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Menachem's Writings
Photography for Propaganda
Here in Gush Etzion, as in many communities and groups around the world, there are a number of Internet chat-groups. There's one in Efrat which is in English. The readership seems to tend to the right side of the political spectrum, though most of the postings are not politically oriented. You see useul and practical stuff like, "I need to get to Ben-Gurion airport tomorrow for a 5:00 a.m. flight -- anyone driving there at that time?" or "my son lost an unmarked envelope with a big wad of cash in it -- anyone (other than the P.M.) seen it anywhere?" I'm often surprised how often people receive positive and helpful replies. This chat-group really provides a great and needed community service. But the politics definitely lean right of center. So I was a bit surprised at the following post and the fact that it did not engender any comment. Could it be that no-one bothered to follow the link? Old topic -- even here, in the other Gush? Friends, I don't particularly want to advertise this guy, but you may want to have a look at his photographs before I go on discussing this issue further. I know that some of you will say that I'm jealous (which I definitely am -- I would love to exhibit in New York -- or New anywhere else for that matter) but I really believe this guy's politics are despicable. You can view the exhibition photographs online. As no-one else did, I fired off a letter back to the list: I had a look at nephew's photographs. I'm expecting some response to this from the list. (I will post anything interesting.) The aunt, who definitely thinks in right-wing terms, will probably be defensive (is blood thicker than politics?) I think anyone who was ever in the Gush [Katif], especially towards the end, will be sympathetic to my point of view. [As I am penning these words (now that's an anachronism), the aunt dropped us a line. She is sending my note to the photographer for his comments. That's good. Should be interesting, but we won't be able to post his response until after shabbath, so tune in then.] It's no secret that I extensively photographed in the Gush and at background events leading up to the Expulsion. I held an exhibition and book launch in the Gush Etzion Judaica Center. It was very well attended (over 400 people out here in the sticks -- you can view comments from the visitors' book). I'm sure there must be someone in New York who is interested in an exhibition countering the left-wing, government propaganda in nephew's exhibition. By having access to photograph in the Ze'elim army camp, he virtually gives away that he was "returned" to Israel for the purpose of propaganda. However here in Israel, nothing is certain. He may have an "old friend" who is an officer at that army base and arranged for his entry. After writing most of this blog entry, I looked properly at the gallery's website and noticed the following (bolds are my additions and so are the comments in square brackets) -- I know, I should have looked earlier -- but you're all getting to know me from these postings. While the army and the police forces trained and prepared mentally for the coming events, and Palestinian workers were dismantling agricultural greenhouses for Israeli farmers living [living? -- they were just thrown out!] on the Strip, settlements in Morag, Bdolach, Neve Dkalim and Rafiah Yam consisted of abandoned houses [living?]. He visited Palestinian villages nearby and talked to their residents. They were looking forward to returning to their homes and beaches after years of restrictions. [The houses that were on the beach were actually built by the Egyptian army as s holiday houses for their officers. The Mawasi settlers never lived in these houses -- it's a total untruth! a fabrication.] We sent that extract to auntie. She replied the following (my comments are in maroon): I just wrote to him directly about that. So let's ask the theater to sell my book. At least there will be some evenhandedness.
Menachem Kuchar, 26th April, 2009 Previous posts:
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