Ahmadinejad: a reason to misuse the name of the Holocaust?

The Iranian president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has not missed the opportunity to throw mud at Israel from the stage of the Durban II conference this week. The nature of the reactions of the Israeli officials was expected, the show is not run for the first time, but their style and unconstrained usage of the Holocaust metaphors was far beyond the expectations this time.

Perhaps the timing played its role - the date of the Durban conference coincided this year with the Holocaust Rememberance Day which is held annually in Israel and western countries. Comparisons of Ahmadinejad to Hitler and his attitude towards Israel to the Nurnberg laws were a commonplace in the official reactions of Israeli politicians, targeted mainly at the western leaders and media. The speaker of Israeli parliament found himself in the year of 1939 and the prime minister warned off the new Holocaust coming from Iran.

Whatever the reasons are, using Holocaust metaphors in the political opposition between Iran and Israel is neither correct, nor appropriate. A genocide of millions of Jews by the monstrous Nazi regime, that caused a turmoil in the world order for many years ahead, can hardly be compared to the demagogy by the Iranian leader against Israel, as much sharp as it would be. First, the attacks are aimed at the national state of Israel, rather then the Jewish people. Whatever the symbolic meaning of Israel would be for jews, the difference is vital - the critic is against the political order, rather than the people itself. Second, one should remember that Israel is a modern country with developed infrastructure and unprecedented in the region military strength. The parallel with Jewish communities in Europe of the 20th century is totally irrelevant. And third, by biting Israel and US the Iranian president is cynically using the depression feelings in the Muslim world to gain popularity towards the coming elections. One should not mistake pre-election demagogy with genocide.

Holocaust reminiscence is a strong empotional ammunition Israel can use against its ennemies. But it should be used in an exteremely measured and careful manner and only when it is a must. Iranian President, a marionette in the hands of powerful spiritual leaders, that cynically manipulates the public opinion to gain his chances to be re-elected is barely one of these must cases.