Pictures
Click any thumbnail to view a larger scale image.
 | Deir Yassin as seen from Yad Vashem; the village lies in the green trees to the right of the water tower. |
The Village 50 Years Later
Windows on Deir Yassin
Scenes from inside the center of Deir Yassin, December 1996
 |
Daniel McGowan (Director) and Issam Nashashibi |
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Daniel McGowan, Archbishop Michel Sabbah, and Khairieh Abu Shusheh (Conference Coordinator) |
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Sahar Ghosheh (Conference Coordinator) |
A View From Yad Vashem

It is unfortunate that so few Palestinians visit Yad Vashem. Understandably, many argue that they were not involved in
the Holocaust and resent hearing again about Jews as victims of
Nazis when the whole world has so long failed to recognize
Palestinians as victims of Zionists. Many also believe that the
Holocaust was (mis)used as a justification or rationalization for
the creation of the state of Israel and for the conquest and
confiscation of their homes and villages. Nevertheless, it is
unfortunate because from Yad Vashem, looking north, is a
spectacular panoramic view of Deir Yassin. The Holocaust museum
is beautiful and the message "never to forget man's
inhumanity to man" is timeless. The children's museum is
particularly heart wrenching; in a dark room filled with candles
and mirrors the names of Jewish children who perished in the
Holocaust are read along with their places of birth. Even the
most callous person is brought to tears. Upon exiting this
portion of the museum a visitor is facing north and looking
directly at Deir Yassin. There are no markers, no plaques, no
memorials, and no mention from any tour guide. But for those who
know what they are looking at, the irony is breathtaking.