Nascent Anti-Semitism
Just as the horrors of Auschwitz are being remembered, here is a story about ‘anti-Jewish’ propaganda in Armenia. Of course Armen Avetisian, leader of the Armenian Aryan Union is openly anti-semitic, and just having a political party which such a name says a lot.
Armenia’s Jewish community is estimated to number less than 1,000 people. It is largely formed of scientists and other professionals who moved to Armenia in the 1960s and ’70s to escape persecution in Russia and Ukraine. Most integrated quickly into society, marrying ethnic Armenians and adopting Armenian surnames.
However, this page suggests that Jews have been present for much longer in Armenia.
In October 2000 a group of three experts from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem surveyed an ancient Jewish cemetery in Armenia. Director of the expedition was Hebrew University’s Professor of Armenian Studies, Michael Stone and he was joined by archeologist David Amit and by Armenian Studies graduate student and professional photographer Yoav Loeff. In Yerevan they also met Sergio LaPorta, Harvard Armenian Studies doctoral student, who spent last year in Jerusalem.
The cemetery is in the region of Vayots Dzor, south and west of Yerevan. The Hebrew University group worked closely with the Primate of the Diocese of Siwniq, Bishop Abraham Mkrtchyan, who strongly supports the study of the unusual and very important find and provided much assistance to the scholars and archeologists. Over 40 tombstones were found at this site, and on them were 16 inscriptions in Hebrew and Aramaic. The find is unprecedented and there is no information in known historical sources about a Jewish minority in Armenia in the Middle Ages: the inscriptions are dated to the late thirteenth and early fourteenth century.
Firstly, I would like to say that I support Armen Avetisian and he is not anti-Semite. His announcements regarding Jewish community in Armenia are absolutely true.
Based on facts, Rima Varzhabetyan spoke against the Armenian National Security [Armenian National Interests]. She spoke on behalf of the Jewish community in Armenia, that they do not recognize the Nagorno-Karabakh state.
“Armenia’s Jewish community is estimated to number less than 1,000 people. It is largely formed of scientists and other professionals who moved to Armenia in the 1960s and ’70s to escape persecution in Russia and Ukraine. Most integrated quickly into society, marrying ethnic Armenians and adopting Armenian surnames.”
Jews were moving to southern parts of Russia before the revolution. So I believe, by 1906 there must have been a large number of Jews livigin in Armenian state.
“However, this page suggests that Jews have been present for much longer in Armenia.”
Which part of Armenia? Mets Hayq or Poqr Hayq? Jews were migrated to Van by Tigran II Mets The King of the Kings. Since then there is not much written about jews in the Armenian history. But there have been many jewish movenets (Ashkenazi) in Armenian states.
My last questions are for Matt (The author of this website). Matt, please honestly answer to my following questions:
Why are you interested with Armenian culture?
Why do you run a website that may seem controled by Armenian person? (The texts: Բլոգրել, բլոգրում եմ, եւ այլն)
Why do you think that in Armenia there shall not be movement that is protecting the National Interests?
Thank you.
Comment by Հակոբ Գեւորգյան — 1/29/2005 @ 12:21 pm
Hakob,
I am interested in Armenia simply through having travelled there. I am interested in many contries (my interest in Japan brought me to Japan for over 10 years), Armenia is somewhere I think is “special” if that is the right word. Mainly, I am intrigued by Armenian people, and their character.
I am not sure what you mean by ‘controled by Armenian person’. I control this website, and have made every part of it. Of course it would be nothing without the comments of people like you, and I have never pretended to be an expert on Armenia or to have any special wisdom to impart to the people of Armenia.
I simply thought I could add to the platforms the English-speaking people of Armenia and the Diaspora have to exchange opinions.
Of course the Armenian people are very good at protecting their national interests. There are many such forums and movements for this.
It’s my priviledge to have travelled to Armenia and met many wonderful people. I hope in the future many more non-Armenians will have the same experience as me.
Matt
Comment by Matt — 1/29/2005 @ 1:57 pm
I would have thought that most Armenians would be happy that Matt has used the Armenian language for his web site. Not because he wants to pretend it’s run by an Armenian but because he has taken on board his experiences in Armenia. Actually, this is a little bit of a stupid allegation to make because Matt makes it known who he is just as Armenians do when they write in English.
As for the anti-semetic thing, there is no excuse for racial hatred and intolerance. We don’t like it when Israelis, Turks and whoever else show the same attitudes so why are we so hypocritical by doing the same? Simply, any reasoned person would dislike racism whether it comes from an Armenian, Turk or Jew. Plain and simple.
Anyway, national interests are an interesting concept. Is Armenia a nation formed solely on ethnicity or is a nation where EVERY Armenian CITIZEN is treated as equal regardless of ethnic origin? Hopefully, it is the latter.
Comment by Onnik Krikorian — 1/30/2005 @ 2:34 am
Anti-semitism and xenophobia are abhorrent in any form, anywhere. However, the whole thing with Armen Avetisian is taken out of proportion, I think. The person is mentally deranged, obviously, as he champions such exoteric subjects as who’s gay in the government and sabotaging the social security card distribution. His party was one of 19 parties running in 2003 elections, and came last with 3464 votes (0.2%).
For a balanced coverage, visit ArmeniaNow at http://www.armenianow.com/eng/?go=pub&id=488
Comment by Krikor — 1/30/2005 @ 11:06 am
You are missing one important point.
We, Armenians, know it well that Jews have been against the Armenian Interests for centuries. Now I wonder, what makes YOU to believe that we, Armenians, will forget what Jews have done to us?
Just go read historical books a little, and don’t follow to POLITICS a lot, because it is brainwashing YOUR things and it’s bad for your health too…
Comment by Հայ — 1/30/2005 @ 12:54 pm
It is a shame that someone who cares about the well being of our culture, our people and our nation is taken to jail. This way, they try to brake our Armenian dignity. Why is it that out of all the nationalities in the world, Jews are the ones that are the most hated. For centuries, all of the nations sooner or later have taken the same approach against the Jews. Its just a matter of time for people to realize what they are doing, and most of the time it is already to late. Sooner everyone wakes up, better it would be. Look at the United States. Everything from the banks to the legislature is controlled by them. They are the most racist people in the world and yet they blame everyone else. Its sad that they do everything under the name of the United States, and it is the Americans who look bad infront of everyone. It is a proven fact that all of the pure nations or Aryans are considered the enemy of the Jews. Since Armenians are one of the most true nationals (Aryans) then we are their enemy also. Doesn’t matter what they say and how they act. Armenians and many other countries are their enemy and we have to do something about it. Their goal is to mix all the nations so no pure nationality exists. Reading the previous posts, I am very glad that there are many Armenians who know what is going on and they are not afraid to talk about it.
Comment by ArmenianPride — 2/6/2005 @ 6:09 am