Comments on: In new memoir, Amos Oz’s daughter alleges lifetime of abuse by ‘sadistic’ father

By: Liat Kirby

Liat Kirby — Sat, 27 Feb 2021 06:16:20 +0000

Much of what you say is true, Stephanie. And I have no truck with the kind of men you speak of, nor do I believe in heroes. In my comments I was careful to separate Oz’s writing from the alleged abuse of Galia Oz, and I believe strongly that this is a necessary thing to do – the writing speaks for itself and must not be sullied with judgement of other issues. Neither you nor I,nor the world at large, can assume anything insofar as his guilt or otherwise is concerned.

I still maintain that it is better to speak out before a man dies rather than after. I acknowledge the courage it takes to do this, which is why so many women (and men who have been abused in their childhood, sexually or otherwise) take so long to voice what has happened to them.

Being human is a very complex thing indeed and all of us are made up of better and poorer qualities. We should not, therefore, strip away the good, or the proved talent, of a man or a woman because of bad behaviour. Each person must take the consequences of their actions, however, and be in a position hopefully to own them or deny them. Death disallows that.

It must be remembered, too, that women sometimes abuse emotionally and physically. I myself have been on the receiving end of that.

By: Stephanie Watson

Stephanie Watson — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 01:18:16 +0000

Amos Oz’s family have much to lose in acknowledging the abuse (there are many privileges living in his towering shadow) and Galia has much to lose and will likely experience even more abuse for speaking her truth. The world needs to stop dismissing and ignoring the truth about so-called “great” men. Whether it be politicians, military generals, brilliant artists or captains of industry, their paths to greatness is often littered with abused and damaged women, dismissed and discarded as they ascend to the top. It has taken too long for the undeniable damage so many have caused and I am inspired and impressed with the bravery of the women who are finally coming forward and speaking the truth about these men.

By: Lynne Newington

Lynne Newington — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 19:29:36 +0000

In reply to Liat Kirby. It IS something that would have been better aired before the death of Oz in 2018. For more reasonS than one.

By: Liat Kirby

Liat Kirby — Wed, 24 Feb 2021 09:19:07 +0000

That Galia Oz suffered physical and emotional violence by her father and/or mother throughout her life is not something anyone could or should argue with. It is indeed a most terrible thing for a parent to abuse their daughter. It is though perhaps something that would have been better aired before the death of Oz in 2018, for he can neither speak out, apologise, or seek redemption of any kind now.

We can judge him poorly for the alleged treatment of his daughter, however, it makes no difference to acknowledging his brilliance as a writer. We cannot, and should not, take that away from him.