Goldmann Calls for ‘normalization’ of Jewish-german-israeli Relations

The normalization of the relationship between the Jewish people and Germany, and, in a more formal way, between the State of Israel and the Federal Republic, was urged here today by Dr. Nahum Goldmann, president of the World Jewish Congress.

Addressing a memorial concert sponsored jointly by the American Federation of Jews from Central Europe, and Aufbau, a German-language Jewish weekly, Dr. Goldmann said that such normalization was “inevitable, although it must come gradually as difficult psychological inhabitations and emotions are involved which require time to overcome.” He urged Jewish leaders to “have the courage to proceed on this road, despite a natural resistance by parts of Jewish public opinion.” In many respects, Dr. Goldmann declared, “as for instance in the problem of diplomatic relations with Israel, the initiative has to come from the Germans, and it should not be delayed too long.”

Describing the relationship between the Jewish people and Germany as “psychologically and morally the most difficult and delicate problem facing our Jewish generation of today,” Dr. Goldmann warned that the Jews must not try to ignore the existence of Germany and the problem of German-Jewish relations “as many Jews would like to do.” “The existence of Germany and its increasing importance in world affairs.” Dr. Goldmann declared, “is an objective part which no unrealistic attempt of the Jewish people it ignore it could change. Therefore, it was the proper thing to start years ago, negotiations with the Federal Republic on indemnification and reparations. The result was not only of tremendous material importance to Israel and hundreds of thousands of Jewish Nazi victims; but, by acting generously, Germany has facilitated its rehabilitation and its coming back into the family of civilized nations.”

Stressing that the Jews can never forget what was done to them in the Nazi period, “nor should the Germans try to forget it,” Dr. Goldmann said that “the knowledge of what they have done must become part of the Germans’ historical conscience as a precondition for their moral re-education which would make the recurrence of such horrors impossible.”

Warning that the Jewish people must always remain on guard, Dr. Goldmann said: “Our generation has committed the sin of underestimating the Nazi movement in its beginning. Much of the tragedy would have been avoided, if our people would not have taken this easy-going attitude. And, although one cannot foresee under normal circumstances a repetition of the Nazi period, it is obvious that the Jewish people must remain watchful and rather be oversensitive to symptoms of neo-Nazisro in Germany and elsewhere, that indifferent.”