The Aug. 16 Sunday Telegram op-ed by Lawrence Gardner, “Genocide canard is a smokescreen for antisemitism,” was interesting — both for its inclusions and omissions. Gardner doesn’t believe the charge of genocide applied to Israeli activities in Gaza is warranted. He believes “…that this accusation is no more than Hamas propaganda, the worst form of Jew hatred.”
In the piece, Gardner’s perspective is directed at the Maine Democratic Party, Troy Jackson and “others.” Quoting Gardner, “Which brings me to the charge of ‘genocide’ that Maine Democrats are recklessly throwing around.”
After mentioning historical instances of genocide involving Armenians, Tutsis and Rohingya cultures knowing about genocide, he adds, “… and we Jews know what genocide is in our bones,” and continues, “… But apparently, Troy Jackson, Democratic candidate for U.S. senator in Maine, and many others don’t.”
Further on in the piece, Gardner adds, “I am so disappointed that Troy Jackson and others blithely throw around a label that is hurtful, mean and demonstrates that they have no idea what they are talking about.”
There are approximately 50 national, international and Jewish organizations worldwide, including U.N. Special Rapporteurs, the International Court of Justice, B’Tselem, Physicians for Human Rights Israel, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, the Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention, Genocide Watch, Doctors Without Borders and the International Association of Genocide Scholars, that have investigated and brought this charge of genocide.
I found Gardner’s opinion especially interesting given the timing and looming Senate race. But that’s just my opinion.
Jerry Provencher
Bath