Guilt is a very important factor in settling historical conflicts and in the healing process that proceeds them. For example Germany contributed significantly to the outbreak of World War I but the Germans never acknowledged their contribution to the madness of violence, and this lack of guilt feelings enabled Hitler to gain power. Had the Germans recognized their historical guilt World War II could have been avoided. A similar situation exists presently in the festering Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Historical guilt affecting the conscience of the individual and communities provides the insights necessary for accepting responsibility and modify the behavior. Historical feeling of guilt is helping in creating better societies.

Causes of the Holocaust.
A collusion of many factors, such as anti-Semitism, creation of the German totalitarian state, the explosive violence of WWII, the creation of the SS as Hitler's private army caused the Holocaust. Nevertheless, the most important factor was Hitler's Manicheistic, dualistic view of the world. The fate of the world, Hitler believed, depends on the fight between the lower and higher human races, the Aryans and the Jews. Hitler saw himself as redeemer of the world.

Could the Holocaust be averted?
Probably not, but it could be limited in scope and in the destructiveness. Let's remember that public protests in Germany stopped the euthanasia of German cripples and protests of German women stopped the "resettlement" of their Jewish spouses. Hitler depended on the support of the German people. The problem was that the only institutions that had the power to mount protests, were the Churches, and they remained silent.

Holocaust Rescue.
In the environment of total destruction rescue of victims was relatively easy. Oscar Schindler saved one thousand Jews, Wallenberg saved tens of thousands, so did Sugiharto. Most of the Jews to saved by courageous individuals, not by institutions or governmental agencies.

Glaring Failures.
The Holocaust is an indication of the failure of the Western civilization. The silence of the Churches is explained by the fact that the Churches are charismatic institutions that shape the society and in return cater to the beliefs of their followers. The Churches became victims of their own anti-Semitic preaching. This explains the silence.

The two Allied leaders that could have helped the Jews were Stalin and Roosevelt. Stalin was a paranoid mass murderer who did not care. Roosevelt was mild anti-Semite that was detached from the ongoing tragedy also did not care.

Conclusions.
The Holocaust is a Warning to Mankind. Without atonement there is no expiation, and without a feeling of guilt there is no atonement. To avoid Holocaust-type tragedies, we have to recognize our failures, guilt and shortcomings and recognize the vulnerability of modern man to demagoguery and irrationality of power hungry leaders like Milosevic, Saddam Hussein, Pot Pol, Mao, Stalin or Hitler.

kimel@systec.com