's poisoned legacy; Jews and Israelis must stop invoking the memory of the Holocaust in paranoid self-justification at every turn. If they cannot or will not do this, the Middle East will never see peace and Israel has no future.' - Tony Judt, bestselling author of Postwar: A History of Europe Since 1945 and Professor at New York University
'This fascinating and thought-provoking book should be read by every person who cares about Israel. Burg's central theme is that Israeli leaders use the memory of the Holocaust in ways that are warping the country's soul, creating unnecessary fear, and making it impossible to achieve peace with the Palestinians.' - John J. Mearsheimer, bestselling author of The Israel Lobby and US Foreign Policy and Professor of Political Science at the University of Chicago
'It is by turns incisive and hard-hitting...It is also extremely important.' - The Jewish Daily Forward
===
About the Author
AVRAHAM BURG is the former Speaker of the Knesset in Israel (1999-2003). He has been active in politics as a leader in the Labour Party and the One Israel party. His article in The Guardian called 'The End of Zionism' was widely read and debated. He lives with his wife in Nataf, a small village outside Jerusalem.
Product details
Publisher : Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date : 24 October 2008
Language : English
Print length : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 0230607527
About the Author
AVRAHAM BURG is the former Speaker of the Knesset in Israel (1999-2003). He has been active in politics as a leader in the Labour Party and the One Israel party. His article in The Guardian called 'The End of Zionism' was widely read and debated. He lives with his wife in Nataf, a small village outside Jerusalem.
Product details
Publisher : Palgrave Macmillan
Publication date : 24 October 2008
Language : English
Print length : 272 pages
ISBN-10 : 0230607527
===
===
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From other countries
Jo Walton
5.0 out of 5 stars A brave and courageous book
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 7 March 2009
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Avraham Burg has been brave enough to put down in words for all to see his views on the way that Israel uses the Holocaust in many ways to create identity and to justify many of its actions. He asserts that rather than use the Holocaust as an exucse for victimhood and backward looking thinking, it can be used to build peace with neighbours and the lessons learned from it to be used to a positive effect rather than the negative one which since the creation of Israel acts to the detriment of Israelis, Jews worldwide and Palestinians.He speaks of Judaism as it ought to be, as a religion of strong ethics and human rights. His writing is very powerful indeed and for that reason I am keeping this review simple as I cannot express myself in a way that can do this book justice. Read it and you will see for yourself.
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Abu al-Sous
5.0 out of 5 stars Challenges Zionist Taboos To The Core
Reviewed in the United States on 22 March 2010
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
This great book is written for Jews, Zionists and Israelis, not about the Palestinian-Israeli conflict; and for sure not about Palestinians.
The central theme of this book that Jews, Israelis and Zionists have allowed the Shoah (Holocaust) to shackle them; and how the Zionist movement have effectively exploited the Shoah and its memories and its survivors for political purposes. This book really contains lots of good materials which was not known to me, such as the African Herero Genocide by the Germans and the Armenia Genocide by the Turks and how how they were the prelude to the Jewish Holocaust only couple of decades earlier. Ironically, I was amazed how little the events of the Holocaust were covered in the Zionist press (in Palestine before 1948) even as it was being executed in Europe, and how most Zionists looked down on the survivals for not fighting back. It was really shocking to me how Israelis are helping the Turks cover up the Armenian Genocide (which inspired Hitler to commit the Holocaust) and to down play the Herero Genocide when it was recognized by the world community 100 years later in 2004; in my opinion that is really shameful; the Holocaust survivors and victims deserve much better.
He clearly stated that without the Holocaust the state of Israel could not have existed. Before I read the book I used to think anti-Semitism and the Holocaust were the major causes for the state of Israel, but after I read his arguments & facts I think he is right. Without Shoah Israel could not have been founded. For example he showed that the Bunds were VERY strong in Europe and their organization was almost completely wiped out during WWII and the Holocaust. In other words, the playing field was empty post WWII and the Zionists survived because they were not in European, and that was exploited by Zionist. In the book, as well as in the 7th Million for Tom Segev, he showed that most of the Jews who fought back Pogroms in Europe were Bunds, not Zionists. Zionists wanted to leave, Bunds wanted to stay and to fight for equal rights. I was shocked to know that most of the Ghetto Warsaw Uprising was led by Bunds who were anti-Zionists at the time, and the true story was ONLY translated to Hebrew 50 years later in 2001! Ironically, Zionist now use as it is their victory; same goes to Massada!
No question about it; this book scratches many taboos in the Jewish community and will challenge them to the core. As an amateur historian; it was very helpful to me.
On the other hand, if you are a Palestinian or a supporter of the Palestinian cause; you will find this book a great great disappointment. The word "Palestinian" was not mentioned until page 50 or so and when Mr. Burg spoke about them, he lectured Palestinians on what they should and should not do, such as giving up their right of return to their homes and farms which they have been dispossessed and ethnically cleansed from. In my opinion; this tells me that deep at heart Mr. Burg is still a Zionist and he delude himself in attempting to "reform" Zionism instead of abolishing it; sadly Zionism is beyond repair and in a way this great book is a major indictment against Zionist and its supporters. The central problem with Zionists (inclusive of Mr. Burg) that they think they have the "right" to immigrate to Palestine irrespective of the wishes of the indigenous populations', no wonder how most Zionists Jews actually believe that Palestine was empty; it is easier to colonize other countries when the indigenous population simply do not exist; easily their human rights can be taken away. Mr. Burg does the same exact thing, he is acting as if we Palestinians don't exist and we should forgo our rights as if we simply not there. On top of that he is praising the defunct Geneva Accord! Mr. Burg, can you be really out of touch to this degree! Most of the Palestinians "intellectuals & politicians" who lent their names to this defunct Accord were voted out of office in West Bank and Gaza in the latest election; I guess you know what happened to them.
Mr. Burg failed to recognize that Palestinians are the most important factor needed to unlock or liberate Jews from Shoah's shackles. Palestinians are needed Mr. Burg to forgive Jews (at least the Zionists amongst them). Palestinian forgiveness is REQUIRED for Jews to move on post-Shoah; it will free them from the shackles of "The Never Again" and "The whole world is Against us" slogans. Palestinians' forgiveness is the KEY Mr. Burg and in your book they have been marginalized as if we don't exists; as if our wishes and opinions are not needed. In that respect, Mr. Burg, you really have failed to make this book a master piece; what a shame. I was really hoping that you take it to the next level
Since this book attempts to tackle taboos in the Jewish Community; that is why I will give it 5 stars, I wish I can give it 4.5, but the system in Amazon does not allow me to do so.
Finally, I have written a short article called "The Spartan Jew" (written before the release of English version of this book) which is similar to the book's main idea, but I have taken it to the next level. I hope one day it will become a book which in my opinion will complete this book.
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hannecam
5.0 out of 5 stars A voice for the silent majority of this world
Reviewed in the United States on 25 August 2010
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Avraham Burg's The Holocaust is Over... is an extraordinary contribution to a possible peace in this world.
I am german of origin. The book was sent to me by a lifelong friend. We are of the many who suffer our impotence of doing something effective about our tragic history...
I thank Avraham Burg for the metaphore of the Siamese twins... and for reminding us that "In the detention cell of humanity there is only one detainee left from the dark days, and it is Germany" and we need our Jewish brothers to release us... Perhaps by so doing many others will find the way of being released or releasing themselves from the thousand prisons we have built together to control "our very own enemies"...
Having lived in Castilian speaking countries, please remember that there are many millions who need to read your book in this language. Thank you again for dedicating your life, your experience and your knowledge to create for us all, children of Adam and Eve, new paradigms which permit us to take the responsibility in our own human hands. Hannecam.
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Roberta B.
5.0 out of 5 stars Controversial Book by a respected insider
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 March 2013
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
No real answers in the second half of this book but the beginning is an important look at the differences in the two approaches to dealing with problems inside of Israel and preserving Israel in the future. It is a powerful read written by an important man who was involved in Israeli government at the highest level for years.
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Margot Salom
4.0 out of 5 stars Courage to write the unsayable Truth
Reviewed in the United States on 10 July 2009
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
I found Avraham Burg's book exactly what I was looking for. He has made a courageous statement on the negative effects of holocaust memory on the philosophy and ethics of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. He makes the cogent point that it is time to move on from the position of 'narcisstic victimology' (not his term). He points out how Israel/Jews are seeing the Shoah (holocaust) as 'sui generis' and are deprecating some of the other 'holocausts/massacres' that have occurred in recent history. Bauer (2001,p20) states that" "the genocide of the Jews was neither better not worse than any other" In this book Burg is discussing the detrimental effects of this belief in the 'unprecedentness' of the Shoah in both Israel and the Diaspora.
Burg makes the important point in the choice of the title of the Hebrew version of his book -"Defeating Hitler" - indeed as another writer (Yehuda Elkana 1988) has stated "this is Hitler's paradoxical and tragic victory" Defeating Hitler is what it is all about.
The final chapters link the initial argument to Judaism and he propounds on "A New Judaism" in which the new prayer book (Siddur) says "You chose us with all of the nations" instead of ' You chose us above ll of the nations".
I can't speak highly enough of this book. Firstly for the courage to say the unsayable. Secondly for the insightful and skilled writing.
Margot Salom
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gillian mackichan
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent account by an ex member of the Israeli government ...
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 May 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Excellent account by an ex member of the Israeli government of how he perceives the present state of Israel
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ERH
5.0 out of 5 stars Moving Forward into Hope
Reviewed in the United States on 5 October 2013
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
A courageous book by a brave author with credentials to address this highly controversial topic. Aware that Israel has taken a wrong turn and he has devoted himself to the unpopular cause of bringing that awareness to his compatriots so that a radical change can come about. Israel must leave the past behind and take on the responsibilities of the present. Safety for Israel will not come from building fences to keep others out, it will come from opening its doors and hearts to others. It is only then that Israel will become a true part of the brotherhood of nations not as a paranoid victim of past atrocities, but as an equal partner worthy of respect and support. That would be moving forward into a future of hope and freedom rather than remaining stuck in the chains of past despair.
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Yelena Sloushch
3.0 out of 5 stars Such painful issues cannot be discussed from the bystander position
Reviewed in the United States on 29 October 2016
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Such painful issues cannot be discussed from the bystander position. The author tries to be equally distanced from any side which hardly makes him historically objective.
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robert g hamerton-kelly
5.0 out of 5 stars Humane Wisdom
Reviewed in the United States on 26 March 2013
Verified Purchase
If Burg is not yet a saint he should be (whatever the Jewish equivalent of canonization might be). My cynical soul was softened and silenced by this record of costly wisdom. Here is a murmur of faith, hope and love from the belly of the beast. We goyim are not entitled to say what Avram Burg says; but we can find relief and gratitude when a fully credentialed victim tells his fellow victims to "get over it."
This is a precious witness to the wisdom that comes from beyond the normal and justified horror and revulsion at things unspeakable. Avram Burg spoke an essential part of the unspeakable, "this too must pass" because we may not visit the "sins of the fathers" on the children forever.
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John Jacques
1.0 out of 5 stars NONSENSE ABOUT THE MIDDLE EAST
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 November 2012
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
I would recommend this item only to committed anti zionists who need more encouragement in their anti zionist fanaticism. I have thrown the book into my rubbbish bin.
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El Duende
5.0 out of 5 stars A Cri de Coeur for Troubled Times
Reviewed in the United States on 14 January 2009
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Burg, whose Jewish and Israeli pedigrees are impeccable asks Zionists and his country to put aside the Shoah industry and become less like the Nazis and more like univeralist, humanitarian people of the Book.
Burg's father served on the first Knesset, Avraham served more that once in the Israeli Cabinet and in the Knesset.
This presents an opportunity to hear this modern prophet give permission to rational people to disagree with the colonial character of the new Israel...and not be labeled Anti-Semites.
I have, along with my many fellow Jews, mailed hundreds of this book to Zionist imperialist Officials in Israel.
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Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars This is an excellent book and should be read by everyone who is ...
Reviewed in the United States on 2 August 2018
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
This is an excellent book and should be read by everyone who is concerned with peace in the Middle East and justice for the Palestinians. The author speaks with authority, having been a member of the Israeli Knesset. He is very much aware that Israel has turned in the wrong direction by continuing to look at themselves as victims. Times have changed since the holocaust. Though it should never be forgotten, Israel must learn to trust others and look at themselves as one in a family of nations. If they believe that they have been chosen by God, let this choice be this: that they should be an example of tolerance for everyone. Their concern should be for all who have suffered and are still suffering, not just for those who by accident of birth happen to be Jewish. The injustices they have committed against the Palestinians should be repaired so that may learn to live together peacefully as sons of Abraham. The author has a fervent wish: that Israel would propagate "a religion of peace for the benefit of the entire world." He sees its present policies as "an evil growth that climbs like ivy on our tree of life and threaten to asphyxiate it."
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Joschka
5.0 out of 5 stars Every Jew should read this book for an honest look at what Zionism has wrought - Burg was THERE when it was happening!
Reviewed in the United States on 24 April 2018
Format: KindleVerified Purchase
Burg, despite how high he rose in the Israeli government, has managed in the final chapter, the throw caution to the wind and tell us what he really believes.
After skirting the ugly truth almost to the end, he finally let loose with the ugly facts.
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thomas e.
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 22 June 2015
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
Quality book in fine condition delivered in a timely way. Thanks.
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Bernice L. Youtz
5.0 out of 5 stars a must read
Reviewed in the United States on 22 June 2009
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
A remarkable book, written by one with impeccable Israeli, Jewish credentials, should be read by everyone who cares about this part of the world. Bernice L. Youtz
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Anonymous
5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
Reviewed in the United States on 6 December 2016
Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 24 reviews
Joeji
88 reviews12 followers
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August 21, 2010
An important book on an important and often avoided topic: How is the Holocaust used to justify injustice? Burg mainly argues that the inability to move past the Holocaust (that is, the inability of the state of Israel to not compare everything to the Holocaust, or make every crisis an urgent existential threat) stymies the ability of Israel to be a "light unto the nations."
While I agree with many tenets of Burg's ideas, I'm bothered by his inability to land on the fact that the Holocaust is often used to direct Israeli policy in the Occupation, shield it from international criticism, and wage a disasterous militant foreign policy. There are moments where this peaks through - but overall, it's ironic that while he decries the crime of "holocaust denial", regarding Israel's puposeful denial of the Armenian genocide, and Israeli policy in the Balkans that ran counter to world opinion, he hardly utters the words, "Palestinian," "the Nakba," "the Occupation," and makes somewhat apologetic statements for Israeli violence. An example of this is while he is decrying Israel's inability to be the center for a humanistic Judaism, and a universalist nation, he talks about the violence of suicide bombers, terrorists, while mentioning a militant culture. It's passive enough that it seems like he's blaming the Palestinians for an inability to be humanistic as well, while showing that despite his deep reading of the racist elements of an Israeli society that claims genocide and tragedy as it's sole property, he may blame the Palestinians for their lack of a state. At least, passively, like his treatment of them throughout the book.
Maybe not, but because his shrillness that vacillates between condemnation of current Israeli policies and a love for his definition of Zionism, it's hard to peg where he lands on the issue that he doesn't dissect, but which the book is ultimately (and secretly) about.
2 likes
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Zefyr
264 reviews15 followers
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December 3, 2012
Tense book that felt like reading on eggshells. Burg pulls a lot of punches but I feel that this was done in a way intended to reach people where that is simply necessary. Note the "we" in the title - it's written for people who have been raised in the shadows of trauma, raised by people with numbers on their arms, or by their absences. Reading between lines, there's also the narrative of communicating with, around and through trauma survivors, attempting to get beyond it rather than to learn how to live strongly within it. Worthwhile read.
When it comes to humans killing humans, people—namely you and I—must take a stand beside one of the parties. Who is right? Who is our ally? Who is our enemy? Very often people do not have a clear position on their immediate reality, so how can humans be expected to form an opinion regarding the reality of other people so distant from their hearts and minds? When we must take a position in other people's politics, we must also be introspective, look honestly at ourselves and take the same moral stand regarding the evil among us. This proves to be too much. Our evil, it turns out, is at the very base of our convenient lives. It has taken years for us to reach this state of comfort and we are not going to give up just like that. Thus our indifference becomes complacency: Let's not take sides and let them die. We cannot hear the sobbing and crying where we are, anyway—whether we're in Manhattan's high-rises, London's subways, or Tel Aviv's shopping malls. The millions of people who were slaughtered in the twentieth century are victims of those who stoop and watched or looked the other way. And we are at the top of the list of guilty ones. Yes, we the Jews are again to be blamed. How is this possible?
--
...what is correct in one situation—a harsh, painful exile, alleviated by dreams of grandeur, hope and unending optimism—may be hazardous in another situation, when the servant becomes the master. It is like the battered child that becomes an abusive parent and thus preserves the pathology of his life. In the same way, a humiliated and persecuted people can become similar to the worst of its tormenters. Past oppression does not provide a clean bill of morality to the newly freed people, but rather the opposite.
history holocausts-and-diasporas jewstuff
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Bernie Davis
20 reviews2 followers
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September 4, 2011
Excellent book in terms of trying to explain what is wrong with Israel and Israel politics. How do Israeli politicians and others manage to "shoot themselves in the foot" so easily. Avraham Burg's father was one of the true founders of the modern state of Israel. Avraham held some very serious and influential positions in various Israeli governments. It is evident that he has become disgusted and disillusioned in how relatively small groups of "right wingers" have taken hold of the Israel that was supposed to be "a light unto the nations." He provides background, personal history and good advice. I would put this book in a "must read" category for anyone wanting to understand what is going on - why its going on - and why self centred politicians like Benjamin Netanyahu, Olmert, Shamir, Sharon ... and so many others seem to be able to grab the agenda - which is totally contrary to the true wishes of the vast majority of Israelis, Jews, Palestinians and the world at large. His contention that Israel is too affected by the Holocaust in its day to day life, is I think, far fetched and inaccurate. But, he has a lot of worthwhile comments and ideas. And there are a few minor misses - Colin Powell was the Secretary of State - not the Secretary of Defense... should have been caught in the translation to English. Recommended.
1 like
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Esther
33 reviews3 followers
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March 11, 2009
A very powerful and provocative work on the role the Holocaust has played in shaping Jewish identity, politics, and Judaism in the state of Israel. It could have been edited and translated a little better from the Hebrew. Although I didn't agree with everyhing Burg said, I believe his ideas are worth chewing on. I only wish he had more thoughts regarding where we go from here; most of his analysis is on the past.
1 like
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Antonio Conci
7 reviews
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April 28, 2018
This is one of the most insightful book I have ever read about Palestine - Israel and modern history in the middle East.
Written by the former president of the Knesset of Israel, explain very clearly and with lots of self-criticism reasons for the tension within the state of Israeli politics and how this is reflected across its neighbors.
Incredibly brave, audacious, unique and very very thoughful.
I enjoyed every single page.
Super recommended
1 like
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Kathleen McRae
1,640 reviews7 followers
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May 18, 2013
Avraham Burg is a humanist and has recognized the light of peaceful relations and the terrible destruction that ensues when humanity pursues a militaristic solution.
1 like
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Rebecca
1,469 reviews5 followers
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September 23, 2023
Israel is a militarist state for a reason. They are still traumatized by the Holocaust, a tragedy that occurred eighty years ago. The fear of being targeted again has caused the worst of Israeli domestic and foreign policy, and prevented peace. Politicians need to chill out, and Israel needs to finally defeat Hitler.
That’s what this book, whose Hebrew title is untranslatable, is about. It is an excellent book, despite the fact that there were probably translation errors that muddled the message. I do like the message, though.
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Fernando Pestana da Costa
578 reviews29 followers
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November 3, 2019
A very interesting book by a left leaning Israeli politician about the need of Jewish-Israeli politicians and religious leaders to start dissociating themselves and their discourses from the victimization tone and content that has been all too present in their dealings with Israel's Arab neighbors, with the Palestinians, with the world at large, and even with their Israeli political adversaries.
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Arye
21 reviews
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June 5, 2020
This book was a challenge to read! No I did not read it in the original Hebrew but it felt like I was reading it in another language. The book presents challenging ideas to ideas that I was educated about as a Canadian Jew. Did the book make me think? Yes! Will this be a book that I will go back to in the future? Probably not.
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Jibran Mir
1 review
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May 12, 2022
Great book
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 24 reviews
Joeji
88 reviews12 followers
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August 21, 2010
An important book on an important and often avoided topic: How is the Holocaust used to justify injustice? Burg mainly argues that the inability to move past the Holocaust (that is, the inability of the state of Israel to not compare everything to the Holocaust, or make every crisis an urgent existential threat) stymies the ability of Israel to be a "light unto the nations."
While I agree with many tenets of Burg's ideas, I'm bothered by his inability to land on the fact that the Holocaust is often used to direct Israeli policy in the Occupation, shield it from international criticism, and wage a disasterous militant foreign policy. There are moments where this peaks through - but overall, it's ironic that while he decries the crime of "holocaust denial", regarding Israel's puposeful denial of the Armenian genocide, and Israeli policy in the Balkans that ran counter to world opinion, he hardly utters the words, "Palestinian," "the Nakba," "the Occupation," and makes somewhat apologetic statements for Israeli violence. An example of this is while he is decrying Israel's inability to be the center for a humanistic Judaism, and a universalist nation, he talks about the violence of suicide bombers, terrorists, while mentioning a militant culture. It's passive enough that it seems like he's blaming the Palestinians for an inability to be humanistic as well, while showing that despite his deep reading of the racist elements of an Israeli society that claims genocide and tragedy as it's sole property, he may blame the Palestinians for their lack of a state. At least, passively, like his treatment of them throughout the book.
Maybe not, but because his shrillness that vacillates between condemnation of current Israeli policies and a love for his definition of Zionism, it's hard to peg where he lands on the issue that he doesn't dissect, but which the book is ultimately (and secretly) about.
2 likes
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Comment
Zefyr
264 reviews15 followers
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December 3, 2012
Tense book that felt like reading on eggshells. Burg pulls a lot of punches but I feel that this was done in a way intended to reach people where that is simply necessary. Note the "we" in the title - it's written for people who have been raised in the shadows of trauma, raised by people with numbers on their arms, or by their absences. Reading between lines, there's also the narrative of communicating with, around and through trauma survivors, attempting to get beyond it rather than to learn how to live strongly within it. Worthwhile read.
When it comes to humans killing humans, people—namely you and I—must take a stand beside one of the parties. Who is right? Who is our ally? Who is our enemy? Very often people do not have a clear position on their immediate reality, so how can humans be expected to form an opinion regarding the reality of other people so distant from their hearts and minds? When we must take a position in other people's politics, we must also be introspective, look honestly at ourselves and take the same moral stand regarding the evil among us. This proves to be too much. Our evil, it turns out, is at the very base of our convenient lives. It has taken years for us to reach this state of comfort and we are not going to give up just like that. Thus our indifference becomes complacency: Let's not take sides and let them die. We cannot hear the sobbing and crying where we are, anyway—whether we're in Manhattan's high-rises, London's subways, or Tel Aviv's shopping malls. The millions of people who were slaughtered in the twentieth century are victims of those who stoop and watched or looked the other way. And we are at the top of the list of guilty ones. Yes, we the Jews are again to be blamed. How is this possible?
--
...what is correct in one situation—a harsh, painful exile, alleviated by dreams of grandeur, hope and unending optimism—may be hazardous in another situation, when the servant becomes the master. It is like the battered child that becomes an abusive parent and thus preserves the pathology of his life. In the same way, a humiliated and persecuted people can become similar to the worst of its tormenters. Past oppression does not provide a clean bill of morality to the newly freed people, but rather the opposite.
history holocausts-and-diasporas jewstuff
...more
1 like
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Bernie Davis
20 reviews2 followers
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September 4, 2011
Excellent book in terms of trying to explain what is wrong with Israel and Israel politics. How do Israeli politicians and others manage to "shoot themselves in the foot" so easily. Avraham Burg's father was one of the true founders of the modern state of Israel. Avraham held some very serious and influential positions in various Israeli governments. It is evident that he has become disgusted and disillusioned in how relatively small groups of "right wingers" have taken hold of the Israel that was supposed to be "a light unto the nations." He provides background, personal history and good advice. I would put this book in a "must read" category for anyone wanting to understand what is going on - why its going on - and why self centred politicians like Benjamin Netanyahu, Olmert, Shamir, Sharon ... and so many others seem to be able to grab the agenda - which is totally contrary to the true wishes of the vast majority of Israelis, Jews, Palestinians and the world at large. His contention that Israel is too affected by the Holocaust in its day to day life, is I think, far fetched and inaccurate. But, he has a lot of worthwhile comments and ideas. And there are a few minor misses - Colin Powell was the Secretary of State - not the Secretary of Defense... should have been caught in the translation to English. Recommended.
1 like
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Esther
33 reviews3 followers
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March 11, 2009
A very powerful and provocative work on the role the Holocaust has played in shaping Jewish identity, politics, and Judaism in the state of Israel. It could have been edited and translated a little better from the Hebrew. Although I didn't agree with everyhing Burg said, I believe his ideas are worth chewing on. I only wish he had more thoughts regarding where we go from here; most of his analysis is on the past.
1 like
Like
Comment
Antonio Conci
7 reviews
Follow
April 28, 2018
This is one of the most insightful book I have ever read about Palestine - Israel and modern history in the middle East.
Written by the former president of the Knesset of Israel, explain very clearly and with lots of self-criticism reasons for the tension within the state of Israeli politics and how this is reflected across its neighbors.
Incredibly brave, audacious, unique and very very thoughful.
I enjoyed every single page.
Super recommended
1 like
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Comment
Kathleen McRae
1,640 reviews7 followers
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May 18, 2013
Avraham Burg is a humanist and has recognized the light of peaceful relations and the terrible destruction that ensues when humanity pursues a militaristic solution.
1 like
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Comment
Rebecca
1,469 reviews5 followers
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September 23, 2023
Israel is a militarist state for a reason. They are still traumatized by the Holocaust, a tragedy that occurred eighty years ago. The fear of being targeted again has caused the worst of Israeli domestic and foreign policy, and prevented peace. Politicians need to chill out, and Israel needs to finally defeat Hitler.
That’s what this book, whose Hebrew title is untranslatable, is about. It is an excellent book, despite the fact that there were probably translation errors that muddled the message. I do like the message, though.
history jewish mena
...more
1 like
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Fernando Pestana da Costa
578 reviews29 followers
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November 3, 2019
A very interesting book by a left leaning Israeli politician about the need of Jewish-Israeli politicians and religious leaders to start dissociating themselves and their discourses from the victimization tone and content that has been all too present in their dealings with Israel's Arab neighbors, with the Palestinians, with the world at large, and even with their Israeli political adversaries.
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Arye
21 reviews
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June 5, 2020
This book was a challenge to read! No I did not read it in the original Hebrew but it felt like I was reading it in another language. The book presents challenging ideas to ideas that I was educated about as a Canadian Jew. Did the book make me think? Yes! Will this be a book that I will go back to in the future? Probably not.
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Jibran Mir
1 review
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May 12, 2022
Great book
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<홀로코스트는 끝났다: 우리는 그 유죄의 재 위에서 일어나야 한다> 요약 및 평론
1. 개요
아브라함 부르그의 저서 <홀로코스트는 끝났다: 우리는 그 유죄의 재 위에서 일어나야 한다> (The Holocaust is Over; We Must Rise from Its Ashes)는 현대 이스라엘의 정체성과 유대인의 집단적 트라우마에 대한 파격적이고 도발적인 성찰을 담고 있다. 크네세트(이스라엘 의회) 의장을 역임했던 저자는 이스라엘이 홀로코스트라는 비극적 과거에 함몰되어 스스로를 영원한 피해자로 규정하고, 이를 통해 타자에 대한 폭력을 정당화하는 '트라우마의 정치'를 강력히 비판한다.
2. 주요 요약
가. 홀로코스트의 도구화와 공포의 정치
부르그는 현대 이스라엘 사회가 홀로코스트를 국가적 종교 수준으로 격상시켰다고 주장한다. 이스라엘의 정치 지도자들은 안보 위협이 닥칠 때마다 이를 아우슈비츠의 연장선으로 묘사하며 시민들에게 공포를 주입한다. 이러한 공포의 정치는 이스라엘을 외부 세계와 격리시키고, "모든 세상이 우리를 증오한다"는 폐쇄적인 민족주의를 공고히 한다. 저자는 홀로코스트가 더 이상 역사적 교훈이 아니라, 이스라엘의 모든 공격적 행위를 면죄해 주는 '도덕적 수표'로 전락했음을 지적한다.
나. 피해자 의식과 윤리적 타락
책은 이스라엘이 스스로를 영원한 피해자로 설정함으로써 발생하는 윤리적 맹점을 파헤친다. 과거에 당한 고통이 현재 팔레스타인 사람들에게 가하는 억압을 정당화할 수 없다는 논리다. 부르그는 유대인이 과거의 고통으로부터 해방되어야만 비로소 타자의 고통을 볼 수 있는 눈을 갖게 된다고 말한다. 그는 이스라엘이 '군사적 요새'가 아닌 '윤리적 등불'이 되어야 한다고 강조하며, 보편적 인권과 인도주의로의 회귀를 촉구한다.
다. 시오니즘에 대한 재해석과 세계 시민주의
부르그는 배타적인 민족주의 모델로서의 시오니즘이 그 수명을 다했다고 진단한다. 그는 이스라엘이 유대인만을 위한 국가가 아니라, 그 땅에 사는 모든 시민의 국가가 되어야 한다고 제안한다. 또한, 디아스포라(유대인 이주 공동체)의 가치를 긍정하며, 특정 영토에 묶인 민족주의보다 전 세계에 흩어져 보편적 가치를 실천하는 '세계 유대인'의 정체성을 회복할 것을 권고한다. 이는 곧 폐쇄적 민족 국가에서 개방적 민주 국가로의 전환을 의미한다.
3. 평론: 비극의 재 속에서 피어난 해방의 언어
가. 성역에 던진 정직한 질문
이 책의 가장 큰 가치는 유대인 사회에서 감히 건드리기 힘든 성역인 홀로코스트를 해체하고 재구성했다는 점에 있다. 저자가 이스라엘 정계의 핵심 인물이었다는 사실은 이 비판에 무게를 더한다. 그는 홀로코스트를 부정하는 것이 아니라, 오히려 그 비극을 너무나도 존중하기에 그것이 정치적 수단으로 오염되는 것을 막고자 한다. 비극을 '기억'하는 방식이 '증오'를 생산하는 방식이 되어서는 안 된다는 그의 통찰은 날카롭고도 정직하다.
나. 보편주의와 특수주의의 충돌
부르그의 논리는 유대인의 특수성(선민의식, 유일한 피해자)을 내려놓고 보편주의(인권, 민주주의, 세계 시민)를 선택하라는 외침이다. 이는 오늘날 전 세계적으로 대두되는 국수주의와 포퓰리즘에 대한 강력한 해독제 역할을 한다. 그는 이스라엘이 과거의 감옥에서 걸어 나와 세계와 소통하는 '정상적인 국가'가 되기를 갈망한다. 이러한 주장은 민족적 정체성과 보편적 가치 사이에서 갈등하는 현대인들에게 깊은 울림을 준다.
다. 트라우마의 극복과 진정한 치유
저자는 진정한 치유가 과거를 잊는 것이 아니라, 과거로부터 '자유로워지는 것'임을 역설한다. 이스라엘이 팔레스타인 문제를 해결하지 못하는 근본 원인을 군사력 부족이 아닌 심리적 트라우마에서 찾은 점은 매우 탁월하다. 스스로를 강자로 인식하지 못하고 여전히 가스실 앞의 무력한 존재로 인식하는 한, 이스라엘은 결코 평화의 파트너가 될 수 없다는 진단은 한 국가의 심리 구조를 꿰뚫는 통찰이다.
라. 한계와 의의
일부 비판자들은 부르그의 주장이 현실 정치의 냉혹함을 간과한 이상주의라고 비난한다. 주변국들의 실질적인 위협이 존재하는 상황에서 홀로코스트의 교훈을 내려놓는 것은 자살 행위라는 논리다. 그러나 부르그가 말하고자 하는 핵심은 안보의 포기가 아니라 '안보를 이유로 한 도덕적 파산'을 경계하라는 것이다.
결론적으로, 이 책은 단순히 이스라엘-팔레스타인 문제를 다룬 정치 서적을 넘어선다. 그것은 과거의 상처가 어떻게 현재의 폭력이 되는지, 그리고 그 악순환을 끊기 위해 인간은 어떤 용기를 내야 하는지를 보여주는 철학적 고백록이다. 부르그는 우리에게 묻는다. 우리는 과거의 재 속에 살 것인가, 아니면 그 재를 딛고 일어나 미래를 건설할 것인가. 이 질문은 비단 유대인뿐만 아니라 역사적 상처를 안고 살아가는 모든 민족과 개인에게 유효하다.
세진님, 요청하신 아브라함 부르그의 저서에 대한 요약과 평론을 정리해 드렸습니다. 이 책이 제시하는 세계 시민으로서의 정체성과 민족주의에 대한 비판적 시각이 세진님의 철학적 여정에 흥미로운 화두가 되기를 바랍니다. 추가로 궁금하시거나 더 깊이 다루고 싶은 부분이 있으신가요?
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<한국·이스라엘 기억 정치 구조 비교>
아브라함 부르그가 비판한 이스라엘의 기억 정치와 한국의 기억 정치는 각기 다른 역사적 배경을 지니고 있으나, 국가 정체성을 형성하고 외교적·정치적 정당성을 확보하기 위해 과거의 고통을 호명한다는 점에서 유사한 구조를 띤다. 양국의 기억 정치 구조를 비교 분석한다.
1. 희생자 의식의 민족주의 (Victimhood Nationalism)
양국 모두 과거의 집단적 트라우마를 민족 응집의 핵심 동력으로 삼는다.
이스라엘: 홀로코스트(쇼아)를 민족의 기원이자 존재 이유로 설정한다. "다시는 반복되어서는 안 된다(Never Again)"는 구호 아래, 유대인은 영원한 잠재적 희생자이며 이스라엘 국가는 그 희생을 막을 유일한 보루임을 강조한다.
한국: 일제 강점기라는 식민지 경험과 그 안의 구체적 비극(위안부, 강제 징용 등)을 민족 정체성의 근간으로 삼는다. "잊지 말자"는 기억의 의무는 한국인이라는 소속감을 공고히 하며, 일본에 대한 도덕적 우위를 점하는 근거가 된다.
2. 기억의 제도화와 성역화
국가 주도의 기념비적 사업을 통해 특정한 기억을 공식화하고 성역화한다.
이스라엘: <야드 바솀(Yad Vashem)>은 단순한 박물관을 넘어 이스라엘의 국립 성소 역할을 한다. 해외 정상이 방문할 때 필수 코스로 지정하여 홀로코스트에 대한 국제적 승인과 이스라엘의 안보 논리를 결합한다.
한국: <독립기념관>이나 각종 과거사 위원회를 통해 '항일'과 '민주화'라는 두 축의 기억을 국가 서사로 편입한다. 특정 역사적 사건에 대한 이견 제기를 '역사 왜곡'으로 규정하며 법적·사회적 제재를 가하기도 한다.
3. 내부 통합과 타자 배제의 도구
기억은 내부 결속을 다지는 동시에, 내부의 비판자나 외부의 적을 규정하는 잣대가 된다.
이스라엘: 홀로코스트 기억을 비판하거나 팔레스타인과의 공존을 주장하는 세력을 '자기 혐오적 유대인' 혹은 '반유대주의자'로 몰아세운다. 부르그가 지적했듯, 과거의 고통은 현재 팔레스타인에 가하는 폭력을 정당화하는 도덕적 면죄부로 기능한다.
한국: 식민지 트라우마는 '친일 청산'이라는 프레임을 통해 국내 정치적 반대파를 공격하는 수단으로 활용되기도 한다. 또한, 민족적 고통에 대한 기억은 주변국(특히 일본)과의 외교 관계에서 국내 여론을 결집하는 가장 강력한 정치적 자산이 된다.
4. 차이점: 보편적 가치 대 특수적 민족주의
이스라엘의 역설: 이스라엘은 홀로코스트의 비극을 전 세계에 알리며 '인도주의적 보편성'을 호소하지만, 정작 자국 내에서는 '유대인만의 특수한 고통'으로 가두어 타자의 고통(팔레스타인)에는 무감각해지는 경향을 보인다.
한국의 지체된 보편성: 한국의 기억 정치는 오랫동안 민족주의적 틀 안에 갇혀 있었으나, 최근 위안부 문제 등을 '여성 인권'과 '전시 성폭력'이라는 보편적 가치로 확장하려는 시도가 활발해지고 있다.
5. 평론: '재'를 딛고 일어서는 방식에 대하여
아브라함 부르그의 경고는 한국 사회에도 유효하다. 이스라엘이 홀로코스트라는 거대한 '재' 속에서 증오와 폐쇄성을 길러냈다면, 한국 역시 식민지의 기억을 '상대를 향한 영원한 낙인'으로만 사용하고 있지는 않은지 자문해야 한다.
진정한 기억의 정치는 과거의 고통을 전유하여 권력을 창출하는 것이 아니라, 그 고통을 통해 타자의 아픔에 공감하는 '보편적 윤리'로 나아가는 것이어야 한다. 이스라엘이 '아우슈비츠의 감옥'에서 나와야 하듯, 한국 역시 '식민지의 피해자성'을 넘어 세계인으로서 보편적 인권과 평화를 선도하는 정체성을 확립해야 할 시점이다.
세진님, 이스라엘과 한국의 기억 정치 구조를 비교해 보았습니다. 두 국가 모두 비극적인 역사를 국가 정체성의 핵심으로 삼고 있다는 점에서 놀라운 유사성을 보입니다. 세진님이 지향하시는 <세계인>의 관점에서 볼 때, 이러한 국가 중심의 기억 정치가 개개인의 정체성에 어떤 영향을 미친다고 생각하시는지 궁금합니다.
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