We, group of fighters for repatriation of Jews from USSR to Israel,
former уrefuseniksф, whom Soviet authorities refused to give exit visas
to Israel a long time, were astonished to reveal that there is one group
else of the so called уrefuseniksф, which has rather different goals and
aspirations. Living already 10-15 years in Israel we got convinced with
our own eyes that one of the most remarkable and staunch institutes in
our country is the Israel Defense Forces (TZAHAL) ц our defender, our savior,
our hope, which won all our wars and prevented destruction of our country
- the goal of our enemies. Appearance of a group, not numerous though,
of young people, who refuse to serve in the Army, in particular, at the
so called уterritoriesф, stirred up natural protest in all strata of the
Israel society.
Reason for such refusal can be or fear (because уterritoriesф are most
dangerous place), or some political and ideological considerations for
which there should be no place in the Army, because Army is out of politics.
These days, in such a hard time for our country, when our enemies kill
our soldiers, among whom there are our children and grandchildren, and
peaceful civilians, and the entire world meantime united in the frenzied
anti-Semitic and anti-Israeli campaign, such a stand of servicemen is a
military crime which name is desertion. Deserters in all normal countries
deserve to be put to the pillory, but only in Israel, the country with
perverted notion of democracy, they are able to travel free all over the
world and to seek for their advocates, earning political capital. Lynch
law over our soldiers in Ramallah, a monstrous terror attack in the уDelphinariumф
discotheque, frightful terror attacks in Jerusalem, Nathania, Hadera did
not affect souls of these young people. Only ostracism in their own country
forced them to seek for like-minded people outside of her borders.
No normal human being wherever he may live will justify a deserter
and traitor; therefore donтt hope to get support. You may not return to
TZAHAL ц our Army will manage without you. Moreover ц your deed produced
an opposite effect. Big number of Israelis (much bigger than number of
the so-called "refuseniks") of different ages and occupations applied to
government with a request to be called-up to take place of deserters. By
this way a battalion уAlyahф was formed with more than 500 men who were
ready to be volunteers and to defend their country and their people. They
deserve praise and honour!
Yulia Ratner
Igor and Inna Uspensky
Pavel and Mara Abramovich
Edward and Liudmila Markov
Nathan and Evgenia Shwartzman
Evgeny and Irina Lein
Michael Kara-Ivanov
Avital Berman
Evgeny and Rima Yakir
Michael and Galia Kremen
Victoria Hasin
Boris and Lidia Wainshtock
Russian versia
An introduction to MAOF
Haim Goldman
Haim Goldman
Dear Friends,
Would you believe that the undersigned has anything in common with
-- Professor Victor Davis Hanson (Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University),
-- Dr Charles Krauthammer, (Washington Post, Time, The Weekly Standard),
-- Caroline Glick (Deputy Managing Editor of the Jerusalem Post),
-- Jonathan Tobin (Executive Editor of the Philadelphia Jewish Exponent).
Amazingly, the editors of the MAOF website decided that the missives of the undersigned are worthy of translation and posting along the articles written by these distinguished authors.
The first letter was published without the consent of the undersigned.
However, after thorough examination of the laudable attitude of MAOF and of the excellent contents of the website, the undersigned had most graciously granted his permission for publication of his missives in both English and Russian.
“Analytical Group MAOF” [1] is an organisation founded about ten years ago by Russian-speaking Jewish intellectuals. The attitude of MAOF is definitely pro-Zionist -- unambiguously and unapologetically.
One of MAOF’s primary purposes is providing information and analysis about Middle-Eastern and world affairs as well as about Israel’s history, values and dilemmas. In addition to extensive publication activity in various media, MAOF also organises excursions and seminars. While the vast majority of the contents of the MAOF website is in Russian, texts originally written in English are provided in the original [2] as well as in Russian.
There are arguably about 250 millions of Russian-speakers worldwide and many of them do not read English. The indisputable motivation for the author’s permission was to grant those millions of disadvantaged people the grand benefit of reading the author’s ruminations. If the author is ever maliciously accused that his tacit motivation for authorising the publication was his craving to be listed along with the above-mentioned distinguished writers, his plea will definitely be “nolo contendere”.
The editors of MAOF expressed their gratitude by granting the undersigned a privilege that no other author got – the opportunity to review and correct the Russian translation before publication. The original letters of the undersigned are at [3] and their Russian version is at [4]. At of today, only two letters are posted but several other letters are pending translation.
You are kindly ENCOURAGED TO RECOMMEND the MAOF website to your friends and colleagues worldwide, particularly those who speak Russian. Those who do not enjoy the benefit of proficiency in the exquisite Russian language can find many thought-provoking and inspiring articles about Middle-Eastern and world affairs in the English section [2].
Sincerely,
Haim Goldman
28.10.2006
REFERENCES:
[1] http://maof.rjews.net
[2] section.php3? sid=37&num=25
[3] authorg.php3? id=2107&type=a
[4] authorg.php3? id=2166&type=a