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The Rwandan genocide and Israeli politicsThe attitude of the state of Israel towards the genocide in Rwanda has to be examined in the context of Israel’s current attitude towards acts of genocide like those in Biafra, Tibet, Yugoslavia and now Darfur. Also has to be noted the attitude of Israel towards the International Criminal Court (ICC).Israel arose from the ashes of the Holocaust. The question is whether the Jewish State’s and the Jewish people’s empathy for other peoples who have been subjected, or are being subjected, to genocides or mass killings, is a substantial aspect of its own national identity and ethos. Should this empathy serve as a clear limit that we (Israeli Jews) impose upon ourselves in the conduct of our affairs in the world arena ? Might we expect of Israel a certain kind of response to genocide —to any genocide— whenever and wherever it might be perpetrated ?In the Israeli Parliament the issue was debated several times during 1994 while the genocide was taking place. In July 1994, the Israeli government sent a field hospital to Rwanda (particularly to Goma, Zaire) with 89 staff people (“The Blossoms of Hope Operation”). This operation was praised by all. It is estimated that about 3,000 Rwandan refugees were treated in the Israeli hospital and not few of them were saved. Apart from Israeli governmental relief, has to be mentioned the activity of Abie Nathan, an Israeli humanitarian and peace activist.A special and unique seminar was held in Yad Vashem in November 2005. A group of Tutsi survivals of the genocide in Rwanda participated in an 8 day seminar. There were hopes and even plains of continuation of the relations, including Israeli delegation to Rwanda, but unfortunately it did not take place.