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to SAS Newsletter Page 3 The Banality of
Indifference: Zionism and the Armenian Genocide
Zoryan Institute
Sponsors New Book by Yair Auron on the Armenian Genocide
The Genocide of Armenians by Turks during the First World War was one of
the most horrendous deeds of modern times and was a precursor and archetype
of the genocidal acts that have marked the rest of the 20th century. Despite
the worldwide attention the atrocities received at the time, this genocide
has not remained a part of the world?s historical consciousness. The parallels
between the Jewish and Armenian situations and the reactions of the Jewish
community in Palestine (the Yishuv) to the Armenian Genocide are explored
by Yair Auron in his new book, The Banality of Indifference: Zionism and
the Armenian Genocide. The translation of this important book from its
original Hebrew into English was sponsored by the Zoryan Institute, and
the book is published by Transaction Publishers.
Auron raises theoretical,
philosophical, and moral questions about concepts of genocide and the uniqueness
of the Jewish Holocaust. After a brief historical introduction, the author
discusses the reaction to the Genocide within the Yishuv in terms of practical
assistance for and identification with the Armenians. The Jewish position
was unquestionably difficult during the period of the First World War;
Palestine was under Ottoman control, and Germany, a Turkish ally, was looked
to by some Zionists as a potential source of support. Consequently, the
official Yishuv reaction was muted and largely self-interested: there was
no condemnation in journals, internal protocols, or letters. Auron does
record instances of Jewish support, however: the Nili group, an underground
intelligence organization, actively sought to aid the Armenian victims;
Chaim Weizman and Nahum Sokolov publicly condemned the killings; and other
Zionist writers and journalists expressed outraged identification with
the Armenians and tried to arouse the conscience of the world. In attempting
to analyze and interpret these disparate reactions, Auron maintains a fair-minded
balance in assessing claims of altruism and self-interest, expressed in
universal, not only Jewish, terms.
While not denying the uniqueness of the Holocaust, Auron carefully distinguishes
it from the Armenian Genocide, reviewing existing theories and relating
Armenian and Jewish experience to ongoing issues of politics and identity.
As a groundbreaking work of comparative history, The Banality of Indifference
will be read by Armenian area specialists, historians of Zionism and Israel,
and students of genocide.
Yair Auron is senior
lecturer at The Open University of Israel and the Kibbutzim College of
Education. He is the author of several Hebrew language studies: Jewish-Israeli
Identity, Sensitivity to World Suffering: Genocide in the Twentieth Century,
We Are All German Jews, and Jewish Radicals in France During the Sixties
and Seventies (published in French as well).
Published by Transaction Publishers, this new book is available for $39.95
US + $4.00 US postage from the Zoryan Institute, 2286 Massachusetts Ave.,
Cambridge, MA 02140, Tel: 1-617-497-6713, Fax: 1-617-441-0906, or from
the Zoryan Institute of Canada, E-mail: zoryan@idirect.ca
The History of Alexander
the Great
Giusto Traina (Ed.)
An Armenian illuminated codex of the 14 c. (Venice, San Lazzaro 424). With
contributions by Carlo Franco, Dickran Kouymjian and Cecilia Veronese Arslan.
The remarkable codex
San Lazzaro #424 (128 folios, 85 illuminations) contains the Armenian translation
of the most ancient version (5th c.) of the Romance of Alexander, supplied
with didascalic poems (kafas) by the monk Khatchatur of Kecharis (13th
c.).
The present work offers:
1. The full facsimile
color reproductions of the original codex.
2. (in Italian) A
general introduction on the philological problems of the text and on the
problems connected with the text and the miniatures; a ?diplomatic? Italian
translation both of the text and of Khachatur?s prose passages and poems.
A close examination of the manuscript gave the editors the opportunity
of understanding how some aspects of the romance developed and how medieval
Armenian culture influenced the circulation of the ancient legend of Alexander.
At the same time this unabridged edition gives art historians and students
in iconography the possibility of seeing in its full splendor one of the
most famous illuminated codices of the Christian East..
Special price for subscribers till 31th May 2000. Euro 550 + 20 for mail/
Lire italiane 1.060.000 + spese postali; Orders are accepted by letter
or by fax (++39-049-8642828); Post orders: Aldo Ausilio Editore, C/C 13459359;
Payments by bank: Banca Commerciale Italiana-sede di Padova-c/c 12899850/3
Aldo Ausilio, Editore, Ref. ABI 2002 CAB 62340
National Treasures of Georgia
The Foundation for International Arts and Education is pleased to announce
the publication of National Treasures of Georgia, edited by Ori Z. Soltes.
This catalogue was published in conjunction with a major exhibition of
artifacts and paintings depicting over 50 centuries of the extraordinary
artistic diversity of Georgian culture. The exhibition, scheduled for presentation
during 1999-2001, was suspended by the Georgian government as a result
of internal political opposition.
The book can be ordered through their web page www.fiae.org, for $30 (softcover)
or $50 (hardcover), + $4.50 shipping/handling. You may also order the book
by contacting the Foundation at: 4630 Montgomery Avenue Suite 210, Bethesda,
Maryland 20814 USA, Phone: (301) 656-6102, Fax: (301) 656-5703.
Life and Works of Tigran Tchoukhadjian
A new book, Life and Works of Tigran Tchoukhadjian, by Nikoghos Tahmizian has just been published by Drazark Press, 1999, 214 pp.
Ambassador Morgenthau?s Story Republished by Gomidas Institute
Book Released on 85th
Anniversary of the
Armenian Genocide
Princeton, N.J. (24 April 2000)?Ambassador Morgenthau?s Story, one of the
best known personal accounts of the Armenian Genocide, has been republished
by the Gomidas Institute. The new edition features an introduction by Ara
Sarafian.
Henry Morgenthau was
the United States ambassador in Constantinople at the time of the Genocide.
He had frequent encounters with the top government officials who organized
the Genocide. At the same time, he received detailed reports from American
consular officials posted throughout the Ottoman Empire.
His memoir, first published in 1918, is thus an authoritative account of
the destruction of the Armenian population in historic Armenia. It is cited
in the works of such Genocide specialists as Vahakn Dadrian, Ronald Grigor
Suny, and Richard Hovannisian.
Morgenthau had been
a successful lawyer and real estate developer in New York prior to his
appointment as ambassador in 1913. He was a conscientious and hard-working
diplomat. In 1915, he began receiving eyewitness reports about the destruction
of Armenians all over the empire. Concerned, he confronted Ottoman leaders
in Constantinople.
After the United States entered World War I and severed diplomatic relations
with Ottoman Turkey-the U.S. did not declare war on the Ottoman Empire-Morgenthau
was free to write his memoirs. Ambassador Morgenthau?s Story was written
in a popular style and was based on the ambassador?s diaries, other private
papers, and diplomatic reports from 1914-16. The memoir was first serialized
in World?s Work and then published as a book in 1918. The work was a damning
indictment of Ottoman leaders for their entry into World War I and the
genocide of Armenians.
Morgenthau?s sympathy for Armenians was very real and did not wane. Ambassador
Morgenthau?s Story remains as powerful today as it was 82 years ago when
it was first published.
Ambassador Morgenthau?s Story (xvi + 294 pp., paperback, $22.00) may be
ordered by calling toll-free 1 800 865-6405 (in the United States and Canada)
or by E-mail at books@gomidas.org. Please add $3.00 postage and handling
for the first book and $1.25 for each additional copy to the same address.
