To the
Central Boards of the
Jewish Communities of Europe
E.J.C.
W.J.C.
Bnei Berit International
Executive Council
of Australian Jewry
American Jewish Committee
Sirs,
as you cetrainly know after the division of the former Democracy of Yugoslavia to a series of independent small states it has been created the question of the naming of the State of Scopia that is asking to be recognized under the name of Macedonia
Greece does not object to the recognition of this State, that it wants to help materially in every way, but it cannot accept the name Macedonia which since antiquity is related to a plainly Greek region.
Jewish religion and philology consitute the unquestionable witnesses of the ancient ethnoloigical character of Macedonians as Greeks.
Noticeably the prophers Daniel (chap.8, 1-22 chap.2 para.39 4-13, 26-28,
31, 38 chap. 7, 2-7) Isiaiah chap. 19, 20 chap. 19,23 Joel chap.3 v.6,
Jeremy, Habacoum chap.2, v.5
and the books of the Maccabees (1st book chap. 1, v.1 & 10 chap. 6 v.2, II
8, 20 III 8)
include explicit elements for the greek character of Macedonia.
These very same notions have been supported by the contemporary professors Yigal Yadin (archaiologist, Jerusalem University), George Box (professor of Old Testament, London University), Yacov Messorer (numismatist of the Jerusalem Museum), Erich Graetz (historian Breslow University)
Besides these the Talmoud in relating the friendly meeting between
Alexander the Great and the High Priest Simon the Just, on the former's
entry into Jerusalem in teh year 330 BC., refers to him as Alexander
HaMocdon Meleh Yavan - Alexander the Macedonian, King of Greece.
Similar references can be found in Talmoud in teh books "Seder Hadorot" as
well as "Megilat Taanit".
Moreover Jewish historians like
In conclusion we mark Henry's Kissinger characteristic statement at the Management of Europe meeting (Paris, June 1992) "I believe that Greece is right to have objections and I agree with Athens. the reason is that I know history, which is not the case most of the others, including most of the Governement and governement officials in Washington. The strength of the side of Greece is its history".
We lined up all the above data so as to prove you the legitimacy of the Greek aspects as far as it concerns the Greek character of Macedonia and to ask you the full support of these greek postitions to the appropriate personalities of your country.
Sincerely yours
The President --- The Gen. Secretary
[Signatures]
Nissim Mais --- Moses Constintinis