Recently there has been intense discussion within the American congress about a motion to proclaim the treatment of Armenians during the war as genocide.
There has been tremendous pressure brought upon the Jewish community in Turkey and the American diaspora to close ranks with Turkey and denounce any actions that call forth the claim of a Turkish Genocide against the Armenian people.
I find myself quite despondent of the evidence that displays Israel's willingness and some elements of the American diaspora to follow the line that Turkey is promoting.
The simple fact is, the existence of a Armenian Genocide committed by the government of Turkey has very little to do with Jews in particular.
I would be the first to advocate that as Jews we should be exceptionally vigilant against any motions or actions which could hide genocide.
Yet the ultimate question of there being any basis to the claims of Armenians being victims to a Genocide committed by the Turks is rather a question for Turkey, Armenians and the World's historians and academics.
Its not a question that should be played out in the political arena, nor the political arena of other countries, and its certainly not a question that should hold another country's foreign policy to ransom.
But in stating this, there has been a obvious question that has come to the forefront of ones consciousness.
Why does Turkey act so swiftly and tellingly to cease any kind of debate that discusses this genocidal question?
What is there to fear? If there was no genocide then bringing an academic, objective based, scrutiny to the subject will lay the matter to rest qucikly and efficiently, if this is the case as Turkey so ably advocates it is so.
Why is Turkey who aspires to join the European Union, a union that is established on a premise of transparency and human rights, so wanting to stifle debate? Especially a debate which needs to initiate, so as lurking question of an Armenian genocide can be resolved.
If find it very disturbing the recent comments by Mr Ali Babacan in regards to the 'Jewish' Obligation to ensure that the American congress isn't able to pass the motion of a Armenian Genocide. They contain barely hidden references to repercussions towards the Turkish community if this piece of legislation is able to be passed in Congress.
The question arises, why is Turkey so willing to risk its allegiance to the US and Israel, in its attempt to stifle debate?
I can't ignore the historical basis of co operation between Turkey and the West, but this is the exact opposite kind of behavior one would expect of a country who claims there is no basis to the claims of genocide.
The use of Fear and intimidation against a minority within the Turkish population is hardly something that would reassure the rest of the world a Turkish genocide did not happen.
In fact putting it quite clearly, its the threat of violence and intimidation which raises more questions than answers.
I feel for the Turkish Jewish population.
I also feel Armenians, the Armenian's deserve the opportunity to raise these issues so the World and Turkey may face historical facts no matter how dark they may or may not be.
The ultimate truth is, as Jews we can't stand by and allow Ali Babacan and his
AKP henchmen to threaten us, if he doesn't get what he wants. To do so would be a dishonor on the memory of all those that suffered in the Shoah.
When we say never again, we should mean never again for all peoples.
Political considerations and convenience should not influence our decisions on what is right or wrong.
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