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Menahem Kahana / AFP - Getty Images
Workers clean graffiti from the compound of Jerusalem's Yad Vashem Holocaust museum and memorial on Monday.
JERUSALEM - Vandals spray-painted anti-Zionist slogans at Israel's Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and police said on Monday they suspect radical ultra-Orthodox Jews opposed to Israel's existence were responsible.
"Hitler, thank you for the Holocaust," one slogan read.
Police told The Jerusalem Post that one of the slogans read scrawled on the wall read: "Haredi World Community". Haredi are ultra-Orthodox extremists, some of whom regard modern-day Israel as an abomination, believing the establishment of the Jewish state must await the coming of the Messiah.
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Police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said investigators were working on the assumption the vandals were "members of the extreme ultra-religious community."
Some of the graffiti, all written in Hebrew and daubed overnight on exterior walls, accused Israel's founders of secretly encouraging the slaughter of six million Jews by the Nazis during World War II to hasten the creation, in 1948, of the Jewish state.
"The Zionists wanted the Holocaust," one slogan said.
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According to The Jerusalem Post, other slogans read: "Thanks Hitler for the wonderful Holocaust you organized for us! Only because of you we received a state," "Jews, wake up, the evil regime does not protect us, it only endangers us" and "The war of the Zionist regime is not the war of the Jewish people."
'Burning hatred'
Avner Shalev, chairman of Yad Vashem, said he was "shocked and dazed by this callous expression of burning hatred against the Zionists and Zionism."
Israelis stand in silent remembrance of Holocaust victims
Yad Vashem, a museum and memorial, was established on a Jerusalem hilltop in 1953 and is often visited by foreign leaders who place wreaths in its stark Hall of Remembrance.
Msnbc.com staff and Reuters contributed to this report.
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They hate Israel but have no problem taking their money because they refuse to work.
So sad.
ONE THIRD of the people (according to a Gallup poll) in the US say that religion does not figure in their daily lives ( http://www.gallup.com/poll/153479/Mississippi-Religious-State.aspx ). A survey of prison chaplains ( http://www.pewforum.org/Social-Welfare/prison-chaplains-preface.aspx ) suggests that around one in ten prisoners is non-religious.
What does that mean? Well, draw your own conclusions about whether being religious is better for staying out of jail. On the surface, it appears that it does not. My conclusion is that religion does not make one a "better" citizen or a more "moral" individual.
Organized religion remains a curious and dark part of our world as stated in an earlier post. Indeed, in light of a world of knowledge concerning our origins, behavior, capabilities and shortcomings, it is puzzling why one would invest in religion which tends to separate humanity into artificial sub-groups fomenting suspicions about others.
AND, the party line of religionists who decry everyone who does not think along their lines is getting old, very old. Not everyone who criticises organized religion is a card-carrying atheist or agnostic. They are mainly folks who have shed a fear of god for a desire to follow their very own morality unfettered by religious dogma. And that's not necessarily a move in an anti-societal direction. As noted above, prisons are full of religious inmates and I don't believe that is due to a persecution of beliefs.
The ultra-believers of any religion, including the ultra-orthodox Jews have a mindset that is difficult to grasp. Most will profess a belief in the sanctity of life and talk all day about morality and then spit on you if you are wearing shorts or your arms aren't covered. All that religion has created for a many people is a shield for justifying brutish and coercive behavior.
So, friends, when you next sit in your house of worship and ponder your place and relation to the deity you profess to honor, ask yourself how you should treat another who was brought to life by your god. Is it possible that in recognizing a non-believer you are undergoing a challenge to see how you react and whether your faith in a merciful and loving god is a facade or the genuine article.
Look at the demographics of the prison system, then re-evaluate your argument to being a bit more honest.
you hit it on the nail, very well said...
Trudat, to make your point it would be advisable to provide some background on what you are trying to say. What do you mean by the demographics? What are your data sources and what is the data? I merely point out that on the surface religion doesn't seem to be a good prophylactic against ending up in jail.
My personal experience indicates that friends under the influence of religion behave no more civil and moral than friends without a religious bent.
hey Haredi World Community christ already came and your ancesters crucified him. remember? but no don't believe that .stick your head right back in sand,ask your self one question, what if you are wrong? ever thought of that?
jesus died for no one....if you are a bad person, a murderer, a rapist.....child molester....you will pay in the next world. Hitler is still facing all the people he thought he killed...just as G W Bush will face all the children he killed in Iraq.
Jesus did NOT cleanse anybody's soul.....you have to pay the taxman......it's all mythological bull schit....
that's all......just like mohamed...and budha...all of it......religions are money machines, that's all..... God is free and it is about love....and if don't learn about LOVE....then you are gonna be unable to spin with the light when the wheels start spinning.....get ready for the wheels folks when you die....LOOK OUT......and the cicadas...
the answers are inside....it is in your mind!!! I am the way for me. YOU are the way for YOU.....have a good heart...love your mother and family members.....be a good person and you will be okay in the next world...
nothing is yours except your soul....and the BIG-G will protect you if you good, but if NOT...you must
experience the pain you put out.....good luck......
And what if YOU'RE wrong? Did you think about that?
I have. And I decided that rather than trying to figure out which ludicrous clutch of myths is most likely to result in eternal salvation or reward or whatever, I'll just lead as good a life as I can manage and try not to hurt anybody. I might be wrong, but at least I'll save myself a lot of grief and time otherwise spent praying to things that probably don't exist.
the jews, the muslims, the christians, the Budhists.....they are all killing each other and they have been for centuries.....I just want to know when it is gonna stop? All MOMS love their kids.....it doesn't matter what religion you are? Why can't people live in peace? If jesus is gonna save us....well what is he waiting for? All these religions are NOT working...and if we don't start changing ourselves we will leave nothing for our kids. Well, guess what folks, that's what's gonna happen. WE ARE GONNA BLOW EACH OTHER UP.....and NO it is NOT gonna happen in Dec of 2012....the "mayan" bull@!$%#.....
it is all mythological bull@!$%# folks....mankind has to start changing.....and it is NOT gonna happen. So the only thing I have to say is just try to get laid as many times as you can before you die.......and let somebody else think about it. And if nobody want to cooperate with you, watch porn...buy a whore..or go to a strip club......and forget about it....you certainly ain't gonna get any sex from your....you know....WIFE!!!....you can forget about that one.....
...then lady and gentlemen.....after the orgasm.......you won't be thinking about this planet...for about ...oh about 20 minutes........then you will be dreaming about another bj again...
okay....well....all you women now who have read this.....cram it.....go surf on the net and look at the all the porn sites...
yeah...i'm crazy......I don't think so......now go into the bedroom.....and start moaning at your husband....
Jesus won't be saving any of them because they don't see him as lord and savior. He would only be saving the Christians
I have been to Yad Vashem before, and always left in tears. It is an amazing place that makes you realize the true evil of some people, and how horrific that evil is when you see it first hand. To vandalize this place is an abomination.
Ultra Orthodox Jews are entitled to their opinion as is everyone else. However, vandalism is not an appropriate means to express those opinions. Next time try writing a letter to the editor or form a peaceful demonstration or hand out leaflettes, etc.
"Why can't we just get along?"
There is just so much division and hatred in the world today. Applauding the Fascist Dictator? A religious person would see the hand of the Devil in all of this.
I see the actions of some very very sick people whose pathology, like that of the Fascist Dictator-which-shall-remain-nameless here, can cause untolled misery for countless others.
I hope the perpetrators will be found, brought to real justice and receive punishment and treatment for their abominable behavior.
That's disgusting that someone would deface that...probably stupid kids who have no idea what they're doing...
Any religious faith that maintains that it's members are in some way superior to those not of the faith is a potential threat to peaceful co-existence, particularly when that faith is the basis to form a new country. Unfortunately, Judaism falls in that category (along with others) and teaches it's people are "chosen" by God and are entitled to benefits that Gentiles are not, and often at their expense, and that's one reason why most Israelis consider non-Jews second class people. It's why the form of "ethnic cleansing" with the illegal settlements are not a problem of conscience for many Jews. (It's in the Old Testament bible, of course, so it's not an "unreasonable" conclusion for them to reach).
Many Christians also share this view which is also very unfortunate, as by doing so they are promoting, endorsing and enabling wars that are anything but Christian. Zionism is a really bad idea. It's bad for Jews and non-Jews alike.
Religion will always be the cause of many problems. It doesn't matter which religion, because all of them are exposed to this type of hatred, It is said that some people in this world have to go to the extreme to show how crazy they are in this world
I'm wondering how, since the vandals were Jewish, Israel is going to capitalize on this 'anti-Semitism'. Is Israel going to tell the US to go kill them since they want to 'wipe Israel from the map'?
The 2008 presidential election has already occurred so what is the issue? Suppose they could be concerned about the 2012 elections.
With friends like these who needs enemies???
I can't help but wonder if the vandals were being sarcastic when praising Hitler... after all, if not for the Holocaust, there wouldn't have been millions of displaced Jews to relocate into the Middle East; they'd still be living peacefully in Europe. So even if you oppose Israel, Adolph is STILL the bad guy.
Maybe they're just not that into history.
If you read the "Thank you, Hitler" statment for what it meant, it was sarcasm. Some people believe that Hilter was Israel's greatest hero - because it's their vicitimization during the holocaust that the entire world continues paying for....like there's never been another genocide besides the holocaust.
Some people believe that was part of the plan - so yeh, Israel owes its existence in part to Hitler. Were it not for his holocaust, we wouldn't have to hear about their vicitimization every single friggin' day.
"Ultra Orthodox Extremists", "Conservative Roman Catholics", and "Ultra Radical T.E.A. Party Members".
Each of these groups seems almost "hell-bent" on having their way, in this world.
Why do people continue to think that violence, including the invasion, of NON-aggressor nations, is the best way to handle situations?
The Ultra Orthodox have resorted to vandalism.
Conservative Roman Catholics march, and hold public demonstrations, against any issue they dont agree with.
The Ultra-Radical T.E.A. Party actually sat, in the corridors, of the U.S. Congress, howling and screaming, to get their point across.
What does this say about the human race?
Currently, there is even a move on, to end the use of the "N" word, in referring to black people, but I hear nothing about abolishing the "H" word, in regards to white people.
With all of this radical behavior still going on, in the 21st century, is it any wonder that exterrestrials AVOID any major contact, with humans?
How can we consider ourselves "civilized" when we cannot even share the same planet, without constantly antagonizing one another?
Is this REALLY the definition of "civilization"?
Lobotomized Liberal Zombie. That's you
Liberals dont?
Commander, all "groups" that identify themselves according to a unique political agenda are "hell-bent" on getting their way. If they weren't, then they wouldn't waste the time and resources to get together and work toward a cause.
You certainly forgot environmentalists (who have been known to commit illegal acts in pursuit of their goals), Communists, Unions, and mass protest movements besides the tea parties. Just because you might agree with them (and I'm not saying you do) doesn't mean they're any different from the Axis of Villainy you described.
BTW, if sitting in a hall and shouting is your idea of disgraceful, uncivilized behavior, you should get some perspective; we live in a world where people are quite frequently beaten and killed because they don't support a certain democratic cause or party and it's still quite common for people's first reaction to a bad government decision to be warfare. I consider shouting at the people you don't like in the seat of power to be downright gentlemanly by comparison. So yes, this is, indeed, "civilization". I have no idea what you were expecting, but this is almost as good as it gets.
BTW, what is the "H" word? I've never known a white person to be offended at a white slur (it's either white guilt, or maybe the astonishing success of their race dulls the sting), so I'm not up to date on the terms. The only slur I'm aware of is "cracker", and they tend to laugh that one off.
I think the "H" word is honky.
Great post, SF accountant.
Thanks.
"Honky"? Really? Well, why not. Doesn't make much more sense than the rest of 'em. Is it a noun or an adjective? As in "damn honky" or "honky bastard"?
You mean to tell me this is a sec of Jewish Faith saying and doing things like this to the victum of the Holocaust? How is that possible? It's unthinkable.
All religions are just palin sick !!!!!
Believing in Global Warming is palin sick! The whole "Green" movement is the Liberals get-rich-quick scheme. Worked for a little while, then people stopped being fools, and 900 scientists came out and told us that man made global warming was a hoax. Now, you Libs call it Climate Change. Definition of insanity, according to Einstein: Repeating the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. Liberals are INSANE! GOD bless them.
Wonder if the "ultra-Orthodox" jews would be thanking furer Hitler if their a$$es had been gased and burned up?!?!?
Just nothing like "ultra" anything. Ultra left, Ultra right = Ultra Stupid!!
Well, it proves the saying Jews have that, there is nothing worse than an anti-Semitic Jew. It is almost impossible to believe that a Jew would celebrate the Holocaust, but they must be a little masug.
Are you kidding me!!! radical ultra-Orthodox Jews!?! MSN reporters This is almost laughable you imply them in this article but leave out Israels other enemies. . . Instead of saying Neo Nazi sympathizers or even Muslim Terrorists could have POSSIBLY been the suspects, this article blames the Jews for victimizing themselves. All you readers better WAKE UP. This article has no proof that the Orthodox Jews did it, but to aviod being POLITICALLY INCorrect they blame these other Jews. . WAKE UP Israeli people your blind and can't even see that everyone is turning against you once more. . 1939 all over again
Well, according to the police, it was basically signed by the perpatrators:
"Police told The Jerusalem Post that one of the slogans read scrawled on the wall read: "Haredi World Community". Haredi are ultra-Orthodox extremists, some of whom regard modern-day Israel as an abomination"
So MSN isn't "implying" anything. Either they or the police completely made that up, or maybe (try to suspend your disbelief for a moment), they're right, and an organization which has a beef with Israel really did commit vandalism (which is a common crime amongst communities that have to deal with ultra-orthodox groups).
The graffiti doesn't consistently follow the logic: If you think the Jews instigated the Holocaust, why thank Hitler? Face it: the Jews are (and always have been) an easy target for discontent.
Somebody's always mad that somebody else doesn't pray right.
It is because of radical groups like these, and the ignorant people they influence, we need to educate our own people and keep a strong military. There are certain groups that are beyond reason, beyond diplomacy, beyond compassion for their fellow man. One thing these groups usually have in common when they hate, kill, and spread their ideology of hatred......................God himself. I'm sure this is what God wants and he will reward those who seek the killing of others in his name or in this case the praise of killers responsible for the genocide of over six million people. The vandals know this to be true because they themselves, are very religious people.
I'm not sure why this behavior (or that of any radical group) warrants a strong military. Putting extra cash into jets and tanks doesn't affect fringe political activists, and even if you're attacked by radical terrorists, a strong military won't help you stop the attacks (though it's handy for killing the terrorists later).
In a recent History Channel documentary on Adolf Hitler it was said that Hitler had Jewish ancestry on his father's side. His father was a very abusive man who would beat young Adolf for the slightest thing. Of course he couldn't have cared less when his father died in 1902, so it's no surprise that Adolf might have associated the Jews with his wicked father, hence his unreasoning hatred for them. It was also revealed that Hitler has three or four descendants living in the U.S., all U.S. citizens who would rather not reveal their evil heritage to the world. As for this senseless act, I'm not surprised. Nothing much about these modern times surprises me anymore.