Beyond Innocence and Redemption: Confronting the Holocaust and Israeli Power : Creating a Moral Future for the Jewish People

ISBN: 0060622156

Author: Marc H. Ellis

Examines the emerging Holocaust consciousness after World War II which saw Jewish suffering as mandating empowerment in Israel, and which also recognized some of the dangers inherent in empowerment. Analyzes the views of Jewish Holocaust theologians such as Elie Wiesel, Emil Fackenheim, and Irving Greenberg. Contends that their theology, depicting Jewish suffering and innocence and specialness, has become normative in Jewish conversation and activities, and this Holocaust theology is used as legitimation for oppressing the Palestinians. Describes, also, Palestinian and Christian viewpoints on Israel's actions. Calls for a confrontation with state power and its legitimating force (i.e. Zionism and Holocaust theology), based on the Jewish tradition of dissent, in order to recover the ethical tradition at the heart of Judaism.