The Universe of Hatred SIR,—I have been shocked and astonished
by Mr Richter's article, 'Universe of Hatred.' As one who had some experience of Nazi rule—including almost two years of Bergen-Belsen—I can, safely say that Mr Richter's outburst reminded me of various Nazi ravings, both in tone and in attitude. It was Nazi doctrine to assume national guilt, to assume that it pertains equally to all the individuals, and to visit upon the young the presumed sins of their elders. All this does Mr Richter. Also, his indecent gloating and rejoicing in the death of the young people killed at the Berlin Wall have reminded me very forcibly about very similar attitudes of Nazi sympathisers toward Jews.
As a matter of historical fact, extermination of nations is not new. The same holds about killing women and children in cold blood. Both are not Nazi inventions. Perhaps Mr Richter should open his Bible and meditate upon the fate of Canaanites and Amalekites. I specially recommend I Samuel xv, 3: 'and thou shall not pity them, and shall kill man and woman, baby and suckling.' ISRAEL SHAHAK
Department of Organic Chemistry B, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
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