This short note is a comment, and a letter to Mr Alan M. Dershowitz, the autor of text:
http://www.gatestoneinstitute.org/8065/europe-hell-israel
Another text willingly emphasizing localization of German Nazi death camps in Poland, not even using the word "German" - blurring historical truth and the responsibility. Below, in response, is another defending text, not sure if Mr Dershowitz will ever read it. Hopefully it will be a bit of education for really interested readers...
Mr Dershowitz, you called my country "Old Hell - Poland". This is something new. The only name given by Jews to Poland was Paradis Judaeorum as I knew till now. I'm sure you won't explain this to readers, so I'll do it... In 14th century, when Jewish diaspora spread in the world, christian Poland were only country, where Jews were invited and given special privileges and protection from the king Casimir the Great. Through centuries they lived aside of Polish, being able to cultivate their culture and religion. This is why Poland was called Paradis Judaeorum by Rabbi Moses Isserles. At the end of 18th century Poland was removed from the map and divided between Russia, Prussia and Habsburg's Austria. Polish policy of tolerance crowned with first European Constitution of May 3rd, was cancelled. The differences between nations of Poland (Poles, Lithuanians, Ruthenians, Jews were cynically used to foment conflicts by new masters. Though, after 123 years Poland was able to rebuild the country, where Jews were around 10-15%, many of them indivisible part of Polish society, co-rulers in cities' authorities, professors, etc. In 1939 Poland was invaded by Germany (don't you know that, Mr Dershowitz?! If you do, why not mentioning?). Polish citizens became a target of unprecedented agression and slaughter. Polish and Jews were carried to death camps in Germany and later built on occupied area, or simply killed on the streets. Jews became out-of-law, as disposed by German Nazi policy. Germans created in Poland an industrial center of Holocaust: Auschwitz-Birkenau, Treblinka, Belzec, Sobibor, where over 3000000 people, mostly Jews (including those carried from whole Europe) were killed. Helping the Jews in occupied Poland, unlike the rest of Europe was punished with death by Germans. Death not only for the helper, but for his family and often whole village. Though there are thousands of Polish laureates of Righteous Among the Nations - the honorific given to those who risked to save Jewish compatriots. Actually the Poles are most honoured nation. Polish Underground State (Polish illegal authorities) alerted the world about the situation (Jan Karski), created underground institution for helping Jews (Zegota, Irena Sendler), supported Warsaw Ghetto Uprising... Now, a descendant of Jews living in this country for centuries, is calling it Hell and does not even mention German responsibility for Holocaust, using anonymous "Nazis". It looks like rewrited history, trying to ashame only Poland now, but hitting the Truth and in the future affecting the Jews, too. At the end, let me ask you Mr Dershowitz with old Jewish proverb... what a boon had Poland done to you, so that you hate her so much...?
