“I feel shame, a terrible shame. From my point of view treatment of Palestinians is like apartheid. I’m from the Second Generation and I know what I mean.”
Marcin Maciej Grynberg (Born 1970) Associate Professor at The Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Warsaw, Poland. Born in Warsaw, Graduated from The University of Warsaw. Former post-doc at The Burnham Institute, La Jolla, CA. Co-founder of the social scientist movement Citizens of Academia.
In your opinion, what importance, if any, does the existence of a Jewish state have to you personally and to Jewish people in general?
“For me – high importance. Statistics tips me you can have the whole spectrum. :-)”
Do you feel committed in some way to defend the future existence of Israel?
“When I was young and the first Intifada started I wanted to go to Israel and help. It was after my first visit to Israel, a real neophyte. Later it slowly changed to a completely different, more complex point of view, which says that I’m not committed to defend Israel in any circumstance. In some I even hope some punishment will do good to this country. :-(”
Do you affiliate yourself with a specific confessional division in Judaism? What is your view regarding the dominance of the Orthodox division in Israel religious establishment?
“I’m not religious. I’m sad there is any dominance instead of a more centered point of view.”
Do you feel morally responsible for Israel’s actions (such as its management of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict)?
“I feel shame, a terrible shame. From my point of view treatment of Palestinians is like apartheid. I’m from the Second Generation and I know what I mean.”
In your opinion, what is the main thing Israelis fail to understand about the reality of being Jewish outside of Israel?
“I don’t know. You know, two Jews, seven opinions. :-)”
How would you describe Israel’s policy (formally and in practice) regarding its relationship with the Diaspora?
“Let’s be precise: you ask about the government’s policy, right? That can change when politicians in power change. Basically I see it this way now with this gov’t: bring new Jews of any kind (even the ones who have no idea they can be in any way Jewish, like in Sth America) to increase the number of Jews with the growing Arab population, bring money, visit our country and see all marvels of beautiful Israel with not even a word on serious problems, like human rights violations, unemployment, influence of major powers in the Near East entanglement etc.”
In your opinion, does Israel have an obligation to defend and help Jewish communities in need?
“No.”
Have you ever been to Israel? if you have, can you summarize your impression from the Israeli reality?
“Yes.
1. Beautiful place, both Nature-wise and in majority of towns.
2. Very well developed with a lot of high tech companies.
3. Fantastic science.
4. People get mature fast during the army service. It’s a pleasure to talk to most of the people even if the Sabra effect is something a foreigner like me have to get used to and to accept it.
5. Helpful people.
6. Less and less people have any connection with the Palestinians therefore I see a growing problem of growing distance and lack of confidence and knowledge between the two populations.
7. Unemployment is now a serious problem especially with the massive Alliya PR of this gov’t.
8. Very low awareness of influence of larger powers in the conflict with Palestinians. Most probably nobody wants to know he’s just a pawn in someone’s game.”
Can you tell us a bit about the Jewish community in your hometown? Is it organized? Are there community activities?
“I live in Warsaw, Poland. The community is quite small, however the largest in Poland. We know each other, almost everyone. The community is a little split in between several organisations, religious of diverse kinds, non religious, thematic like Clubs of The Second Generation, Elders Club, magazines. I’m involved in actions of Warsaw JDC and JCC.”
Is there a question you feel should be added to the project’s questionnaire?
“What are your feelings about/for Israel?”
