Here’s what the next head of Yad Vashem said – and did

JVL Introduction

Effi Eitam has been appointed as chairman of Israel’s Holocaust Centre, Yad Vashem.

In a recent blog for the Times of Israel Rabbi Michael Melchior expressed his shock that an open supporter of ethnic cleansing could be appointed to this post.

He wrote: “It is no wonder the great Holocaust scholars and many survivors are shocked by what they call the appointment that will turn Yad Vashem ‘into a mockery and a disgrace’.”

But he only touched on Eitam’s record as commander of the Givati Brigade at the start of the first intifada.

Here Yagil Levy tells that shocking story as revealed in the Israeli trial and conviction of Eitam and others for their use of excessive violence.

Instead of that being a permanent stain, it seems now to be regarded as a badge of honour, making him exceptionally suitable to head the Holocaust centre.

This article was originally published by Haaretz on Mon 14 Dec 2020. Read the original here.