Latest news with #Leser
The Age
18-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
We must reject the double standard
To submit a letter to The Age, email letters@ Please include your home address and telephone number below your letter. No attachments. See here for our rules and tips on getting your letter published. GAZA WAR Thanks, David Leser ('Israel's actions in Gaza indefensible', 17/5), you are correct – the silencing and intimidation need to stop. We are taught that all lives are equal, yet when Palestinian children are killed, we are silenced. I was told it might make others uncomfortable merely referencing it in academic discussions at university. We are told that Israeli transgressions belong to another moral ledger, one that must never tip against them, lest we be tarred as antisemitic. Challenge this, and you'll be harassed on campus, and intimidated while our leaders sit on their hands. October 7, 2023, was a nightmare we all recognise but so, too, were the 10 years before it, in which thousands of Palestinians were killed. We must reject the double standard that some lives demand a trumpet call, while others elicit silence. This is the Palestine Exception — and until it is dismantled, our claims to justice will ring hollow. Al Harkness, Belmont, Geelong A mutating virus In criticising an antisemitism definition for having an 'undue emphasis on Israel', David Leser ignores the truth best expressed by the UK's late chief rabbi, Jonathan Sacks, who described antisemitism as a mutating virus. That is, whereas they used to be hated for their religion, and then for their race, today Jews are most acutely hated for their nation state. Which helps explain why Israel has been accused of genocide in virtually every war of self-defence that it has fought, despite its neighbours being explicit about their genocidal intent on the Jewish state. Regardless of what definition of antisemitism is used, Leser need not be concerned about the muzzling of criticism of Israel any time soon. Geoff Feren, St Kilda East Israel is acting on its security concerns In criticising the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism for supposedly being overprotective of Israel, David Leser neglects to mention it specifically states that criticising Israel as you would any other country is not antisemitic. In saying it's antisemitic to describe Israel's existence as a racist endeavour, the definition doesn't refer to Israel's behaviour, as Leser implies. Those who favour the Jerusalem Declaration definition do so because it lets them feel it's somehow not antisemitic to deny Jewish self-determination while demanding that same right for others. Leser's accusations of apartheid and genocide are simply wrong. All Israeli citizens have equal rights, and the restrictions in the West Bank are purely for security, necessitated by terrorism. In Gaza, Israel attacks civilian buildings and facilities only because Hamas illegally militarises them. Israel blocked aid because Hamas steals and uses it to consolidate its power, but deliveries will soon resume. Jamie Hyams, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council Time to call out war crimes Great article by David Leser. When are we going to see our Australian government clearly calling out the war crimes being repeatedly committed by the current Israeli government in Gaza? But more importantly, when will we see Jewish leaders saying enough is enough? Roger Byrne, Elsternwick Our silence makes us complicit US President Donald Trump acknowledges that 'people are starving' in Gaza yet openly backs the military campaign causing their starvation (''People are starving,' says Trump as strikes kill 250', 18/5). This isn't mere inconsistency, Trump's words of compassion mask conscious complicity. Starvation in Gaza is neither accidental nor unforeseen — the United Nations has 160,000 pallets of critical aid waiting, but Israel's blockade ensures they never arrive. We are witnessing more than war: this is the systematic erasure of a population's capacity to live. Trump's remarks reveal a troubling global truth: today's leaders openly acknowledge immense suffering, and then actively enable it. The scandal isn't only Israel's brutality — it's our quiet complicity. Australia must ask itself: if we know this is happening, what have we done about it? Fernanda Trecenti, Fitzroy THE FORUM Honour his memory Such immense sadness at the news of Adam Selwood's death (''It breaks your heart': Football mourns Selwood', 18/5). My heartfelt sympathy to the Selwood family, but also to our human family. The cost of being human is vulnerability and this is often misunderstood and neglected. The sporting world is all the richer for having known Adam, and now all the poorer for his absence. The mark Adam has left on all who knew him was profound and may they honour his memory to live a little better for having known him. Julie Ottobre, Brunswick East
Sydney Morning Herald
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Sydney Morning Herald
Jews and Palestinians deserve dignity equally
David Leser is right: what Israel is doing in Gaza is indefensible (' Israel's actions in Gaza indefensible ', May 17). The mass killing of civilians, starvation and destruction of homes and hospitals cannot be justified. Language matters. Anti-semitism — unlike most racism — is often bound up with tone, implication and intent. Its shape-shifting nature explains why no single definition suffices. As Leser writes, 'Judgment and sensitivity are needed.' Holocaust comparisons, in careless, malign or cynical hands, become Twitter gotchas, not moral insights. Far left and far right alike accuse Jews of 'controlling the media or government' – and some far-left Jews give this language cover. That's not solidarity with Palestine; it's betrayal. But collective punishment, whether of Palestinians or Jews, helps no one. As Leser's article makes clear, Palestinian civilians are now enduring the worst form of it imaginable. Hamas and the Israeli government each treat human life with contempt. Each radicalises the other. And social media – our great engine of outrage – keeps us loyal to our 'team' at all costs. Are we not capable of more than his? Jews and Palestinians are related peoples, both indigenous to the land. Both deserve dignity. What Netanyahu and his cohorts are doing is a betrayal of that shared history – and of people like me, whose family was destroyed in the Holocaust. It is Kahanism. It is odious. Simon Tedeschi, Newtown It's always tempting to take the authoritarian path and declare that something should be compulsory reading for this or that bunch of people. That's particularly the case with David Leser's article. He presents an enlightened comparison between the two most highly publicised definitions of anti-semitism, that of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism. Acknowledging that the latter is not perfect, he exposes the perverse implications of the former that allow criticism of Israel to be immediately condemned as anti-semitic. Since one can't dictate the reading diet of politicians, editors or the officials of unrepresentative Jewish organisations, those who share Leser's dismay at Israel's inhumanity can only voice a plea for his analysis to be read widely and taken with the utmost seriousness. As he concludes, 'defending Palestinian life and dignity' is not anti-semitic, but 'an expression of our human and Jewish ethics'. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic) Thank you, David Leser. While I have been deeply anguished watching the slaughter in Gaza, I rarely spoke aloud, fearing expressing anti-semitic thoughts. I silenced myself. Your analysis of Israel's decimation of the people of Gaza is similar in style, if not in scale, to the Holocaust. Your analysis of different definitions of anti-semitism is liberating. This opinion does not ignore the horrific actions of Hamas. Victor Branson, Waterloo David Leser should not despair, what is being inflicted by Israel on the people of Gaza is not something Jews in general have to own responsibility for. It is something being carried out by a country against a captive group within its borders, by a leader whose bloodlust appears to only be capable of being satiated by murder on a grand scale. John Guy, St Ives Who could argue with David Leser's analysis? Who would want to? He speaks as a humanitarian with rationality and bravery in the interest of telling the truth about Gaza. The pain he undoubtedly feels in bringing Israel to account should be assuaged by the fact future historians will certainly agree we've witnessed a Palestinian Holocaust, consciously perpetrated by the people who, ironically, used their own Holocaust to justify their genocidal actions. Those who disagree with Leser need to put forward a rational argument as to where and why he's wrong. Simply dismissing him as 'anti-semitic' is to run away from reality. Tim Lenehan, Ballalaba Criticism of Israel's actions, when they are cruel and inhuman and violate the human rights of Palestinians, is not anti-semitic. Standing up for the weak and powerless when the aggressor is the state of Israel is not anti-semitism. Criticising the actions of Israel is not, by definition, anti-semitic. Our children and grandchildren will ask us how this genocide was allowed to happen. I don't think they'll find our fear of being called anti-semitic a convincing excuse for silence. Prue Nelson, Cremorne Point In criticising the IHRA definition of antisemitism for supposedly being overprotective of Israel, David Leser neglects to mention it specifically states that criticising Israel as you would criticise any other country is not anti-semitic. In saying it's anti-semitic to describe Israel's existence as a racist endeavour, the definition doesn't refer to Israel's behaviour, as Leser implies, but to suggesting Jewish self-determination in the Jewish homeland is somehow racist. Those who favour the Jerusalem Declaration do so because it lets them feel it's somehow not anti-semitic to deny Jewish self-determination in their homeland while demanding that same right for others. Leser's accusations of apartheid, genocide and deliberate starvation are simply wrong. All Israeli citizens have equal rights, and the restrictions in the West Bank are purely for security, necessitated by terrorism. In Gaza, Israel evacuates civilians for their safety, rather than targeting them as a genocidal army would do, and it only attacks civilian buildings and facilities because Hamas illegally militarises them, making them legitimate and important targets. Israel blocked aid, after enough entered Gaza to last for months, because Hamas steals and uses it to consolidate its power, but deliveries will soon resume. Jamie Hyams, Director of Public Affairs, Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Melbourne (Vic) Energy divides Coalition Apparently, Australians don't know their own minds (' Trump set to bedevil Coalition ', May 17). According to Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie, 'Obviously, our country is best served by a strong Nationals-and Liberals Coalition government'; she went on to suggest this Coalition may not hold. At the heart of the Coalition's troubles – Peter Hartcher characterises it as a 'civil war' – is energy policy. With many Coalition members still denying the need to commit to renewables, and the consequent policy insecurity that that signals to investors, Canavan, Joyce and others see their chance to dump the by-now totally inadequate net zero target. Ted O'Brien tries to square the circle by still advocating nuclear to achieve it. All this should be, in light of the election result, a moot point as Labor ploughs on with our energy transformation. Yet it seems the Nationals will continue their lobbying and stirring, particularly in regions where renewables are seeking social licence. But what most, including the National Farmers Federation, understand is that we are in a race against climate change. The Coalition can no longer hold us back. Fiona Colin, Malvern East (Vic) Saudis send signal Nothing sends a more powerful signal about the future of energy than Saudi Arabia planning to become a renewable energy superpower (' Trump and Saudi's crown prince truly deserve each other ', May 17). It has gained more than any other nation from the oil boom of the past 50 years, but also has the most to a nation whose destiny is also tied to fossil fuels, Australia would do well to heed this lesson. Sooner or later, demand for our coal and gas will decline, then enter a tailspin. We will need new exports to fill the gap. The sooner we start planning for this the better. Ken Enderby, Concord Confusion over super is taxing I'm a bit concerned that your correspondent (Letters, May 17) thinks he should be taxed on his superannuation. Did he not pay tax during his working life? Does his super fund not pay tax? Does he not pay tax on the income from his investments? I appreciate his sentiments, but he hasn't given it much thought. In any event, Jim Chalmers does indeed want to introduce tax on superannuation balances over $3 million. Jenny Greenwood, Hunters Hill The tax system is very broken when one can legally pay no tax, or when there is a tax on a tax. A progressive (income tax) and flat tax (GST) with a combination of legal but dubious deductions is a recipe for tax chaos that makes for an unfair system that seems to benefit the wealthy. Peter Mohacsi, Bowral I agree with your correspondent who suggests retirees on generous super payouts need to be taxed. Self-managed super funds have become like a magic pudding. The more one cuts into them, the greater they grow. If the fund is large enough, payments are quickly replaced by capital gains of one kind or another after the annual drawdown. And no taxes are levied. For many retirees, the income from investments in retirement can become much greater than the taxable wages earned during their working lives. This is a strange inversion. I note that the major policy of one of the few Liberal candidates still hanging out for a seat is that no taxation be levelled at superannuation income. No wonder he's struggling. Fear and greed remain the twin emotions of capitalism. We can do better. Bruce Wilson, Merewether Heights Oh, what an opportunity we missed when the proposed reforms of the opposition were buried at the 2019 election. Negative gearing applicable only to new dwellings, change in capital gains, a small tax of 15 per cent on retirement fund incomes above $100,000 – what a difference these would have made to the housing situation and budget repair. My highly credentialled daughter works six days a week to earn little more than my fund earnings of $128,000, yet she pays $37,000 in tax per year and I pay none. How inequitable is that? Looks like another Boomer-ing advantage over everyone n else. Duncan Cameron, Lane Cove Why not simply give or donate more? Edward Loong, Milsons Point Patriotism still not accepted 'Progressive patriotism' (Letters, May 17) must be intended as a foil to the MAGA-style regressive patriotism we see in the US, but the expression reeks of overkill: we don't face the same situation as Canada, where patriotism has a much sharper edge as a result of Trump not only wanting to make America great, but territorially greater by annexing a sovereign nation. Here, those leaning to the right will see 'progressive' as a Trojan horse potentially unleashing a Pandora's box of policies to upend the status quo, while for others on the left the idea of lining up under a jingoistic 'patriotism' banner is a move well outside their comfort zone. This surely is a political slogan with a limited shelf-life. Doug Walker, Baulkham Hills Patriotism is a poor choice for Labor's slogan. For many people, it conjures up memories of the last century, when most of the wars could be traced back to scoundrels and despots hiding behind the banner of patriotism to expand their empires. When linked with 'progressive', which implies looking to the future, the slogan has the ring of an oxymoron, and Labor would be unwise to fall in behind the moron who proposed it. I agree with letter writers that 'patriotism' is also a quality that can be trumpeted by all political wannabes across the spectrum, and so it becomes meaningless. John Vigours, Neutral Bay Good news for the environment Given the dire state of our natural environment, it is encouraging that new Environment Minister Murray Watt is prioritising reform of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (' Watt revamps environment laws Albanese once blocked ', May 17). His first test is whether to allow a 50-year extension of Woodside's North West Shelf fossil gas terminal. Approval will compromise Labor's climate credentials, threaten marine species at Scott Reef, degrade ancient Murujuga rock art and impose global costs. Climate harm caused by BHP, Rio Tinto, Santos, Whitehaven and Woodside between 1991-2020 exceeds $900 billion. With a strong mandate from the electorate to act on climate change, this is an opportunity for Minister Watt and Labor to demonstrate leadership. The world cannot afford 50 more years of Woodside's pollution. Karen Lamb, Geelong (Vic) Bad luck to be old My congratulations to Nola Tucker (Letters, May 17) on her well-written 'apology' to NSW hospital commissioner Beasley and the Minns government over her 'nonagenarian husband' occasionally being forced to occupy a public hospital bed. We of the pre-Boomer generation are slow to anger, but once our ire is well aglow, it would be as well to recall that we still vote and have loving families who also vote, and that 'young puppy' politicians and bureaucrats with gratuitous insults will feel our sting. Ian Usman Lewis, Armidale I do apologise to residents of NSW for being part of 'an avalanche of ageing' and, worse, for having 'high expectations' of our health system. If it's any consolation. the 'ageing' thing has quite taken me by surprise too. Peter Skinner, Beecroft Gambling with society Tim Costello is spot-on (' Ministry pairing 'conflict of interest ‴ , May 17). Gambling, especially sports gambling, is a dead-set national health issue. The only role sporting codes, media companies and wagering firms should play in its discussion is about how many zillions of dollars they will contribute to address the massive damage they have done. Who's running our nation – our federal government or the various sporting codes, media companies and wagering firms? Col Shephard, Yamba Sad loss Condolences to Sussan Ley on the death of her mother (‴ Gift of fate': Sussan Ley mourns death of mother Angela ', May 17). Irrespective of your age or status, the loss of a parent is one of the saddest and most harrowing of all of life's experiences. Stephanie Edwards, Leichhardt
Russia Today
06-05-2025
- General
- Russia Today
‘They gave us bread instead of fear': How Soviet soldiers shaped German childhoods after WWII
The fate of Germans in the aftermath of World War II continues to be a subject of reflection and discussion. The memories are as varied as the people who lived them. Sadly, the number of eyewitnesses who can share their firsthand experiences is dwindling with each passing year. That makes it all the more important to give a voice to those who are still with us. RT's German-language editorial team recently reached out to its readers, inviting them to record and submit their own recollections – or the stories passed down by relatives – about the early postwar years. From East and West, Germany and Austria, readers shared a broad range of experiences: encounters with Russian soldiers, both positive and negative, and personal reflections on the war itself. These deeply personal letters from our German readers have now been translated into English. Letter 1: A warm loaf amid the ruins I met Red Army soldiers for the first time in 1947, when I was just six years old. In September of that year, I started school in the city of Chemnitz. As many know, this Saxon industrial city suffered extensive damage due to air raids carried out by British and American forces between February 6 and April 11, 1945. My route to school took me past the ruins that lined the streets on either side. On one busy street, I often watched a Red Army soldier standing in the middle of an intersection, directing traffic. The soldier stood there regardless of rain and wind, heat and cold. One day, as I walked home from school, I noticed a crowd gathered around a Russian truck. My curiosity piqued, I edged closer to see what was happening. Two soldiers were handing out... bread! It was freshly baked, still warm, and smelled wonderful. One of the soldiers spotted me standing off to the side, feeling utterly lost, close to the adults who reached eagerly for the bread. Suddenly, he pointed at me, waved at me and handed me half a loaf. Overjoyed by this unexpected gift, I ran home and gave the bread to my speechless parents. It was November 1947. Peter M. Letter 2: Cherries and new beginnings I was born in June 1945, and thus you could say I celebrated the end of the war while still in my mother's womb. My mother, born in 1921, had managed to get a job as a clerk at the Aviation Testing Center in Rechlin, located north of Berlin. My father, born in 1919, worked there too as a mechanic, repairing planes for the Eastern Front. He held no allegiance to National Socialism or the war itself. As the Soviet army closed in on Berlin, the testing center was disbanded, and my father, along with other able-bodied men, was ordered to go to Berlin. He didn't want to support Nazi Germany or be part of the conflict, nor did he wish to throw his life away in the dying throes of a battle already lost. He didn't want to be forced to shoot others and carry that degrading burden for the rest of his life. Meanwhile, his pregnant wife had to travel alone through perilous roads to get to her in-laws in the relatively safe Sauerland. He wanted to be with her, and dreamed of a new life once the madness of the war was over, hoping to take part in the political revival of his hometown. As a child, he suffered a knee injury that wasn't too troublesome unless he bumped it hard enough for it to swell significantly. In those moments, he had a desperate idea: to hit his knee with a log to provoke the swelling. When the military doctor examined him, he scribbled a note: 'Gefreiter Hesse – to the nearest military hospital.' That played a vital role. He kept his pistol with him, just in case he encountered the 'chain dogs' – i.e., the military police. Fortunately, he never crossed paths with them; he rode his bicycle to Schleswig-Holstein, a peaceful region occupied by British troops. There, he changed into civilian clothes and spent a few weeks working on a farm before making his way to the military hospital in Sauerland. He arrived just in time to witness the final days of his wife's pregnancy and my birth in a hospital that wasn't destroyed in the war. In the spring of '45, the cherry tree in our garden bloomed uncommonly early, gifting my mother with a big plate of cherries. The hospital bill for her two-week stay, the delivery of the baby, and the week-long stay with the baby amounted to 79.92 Reichsmarks. I still have that handwritten note from the doctor along with the bill. Since then, the cherry tree has never bloomed that early again. Reinhard Hesse Letter 3: Rice, sugar, and a lifesaving act of kindness I'm Austrian, and I'll turn 80 this November, which means I was born after the war ended. Lower Austria was part of the Russian occupation zone, and we rented a house in the village of Reidling in the Tulln district. The wife of a Russian officer lived in the same house with her young daughter. They occupied just one room, so they were given the best apartment in Sitzenberg-Reidling. This woman saved my life! When I was only a few weeks old, my mother was devastated to learn that I had a severe intestinal infection. The Russian woman heard about my mother's plight and sent her a full bag of rice and sugar. My mother sorted through the rice and made me porridge. That saved me. I will always be grateful to that kind and compassionate woman! Later, as an adult, I learned Russian at language courses offered by Swiss television. I now live in Vorarlberg, near the Swiss border. I needed Russian for my work as a foreign correspondent. I still work in that capacity, though now not with Russia but with Uzbekistan. But my Russian skills still come in handy. Unfortunately, it's currently impossible to work with Russia due to anti-Russia sanctions. I've only been to Russia once – I visited Saint Petersburg to attend language courses. Saint Petersburg is a dream city! I would love to visit Russia again and see Moscow. I sincerely hope that Western countries will reconsider their absurd Russophobia. Here in Europe, we need to unite with Russia. Bringing together all these diverse and rich cultures, along with their many languages, would be wonderful! Marie-Louise D. Letter 4: Songs, bread, and a friendship across borders By the time the war ended, I was seven years old, and I started school around Easter of 1944. American troops had entered our hometown of Aschersleben. Before we children could even take a good look at them, they were already gone. Soon after, the Russians arrived. I still remember a Nazi poster depicting a bear in a hat with a red star reaching out to grab a woman with children – that's how they portrayed the Russians back then. Later, the Russian soldiers came in trucks, armored vehicles, on foot, and in other transportation. As they passed by our house, they sang. It was clear that these soldiers had gone through the whole war. I didn't understand the words, but they sounded beautiful in their own way. Fear lingered in our hearts, however. We were ordered to temporarily host them in our home. My parents cleared out the children's room, and the three of us moved to our parents' bedroom. In the children's room the only furniture that was left was a desk, another table, and a chair. Then they arrived – two men who, as we were told, were 'captains.' Both settled in our room, bringing their own beds with them. Soon, one of them spoke to my mother in flawless German. She was so taken aback that she remained speechless, which was rare for her. He introduced himself as a teacher of German from Omsk. He began asking about the 'boy' – meaning me. He mentioned that he had a son back home who was my age. He took me to their room, where a large portrait of Stalin now hung over our table. He explained that this was the commander-in-chief. Both men revered him. Igor – the teacher from Omsk – was the first Soviet soldier I got to know. He shared stories about his homeland, read me German poems, and sometimes we sang German songs together. He asked me to correct him if he made any mistakes. Times were tough, and food was scarce. Both officers brought us bread, butter, coal, and potatoes. In winter, my mother heated the room, and my father carried in coal, and sometimes we would eat together. They always asked for hot water for tea. A little over a year later, it was time to say goodbye. They were allowed to return home. Igor gifted me binoculars with an inscription meant to remind me of his friendship. At school, we were taught to love the Soviet Union. It felt natural for us to honor the memory of fallen heroes at the cemetery. May 8th was a holiday for us. I was always impressed by Soviet culture. We watched Soviet films, listened to Russian choirs, and learned about amazing Russian artworks from our art teacher. After finishing school, I acquired a profession and became an active member of the Free German Youth. In 1956, I voluntarily joined the German border police. Occasionally, I encountered Soviet soldiers. The exchange of watches was a significant event for us; every border guard took pride if they owned an 'Ural' watch or something similar. We used Soviet weapons that had been used in the war. They were still reliable. Later, I served in Zeithain and Magdeburg, where I became the commander of a SU-76 tank. During that time, we also maintained contact with the Soviet army, particularly concerning technical support. Starting in 1978, I attended the political officer training school for the German border police. Admiration for the Soviet Union felt natural to us. We read and heard a lot of stories about Soviet border guards, the significance of the Brest Fortress during WWII, and aspired to emulate our heroes. Jürgen Scholtyssek, Dresden Letter 5: A helping hand on the rooftop Seven years after the final shots of WWII faded away, I was born in Brandenburg. While I didn't directly witness the horrors of war, I belong to a generation that still saw some of its lingering effects. In the streets of Frankfurt an der Oder, it wasn't uncommon to encounter war veterans with missing limbs. They moved about on crutches or navigated three-wheeled carts operated with two wooden levers. Yet, what struck me as even stranger were the massive, ruined, gloomy buildings that loomed over the city. At six or seven years old, I had no real understanding of what had caused these ruins. In the city center, Soviet soldiers were busy scavenging for building materials. Tracked vehicles used steel cables to pull down the remaining walls of the wreckage. As children, we watched this process with great interest. One day, those soldiers invited us over. The language barrier didn't matter; they shared bread and soup with us. It was freshly baked, golden-brown whole grain bread, rectangular and warm. When an opportunity arose, one of the soldiers took me up to the roof of a partially destroyed building. The nearly nonexistent staircase in that drafty building didn't deter us. He firmly grasped my hand and helped me navigate the structure. Up on the roof, where various plants grew in the cracks, I encountered many unfamiliar sights and I remain grateful to him for that experience. These brief encounters deeply influenced how I perceived the 'Russians' . I didn't sense any hostility, arrogance, or rejection from them. 'Mama est?' (Do you have a mother?), 'Papa est?' (Do you have a father?), 'Brat est?' (Do you have a brother?) were the first Russian words I learned. Dr. Wolfgang Biedermann, Berlin Letter 6: Loss, shame, and the search for a better Germany I was born in January 1947. My family's military background profoundly shaped my early years. Like many Russian, French, and Greek families, I lost four uncles – my father's and mother's brothers – who died as a result of their involvement with the Wehrmacht on the front lines of the German war machine. I also lost several distant relatives. The pain of losing so many loved ones accompanied me throughout my childhood. My father survived the war with severe injuries. For my grandparents and our extended family, the cause of the war was clear: it was, to quote them, the 'unhealthy spirit of Hitler' and there was no doubt that we Germans bore full responsibility for the war and the inhumane suffering inflicted upon Europe. You ask if the end of the war brought liberation and a fresh start for Germans. It certainly felt like a release—primarily from Hitler and the Allied bombers. We were poor; everyone was poor – but that wasn't terrifying. The important thing was that the war was over. The 'unhealthy spirit of Hitler' and its destructive aftermath remained hot topics of discussion in our family for years. Stuttgart, where we lived, was first occupied by the French and later by Americans, and this had a significant impact on me. As a child, I was terrified of soldiers and would hide from every jeep – they seemed to be everywhere. Today, Stuttgart is home to the headquarters of US European Command (EUCOM) and US Africa Command (AFRICOM), so we still have a strong American military presence. For the adults in my large family, the fall of Hitler's regime brought great relief, but it came with a sense of shame: after all, the Nazi regime collapsed not because of the moral strength of the Germans, but as a result of the country's (well-deserved) defeat in the war. Losing the war didn't feel like a disaster, but the catastrophe caused by a world war – with its countless victims, suffering, and destruction – was certainly a disaster. In our family, it was often said that if Germany hadn't lost, Hitler and his accomplices would still be committing their atrocities today. My father felt strongly that we Germans needed to reconcile with our former 'enemies' and seek forgiveness from the victims. He actively participated in this effort. The remilitarization of Germany was firmly rejected, and Adenauer's policies in regard to the West were met with serious skepticism, even outright opposition. None of those around me wanted to join NATO. As I grew up in the 1960s, I was shocked to see how many Nazis – protected by Adenauer – still held important positions. Many had escaped accountability and taken on new identities; some were shielded by like-minded individuals despite their criminal past. The judicial system was very slow to carry out justice: many cases were ignored, and numerous investigations stalled. Then, Fritz Bauer was killed after the Auschwitz trials. Former Nazis could once again hold positions of Chancellor (Kiesinger) and Prime Minister (Filbinger). It seemed half of the older generation had 'skeletons in the closet' . This leads to another answer to your question about 'liberation' : there was no genuine 'liberation' because the perpetrators remained among us. However, Willy Brandt and Egon Bahr, with their determination and the slogan 'We want to dare more democracy' gave us Germans the chance to build a better world. We tried and seized those opportunities, for which I am deeply grateful. Now, however, former militarism, group intolerance, and a fierce thirst for power have resurfaced once again. War and violence are destroying lives in many parts of the world, once again, the Germans are directly involved. And so, my faith is rapidly fading. Rosemarie K.
