Month: November 2021

South African Government Boycotts Miss South Africa

The South African Ministry of Culture boycott the country’s representative to Miss Universe pageant because host country is Israel

By Rolene Marks

The stage is set, the sequins extra shiny, the sashes ironed and the tiara polished – Eilat is getting ready to host the Miss Universe 2021 pageant to be held on the December 12 and are looking forward to welcoming representatives from around the world to compete for the coveted title. For the first time, there will be representatives from the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. This is historic and fitting with the flourishing peace afforded by the signing of the Abraham Accords normalization and peace treaties. The symbolism of the two beauty queens competing for the first time on the international stage in Israel is highly symbolic of the seeds of peace bearing real fruits.

The Way Forward. Israel’s premier coastal resort, Eilat on the Red Sea, which will host the 2021 Miss Universe pageant is sandwiched between Egypt and Jordan, both countries which the Jewish state is at peace  with – a shining example to South Africa of the way forward.

While talking about beauty pageants is not my normal beat (having failed to place anywhere in Junior Miss Pears at the age of four, much to my mother’s chagrin), I find myself for the second time in a matter of weeks commenting on the Miss Universe pageant. Several weeks ago, Lay of the Land published an article explaining how Chief Mandla Mandela was calling for not just Miss South Africa; but other countries to boycott the Miss Universe pageant because it is being held in Israel.

Beauties and the Boycott: https://layoftheland.online/2021/10/31/beauties-and-the-boycott/

With peacemaking clearly skipping Mandla in the Mandela gene pool, the former poster child for scandal, now turned BDS front man is going full throttle on his campaign and has roped in his cohorts-in-hate from the BDS movement to pressurize the new Miss South Africa, Lalela Mswane to pull out. The beautiful and accomplished Miss South Africa, graduated with a degree in law and deserves every opportunity to not only achieve her dream but also the chance to proudly represent South Africa on the world stage, make lifelong friends and draw focus on the humanitarian causes that she champions.

With the pressure from hate groups like BDS mounting, the Miss South Africa on behalf of Lalela, released a statement that stated not only would she compete but Mswane has spoken out openly about being bullied as a child and she will not be bullied as an adult against fulfilling her ambition.

Dashed Hopes. The crowning of an excited Miss SA 2021 Lalela Mswane whose dreams of competing at the 70th Miss Universe pageant in Israel were subsequently crushed by the misguided bullying of her own government.

Miss SA CEO, Stephanie Weil said a “very, very small, but extremely vocal, group” had attempted, and failed, to derail Mswane’s chances at the prestigious international pageant.

Bullying is what BDS do best and artists like Sir Elton John, Sir Paul McCartney and many others can attest to that – including having the lives of themselves and their bands threatened by BDS activists.

Joining the BDS is the African National Congress (ANC) and this is an excerpt from their statement they released:

“Following unsuccessful consultations initiated by the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, it has proven difficult to persuade the Miss SA pageant organisers to reconsider their decision to partake in the Miss Universe event scheduled to be held in Israel during the month of December 2021. What during initial consultations appeared like engaging, constructive and progressive discussions, was later met with an unpleasant demeanour that is intransigent and lacking appreciation of the potential negative impact of such a decision on the reputation and future of a young black woman.

 The atrocities committed by Israel against Palestinians are well documented, and Government, as the legitimate representative of the people of South Africa, cannot in good conscience associate itself with such. In an attempt to demonstrate what partaking in Miss Universe means for South Africans and many others across the world, the Miss SA pageant organisers were referred to Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu’s views following his visit to the area. Indicating that Israel was guilty of the apartheid treatment of Palestinians, he said, “Their humiliation is familiar to all black South Africans who were corralled and harassed and insulted and assaulted by the security forces of the apartheid government.”

The South African Zionist Federation  (SAZF) as well as the South African Jewish Board of Deputies (SAJBD) have taken a strong position in support of Mswana.

The SAJBD said in a statement:

 “It is quite clear that Minister Mthethwa’s view is a minority one.  A poll conducted by Newzroom Afrika on Thursday night as to whether Miss SA should withdraw from the Miss Universe event in Israel showed a plurality of nearly 2:1 in favour of her competing. The PSA protest attracted a bare handful of activists.  This is despite the barrage of intimidation by groups such as Africa4Palestine and SA BDS in the media have resulted in comments calling for them to stop bullying Lalela and for her to participate in the event.

South Africa has diplomatic ties and extensive commercial trade relations with Israel.  It engages in events such as this one, such as hosting the Israeli Davis Cup team in 2018. The way we influence situations is to engage, not to withdraw.  The SAJBD believes that closing doors merely isolates us from contributing and any contribution we can make to finding peace in this country.  What better opportunity for a South African to be part of an event where she can connect with 70 countries around the world, including many Arab countries, in sharing our story of dialogue and peace-building?”

The SAZF added to that saying:

 “The SAZF is appalled that the South African government is self-sabotaging our country’s hopes and chances of participating and shining in an international event just because it happens to take place in Israel. Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa may think that South Africa is making a grand moral statement because the ruling party has been misled by a perversion of facts about Israel, the Middle East’s only democracy, but in fact, our country is simply signalling its isolationism and irrelevance on the world stage. The government has been silent on actual and serious human rights abuses occurring in many other countries where we participate in sports and contests, but self-righteously reserves its opprobrium for the world’s only Jewish State.”

Perhaps South Africa is doing this to draw focus away from the myriad of problems plaguing the country. Extremely high levels of unemployment, government corruption, rolling electricity blackouts and many more issues are confronted by South Africans on a daily basis. Surely this is more important than sash-and-tiara wielding beauty queens? The ANC and BDS would have you believe that it is all about human rights but they remain resolutely silent on the genocide of the Uyghurs in China, the hanging of members of the LGBTQ community in Iran or the decimation of women’s rights in Afghanistan. Nothing like cosying up to some tin pot dictators to bring out the hypocrite in some folk!

It is interesting that another man has weighed on the Miss Universe pageant and the opportunity it brings to showcase young empowered, humanitarian driven women. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a strong advocate for BDS last visited Israel in 1989 and at Yad Vashem called on Jews around the world to “forgive the Nazis”.

I wonder if “The Arch” would pull this same stunt if the pageant was to be held in Venezuela, Cuba, China or any other country responsible for gross human rights violations? Probably not but this just exposes the hypocrisy and yes, antisemitism of BDS and its supporters.

It is a pity that the Miss Universe pageant which is non-political in nature but serves as a chance for women from different cultures and countries to build bridges has become the cause that  the ANC who fought so hard for equal rights for all, now chooses to boycott its country’s women.





While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

Shades of Shylock

Attack on Israel’s Ambassador at London university exposes imbedded British antisemitism

Written by Lay of the Land UK correspondent

It says something about the UK today, that the Israeli Ambassador to the Court of St. James  cannot speak freely at one of the country’s most prestigious universities without coming under physical attack.

Trying to “tell Israel’s story” on the 9th November 2001 at the London School of Economic (LSE),  Tzipi Hotovely had to literally be “evacuated” by her security detail who were forced to defend her from students who assaulted her verbally at a speaking engagement.

In case there was any doubt the protestors were serious in their nefarious intent to intimidate, an Instagram account called “LSE Class War” posted ahead of the event with Hotovely the following:

“Whoever smashes the Ambassador [sic] car window… gets pints. Let’s f***in frighten her.”

As it turned out, while the security guards were leading Ambassador Hotovely past the protesters, a man rushed at her and they had  to hurriedly push her into her car.

So, while freedom of speech is a fundamental right under UK law, it would appear not always the case when it comes to Jews!

Antisemitic violence has a history of periodically pouring out onto British streets from the Blackshirts (British fascists) in the Battle of Cable Street on October 4, 1936 to the cavalcade of cars on the 19 May 2021 where pro-Palestinian demonstrators were heard screaming antisemitic abuse such as “F*** their mothers, rape their daughters”, while driving through Jewish areas of north London.

Antisemitic Intimidation. Israeli Ambassador  to the UK, Tzipi Hotovely was subjected, in the words of Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi to “unacceptable intimidation. This is not disagreement or free speech – it is harassment and it will have deeply shaken Jewish students both at LSE and across the country”.

Hotovely is hardly the first Israeli diplomat to the UK who antisemites have tried to silence.

On June 3, 1982, Israel’s then Ambassador to the UK, Shlomo Argov was getting into his car after a banquet at the Dorchester hotel in Park lane when three gunmen from the Abu Nidal group appeared from nowhere and one of them, Hussein Ghassan Said, fired a single bullet straight through his head. The Ambassador fell into a three-month coma but somehow survived. He however was paralysed and required constant medical attention for the rest of his life.

Even during periods of intense peace-making, such  as on the 26 July 1994, one day after King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzchak Rabin met in Washington D.C. to discuss a Jordan-Israel peace treaty, a car bomb went off outside the London Israeli Embassy injuring 20 civilians. A second bomb exploded outside another Jewish institution, Balfour House, premises occupied by the UJIA in Finchley.  

The history of violence against high-profile Jews in the UK reveals its intent to harass them into silence.  Hotovely however would have none of it. “I had a great time at LSE and I will not be intimidated,” the Ambassador said on Twitter, saying she “would continue to share Israeli history and have an open dialogue with all parties of British society.”

Calm before the Storm. Ambassador Hotovely speaking at the LSE event before protesters surrounded her car. (photo: Israeli Embassy)

Nevertheless, the attack on Ambassador Hotovely, is an ominous message to British Jews, who are already beleaguered by antisemitism that took root to the highest echelons within the Labour Party, the reappearance of antisemitic violence on London’s streets and social-activism morphing against Jews. The result is that the Jewish community is feeling increasingly and deeply isolated, emphatically affirmed after Labour was found guilty of discriminating against British Jews by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

If social-activism continues to radicalise and manifest in violence against Jews, it could herald a damning situation for British-Jews, with about half of whom had revealed they were prepared to leave Britain if Jeremy Corbyn became Prime Minster in 2019.

Earlier this month,  the curtain  was literally  raised at the Royal Court Theatre exposing a cultural –  if albeit  – “unconscious bias”, when the main character – a power-hungry Silicon Valley billionaire – in the play, ‘Rare Earth Mettle’ by Al Smith had a Jewish surname, even though there was no Jewish context in the production. Following accusations from members of the Jewish community of promoting a negative Jewish stereotype., the Royal Court Theatre apologised and changed the script. Apparently, it was never realised that “Hershel Fink” was a Jewish name!

Chaos on Campus. Barricaded by student mob, Israeli envoy, Tzipy Hotovely, remains defiant.

There is something about the British love affair for the antisemitic stereotype of Shylock, of the ‘bad Jew, made acceptable’ – the one who can be told where to talk, how to speak and when to be heard. British Jews and Israelis can plead for their humanity just like in Shakespeare’s Shylock character in ‘The Merchant of Venice’, but to antisemites, Jews need to be demonised and then reformed. The repeated attempts to demonise Jews as money-grabbing, murderous, genocidal and world-domineering are common tropes and antisemites will always persist in trying to silence Jews.

Stirring Hatred. Imitating the Nazis, British politician Sir Oswald Mosley inspects members of his British Union of Fascists in Royal Mint Street, London sparking the riot known as the Battle of Cable Street. (PhotoCentral Press/Getty Images)

This threat to British Jews and British Israelis to silence their voices, should be a warning call to the threats to free-speech and political freedom. The British Government must intervene and mandate all universities and organisations to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and use effective sanctions against antisemites. Once the venomous hate against Israel can be exposed for what it really is – antisemitism – it will impact on reducing the spiralling antisemitism imbedded within British society – but only if the British Government acts.

Savagery on London Street. A convoy of cars filmed on London’s Finchley Road, with passengers yelling antisemitic obscenities abuse such as “F*** their mothers, rape their daughters”, on May 16, 2021. (Screenshot)

In conclusion, whether you agree or disagree with the Israeli Ambassador Hotovely’s views, her message  was exemplary when she said:

“The State of Israel will send its representatives to every platform. We will not give in to bullying and violence.”








While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

Lay of the Land Weekly Newsletter- 14 November 2021

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

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Articles

(1)

Broken Glass, Shattered Lives

Commemorating the shrill sounds 83 years ago that heralded the destruction of European Jewry

By David E. Kaplan

Menacing Message. On Kristallnacht, the world ignored Jewish suffering and sent a message – you are alone.

The road to Auschwitz did not begin with the laying of train tracks  – there were  periodic warnings; mostly unheeded. The final and clearest warning occurred on the 9-10 November 1938 – but by then it was mostly too late. The first lesson of Kristallnacht is to take the warning signs of antisemitism seriously – Israel does!

Broken Glass, Shattered Lives
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(2)

Blue & White….and Green!

How the Innovation Nation pivots to focus on the fight against Climate Change

By Rolene Marks

Saving Our Planet. PM Bennett offers Israeli technology towards solutions in his address at COP26 in Glasgow.

Israel presented at the  2021 UN Climate Change Conference not only its dreams but the will to fulfill them. Poised to lead in finding sustainable solutions to Climate Change,  there are presently in Israel 637 start-ups and growth companies developing climate technologies.

Blue & White….and Green!

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(3)

A Close Shave

The Corbyn crisis that was, remains a warning to world Jewry

Written by Lay of the Land UK correspondent

Sounding Alarm. A panic appeal preceding the 2019 UK election that had Jews ready with bags packed.

Corbyn’s reshaping of the Labour Party energised latent antisemitism and came close to driving Jews from the UK. While disaster was averted by the British voter, the fight against Labour’s antisemitism, left deep scars and a warning to similar dangers globally.

A Close Shave

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LOTL Cofounders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

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While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

The Israel Brief- 08-11 November 2021

The Israel Brief – 08 November 2021 – Israel open for tour groups! Terror attacks foiled in Africa! United message regarding Consulate. UAV intercepted by Iron Dome. Colombia open their first innovation centre in Jerusalem.



The Israel Brief – 09 November 2021 – Biggest gun bust in Israeli history. Hamas sentence 2 to death for collaborating with Israel. Save a Child’s Heart gesture to Congo. Remembering Kristallnacht.



The Israel Brief – 10 November 2021 – Israeli Ambassador to UK evacuated from event. US abstains from UN Resolution for Palestinian refugees. US working on unity go for Palestinians? Miss South Africa will compete in Miss Universe, due to be hosted by Israel.



The Israel Brief – 11 November 2021 – NY Gov slams anti-Israel party members. Former SA President, De Klerk dies. Murders of Holocaust survivor sentenced. Lest We Forget.






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

Broken Glass, Shattered Lives

Commemorating the shrill sounds 83 years ago that heralded the destruction of European Jewry

By David E. Kaplan

“After this, the future is grim; we have nowhere to go; nobody wants us.”

These were the chilling words expressed over the phone by  Germany’s leading Rabbi of the 1930s, Dr. Leo Baeck,  to New York Times Berlin Bureau correspondent, C. Brooks Peters.

A powerful eyewitness dispatch from New York Times correspondent C. Brooks Peters, who gives his first-person account of the horrific events that took place on Kristallnacht
https://vimeo.com/476452194/6ea3403105

It was 9.30am on November 10th, 1938 when Peters was broadcasting live, having just spent nearly “nine horrendous hours” following Nazi stormtroopers. Looking upon an iconic monumental synagogue ablaze, the correspondent so overcome by what he was witnessing predicted “it probably will turn out to be the worst pogrom in Western history.”

How right he was!

Historians view Kristallnacht (9 & 10 November 1938), as a prelude to the Final Solution and the murder of over six million Jews.

If ever there was any false hope that Jews had a future in Europe, that hope was ‘shattered’ on the night of November 9, 1938 to the sounds of breaking glass shattering the air in cities throughout Germany against a flaming backdrop of synagogues and Jewish institutions going up in smoke.

Street Savagery. Germans pass by the broken shop window of a Jewish-owned business that was destroyed during Kristallnacht. (US Holocaust Memorial Museum, courtesy of National Archives and Records Administration, College Park)

It was the prelude to the Jews of Europe going ‘up in smoke’!

By the end of the rampage, gangs of Nazi storm troopers  – aided and abetted by civilians only too eager to join in the carnage – had destroyed 7,000 Jewish businesses, set fire to more than 900 synagogues, killed 91 Jews and deported some 30,000 Jewish men to concentration camps. Nazis and their multitude of willing collaborators, transformed a European landscape rich in culture into one devoid of “culture”. How else could one make sense of European or Western culture when reading an eyewitness report of a U.S official in Leipzig to the State Department describing the atrocities:

 “Having demolished dwellings and hurled most of the moveable effects to the streets, the insatiably sadistic perpetrators threw many of the trembling inmates into a small stream that flows through the zoological park, commanding horrified spectators to spit at them, defile them with mud and jeer at their plight.”

In the wake of the death and destruction, Reich Minister of Propaganda  Joseph Goebbels announced:

 “We shed not a tear for them [the Jews.]”

Descent of a Nation. These were not uniformed Nazis but youths attacking Jewish shops on Kristallnacht. The savage Nazi philosophy has gripped the German nation.

He went on to comment on the destruction of synagogues saying, “They stood in the way long enough. We can use the space made free more usefully than as Jewish fortresses.”

Kristallnacht provided the Nazis with an opportunity to advance their War on the Jews already well on the way. The assassination two days earlier of a German diplomat by a 17-year-old German-born Polish Jew was simply a pretext to unleash the pogrom that would culminate in the Shoah. The history of the Jews over the past 2000 years, reveals no shortage of PRETEXT followed by POGROM!

Targeting Jews. A destroyed Jewish shoe store looted and destroyed in Vienna on November 10, 1938 (Foto: Wiener Library/DöW F. Nr. 6392)

Taking its name from the shards of broken glass that littered the streets after the smashed windows of Jewish-owned stores, buildings and synagogues, “Kristallnacht” (literally “Crystal Night”)  triggered a barrage – salvo after salvo of regulations and policies aimed mostly at Jews. On November 15th, only 5 days after Kristallnacht, Jewish children were barred from attending school. Within the week, the Nazis had circulated a letter declaring that Jewish businesses could not be reopened unless they were to be managed by non-Jews and shortly afterwards, the Nazis issued the “Decree on Eliminating the Jews from German Economic Life”, which prohibited Jews from selling goods or services anywhere, from engaging in crafts work, from serving as the managers of any firms, and from being members of cooperatives. In addition, the Nazis determined that the Jews should be liable for the damages caused during Kristallnacht. In other words, Jews were responsible for Kristallnacht and hence must pay for it!

Sweep Away. A young man with a broom prepares to clear up the broken window glass from a Jewish shop in Berlin, the day after the “Kristallnacht” rampage. (AP Photo/File)

Reporting on the events of Kristallnacht, the following account by Otto D. Tolischus also of the New York Times was revealing:

“A wave of destruction, looting and incendiaries [fires] unparalleled in Germany since the Thirty Years War …..

Beginning systematically in the early morning hours in almost every town and city in the country, the wrecking, looting and burning continued all day. Huge but mostly silent crowds looked on and the police confined themselves to regulating traffic and making wholesale arrests of Jews “for their own protection.”

All day the main shopping districts as well as the side streets of Berlin and innumerable other places resounded to the shattering of shop windows falling to the pavement, the dull thuds of furniture and burning shops and synagogues. Although shop fires were quickly extinguished, synagogue fires were merely kept from spreading to adjoining buildings.”

Front Page Carnage.  Despite large headlines appearing on the front pages of major newspapers concerning the attacks on Jews in Germany known as Kristallnacht, the world mostly ignored and turned their backs on the plight of the Jews.

And how did the world react?

While there was outrage in newspapers around the world,  this did not translate into action. Diplomats failed to send concrete demands or proposals for action to their home governments. “They were waiting and deceptively hoping that they could somehow come to terms with the Nazi regime,” said Hermann Simon who was the director of the Centrum Judaicum for 27 years up until 2015. Simon collected reports written by diplomats from 20 countries who were stationed in Germany in 1938.

To No Avail. Tapping into deep soulful American history of the “Mayflower”, cartoonist Cecil Jensen in the Chicago Daily News for November 23, 1938, pleads for world leaders, following Kristallnacht, to help Europe’s
Jews.

Despite the reports describing the events as “Cultural barbarism”,  “the response to the reports,” says Simon, “was relatively low.” Typical of this position was when Britain’s Parliament asked Neville Chamberlain to condemn the pogrom. The Prime Minister simply said that newspaper reports were “substantially correct”, adding “deep and widespread sympathy” for those who were “to suffer so severely” for the “senseless crime committed in Paris”, thus buying into the Nazi pretext rather than their policy.

The world’s lame reaction was hardly a surprise as Kristallnacht followed only by a few months after the Évian Conference convened 6–15 July 1938 at Évian-les-Bains, France, to address the problem of German and Austrian Jewish refugees wishing to flee Nazi persecution. Almost all of the 32 countries represented at the Conference agreed that there was a growing German Jewish refugee problem, and expressed sympathy for those persecuted.

However, few offered to extend their quotas or contribute to a practical solution!

In the end, almost no real action resulted from the conference.

The Evian Conference clarified ‘CRYSTAL” clear for the Nazis that although countries may not have approved of their persecution of the Jews, they would not actively take any steps against them, or go out of their way to help the Jews.

Public Humiliation to Mass Murder. Jewish women in Linz, Austria are exhibited in public with a cardboard sign stating ‘I have been excluded from the national community (Volksgemeinschaft)’, during the anti-Jewish pogrom known as Kristallnacht, November 1938. (Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images)
 

The message in July was clear – the Nazis had a free hand to do what it wanted with its Jews.

The result in November was inevitable – Kristallnacht.

With global complicity, the pieces were positioning towards the “Final Solution”.

Thankfully today there is a haven for Jews – an  Israel that heeds warnings and responds. In sharp contrast to the sound of broken glass heard over two days in November 1938 heralding the slaughter to follow, the sound of breaking of glass in Israel today, marks instead the culmination of wedding ceremonies when bridegrooms steps on a glass inside a cloth bag to shatter it.

The result – the Jewish population of Israel is souring nearing seven million.

If the shrill sound of breaking glass once signaled the demise of Jewry, today it joyously presages its flourishing life!






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

Blue & White….and Green!

How the Innovation Nation pivots to focus on the fight against Climate Change

By Rolene Marks

Scotland is a country of exquisite beauty, fascinating history and is home to one of my favourite things, good whisky. Over the last few weeks, Scotland has played host to a slew of world leaders, climate activists, Royals, NGO’s, media and innovators as they descended on the picturesque city of Glasgow for the United Nations COP26 conference to discuss ways to tackle the threat of climate change. Israel took a 140 strong delegation with a massive press presence. Unlike some folk who flew in by private jet (sigh), an El Al commercial plane was chartered. Kosher haggis anyone?

Leading the Israeli delegation was Prime Minister, Naftali Bennett. This would not only be an opportunity for the PM to strut our green innovation credentials on the world stage; but also would provide an opportunity for us to see if he could step up to Statesmanship, a challenge issued by Her Majesty, the Queen, in her televised address to world leaders.

And Bennett did exactly that.

Rubbing shoulders with world leaders, Royalty and captains of industry, the message delivered from the Israeli leaders was that the start-up nation didn’t come to play – we came to slay!

This was also an opportunity for PM Bennett to tell the world all about the groundbreaking technology and chutzpah that has earned Israel the reputation of the start-up or innovation nation.

Marrying both his career as a politician and tech company owner, raising capital and awareness seems to be a natural fit. The Prime Minister addressed the plenary to speak about how Israel is poised to become a major player in the fights against climate change using our brain power and boundless energy:

Change of Climate. PM Naftali Bennett addresses the UN Climate Conference in Glasgow with Israel’s message to the world: Don’t panic – we made the desert bloom.

While Israel is relatively late to the climate fight in some ways, in other ways we have been leading for decades. As countries signed the pledge to increase deforestation at COP26, it must be noted that Israel has been planting trees since the inception of the modern state, turning our deserts into flourishing forests. It is roughly estimated that 250 000 000 trees have been planted in this tiny country!

This may even result in a rare sighting of the lesser spotted HAPPY Greta Thunberg! Yes, the scowling-leader-berating teenage climate activist may even crack a smile at this news!

Act Now. Named the “People’s Advocate” of the UN Climate Change Conference or COP26, Sir Richard Attenborough has been using every opportunity to speak out about the climate crisis and implore world leaders to listen to citizens’ calls to act.

International treasure, Sir David Attenborough, he of the dulcet tones and astounding knowledge about the world’s fauna and flora, has called for solutions to many of the challenges facing us today. The nonagenarian has spoken about water as the most valuable resource for sustaining life on earth. It was extremely gratifying to hear Prime Minister Bennett tell the world that Israel is the leading country when it comes to waste water recycling. Living in a desert climate where water is our most valuable commodity, we have learnt to parlay our concerns – and chutzpah – into finding workable solutions.

Meeting Royalty. Prime Minister Bennett chats to HRH, The Duchess of Cambridge about engaging the youth on climate change. (Image GPO)

Workable solutions is what Israel does best! During his COP26 speech, Bennett spoke about Israel’s creation of a “Green Sandbox”, a plan that will attract investment into green technology. The government has also allocated NIS15.5billion towards combatting climate change and President Herzog has set up a fund under his patronage with over 130 innovators, thinkers and NGO’s committed to this as well.

Even Bill Gates sat up and took notice! The Microsoft-founder and philanthropist, acknowledged Israel’s reputation as a leader in innovation and announced his foundation would be working with the Jewish state to find solutions to the challenges we face.

Meeting of Minds. “We can solve climate change if we accelerate innovation,” says Bill Gates (left) meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on the sidelines of the COP26 UN climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland on November 2, 2021. (Haim Tzach / GPOBill )

This is not just about dealing with change to the climate, but also how this impacts on our regional security. It is believed that the Middle East is one of those areas greatly impacted by the climate crisis. As if we didn’t have enough to worry about!

But it is not all doom and gloom – in fact Israel stands poised to lead in finding sustainable solutions. To date, there are 637 start-ups and growth companies developing climate technologies, and the five challenge areas are:

Climate Smart Agriculture, Clean Energy Systems, Sustainable Mobility & Transport, Eco-Efficient Water Infrastructure, and Alternative Proteins. Most of these innovative companies are young, up to seven years old, with roughly 10 employees.

The Greening of Israel. The Jewish state is one of the only nations in the world that entered the 21st century with more trees than it had 100 years ago. Since its inception, Israel has been devoted to sustainable forest management and afforestation, planting trees mostly in areas with arid and semi-arid climates.

More than 560 private investment entities have invested in Israeli climate companies, mostly venture capital funds, out of which two-thirds are foreign investment entities – and this number is expected to grow.

The next UN Climate Conference, COP27 will be held in Egypt in 2022. This is right on our doorstep! With ties between our two countries starting to significantly warm up, you can bet that Israel will have a significant presence there.

Israel on Board. Ahead of the COP26 Climate Conference bringing over 75 countries to pledge to Paris Agreement goals, Israel announced that it will seek to reduce its carbon emissions by 2050 in order to combat the global climate crisis.

Israel is ready to plant her flag firmly in the fight to meet the challenges posed by climate change

Our flag is there waving in the wind-turbined air – proudly blue, white ……..and green!






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

A Close Shave

The Corbyn crisis that was, remains a warning to world Jewry

Written by Lay of the Land UK correspondent

In less than 5 years (2015-2020), Jeremy Corbyn, the former Labour Party leader had come close to driving Jews from the UK. Corbyn’s remoulding of the Labour Party energised antisemitism, that echoed the attempted march of the Black-Shirts (British-Nazis) through Jewish area of London (The Battle of Cable Street, 1936). Labour would later be found guilty of illegally harassing British-Jews by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) more specifically, “serious failings in the Labour party leadership in addressing antisemitism and an inadequate process for handling antisemitism complaints”. While disaster for Jews was averted, the fight against Labour’s antisemitism, left deep scars among British Jews.

Frightening Future. Corbyn’s vision of “shaping of the future” had  Jews ready to pack their bags and leave the UK.

So who was this unsettling menace to British Jewry who could so easily have been Britain’s Prime Minister?

Known for his antisemitic extremism since his introduction into political life, Phillip Kleinman, in his 1982 ‘Tearing the heart from a Labour man’ reveals Corbyn proudly asserted his support for the destruction of Israel. When it comes to the perception of Jews, the aspiring British PM could  just as easily have shared the proverbial stage with the likes of the National Front. As Corbyn over time gained in popularity among the far-left, he was also gaining attention for his wide-ranging support for terror groups.

Corbyn had no problem describing Hamas and Hezbollah as his “friends” during a Parliamentary meeting in 2009 and was later described by former British Prime Minster David Cameron in 2015 as “security-threatening, terrorist-sympathising and Britain-hating.”

Corbyn championed for the release of two Palestinian terrorists who in 1994, had carried out car bombings  against the London Israeli Embassy and the United Jewish Appeal Charity  in Finchley. The terrorists were linked to the terror-group Hezbollah and had injured 20 in the attack. Corbyn would not only support their cases for appeal but raise their appeals during debates in the British Parliament. He frequently denounced Zionism  – the belief in the right of Israel to exist – over his political career.

Corbyn caused a stir when it was revealed that he had in a 2013  speech – caught on video – claiming that Zionists in Britain “don’t understand English irony”.  

He appeared to be portraying Jews as an alien culture.

Following Jeremy Corbyn emerging as Leader of the Labour Party in 2015, the antisemitism within the Labour Party that had been largely confined to the fringes, suddenly came to the fore. The militant political organisation ‘Momentum’, founded to campaign for Corbyn to become Labour Leader, would become one of the most successful organisations within British Politics. It could rally and deploy thousands of activists at great speed, sending activists to campaign in marginal political areas.

Mounting Momentum. ‘Momentum’ activists and a group called Labour Against The Witchhunt protested outside the hearing, leading to complaints of an “intimidating” atmosphere. One Labour activist said the antisemitism row was “largely fabricated”

A catastrophe had befallen British-Jewry with the question being asked:

“Was the political-battle for Labour lost?”

Love’s Labour’s Lost

With Labour under Corbyn, Jewish activists within the party, soon began to experience antisemitism. They would be manoeuvred out of the party as they came under repeated threats and attacks. The situation worsened with the approach of the 2017 national election, causing concern bordering on panic among British Jewry with repeated condemnation from Jewish leaders.

This was exacerbated when the 2017 General Election resulted in a hung Parliament, with no party winning an overall majority but Labour gaining seats. Panic in British-Jewry turned into deep fear of a serious existential threat.

Labour would experience a significant further radicalism and militancy, as Jews within the party  received death threats. Luciana Berger, a Jewish Labour MP, would receive threats against her life and would have to attend the 2018 Labour Party Conference with police protection!

Online Abuse. Amid the ongoing row over antisemitism in Britain’s Labour Party, Jewish British Labour MP, Luciana Berger, made  public the insults sent to her via Twitter, including images of lawmaker with enlarged nose and threats of rape and murder.

Apart from Luciana Berger, Jewish politicians that came under most of the intense harassment were prominent female Jewish politicians such as Ruth Smeeth, Margaret Hodge, and Louise Ellman. As Jews were forced to leave the Labour Party under threats and harassment, walkouts and condemnation began from Jewish allies.

Under Escort. For reasons of security, Jewish MP Ruth Smeeth (second left) had to be escorted by her Labour colleagues to Marc Wadsworth’s antisemitism hearing.

Fear sets In

When the 2019 election was called in October 2019 for the 12th of December, a deep sense of foreboding was felt within British Jewry. In September 2019,polling showed that 47% of Jews were seriously considering leaving the UK, if Jeremy Corbyn became Prime Minster. High-profile Jewish personalities spoke of fleeing the UK, such as celebrity doctor, Dr. Ellie Cannon on social media.

Leaving Labour. Quitting the Labour Party (which she rejoined under the new leadership), Louise Ellman cited antisemitism saying she could not “advocate voting Labour when it risks Corbyn becoming PM”.

The Jewish Chronicle on the 8th of November 2019, published an appeal on its front page not addressed to its usual readership of Jews but “To all our fellow British citizens” to vote against Labour’s antisemitism.

Front Page Fear. The Jewish Chronicle on the 8th of November 2019, published an appeal on its front page addressed to ALL British citizens  to vote against Labour’s antisemitism.

On the 8th of December 2019, a rally in Parliament Square against Labour antisemitism led by British-Jewish actress Tracy-Ann Oberman, produced an unexpected result. Among the speakers was Satish Sharma, of the National Council of Hindu Temples, who condemned Labour’s antisemitism. Only 12 days earlier, the Hindu Council of Britain had quietly condemned antisemitism and Hindu-phobia within Labour.

The British-Hindu community broke the political boycott imposed on British Jews to stand in solidarity against Labour’s antisemitism. Described as a political ‘blow’ for Labour, the British Hindu community of over one million, turned its back on Labour and stood with the Jewish community. When the results came out on Friday the 13th of December 2019, Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour suffered one of its worst general election defeats in living memory with dozens of seats that the party had held on to for decades falling to the Conservatives.

Doctor in Distress. “The suitcase is packed,” says Jewish TV doctor Ellie Cannon revealing that she and her friends were discussing how to flee the UK if Jeremy Corbyn became PM amid the antisemitism row.

Fiends & Friends

While Jeremy Corbyn’s War against British Jewry had failed, concerns over antisemitism nevertheless remained. The antipathies towards Jews were deeply imbedded. The tragedy was that a party that had once prided itself on its numerically strong Jewish membership, had forced their ‘expulsion’. The disturbing legacy of Corbyn was its revelation and warning how AGAIN anti-Semites can grab control of power. This is even more concerning as antisemitism continues to find increasing traction across Europe.

Countering Corbyn. Supporters of Britain’s opposition Labor Party attend a demonstration on the 26th March 26, 2018 in London’s Parliament Square organized by the British Board of Jewish Deputies against antisemitism. (/Reuters)
 

During our recent dark days, we learned who are our friends and who will stand with us against hatred. British Jews found an unknown ally in the  Hindu community who had likely saved British Jews from feeling forced to leave the UK had Jeremy Corbyn become Prime Minster.

It was a close save!


Alone No More. Four days before the UK General Election, over 3,000 people gathered in Parliament Square holding signs that said “together against antisemitism” and “solidarity with British Jews”. (Photo: Nathan Lilienfeld/Campaign Against Antisemitism)






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

Lay of the Land Weekly Newsletter- 07 November 2021

Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscape

Reliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond

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What’s happening in Israel today?  See from every Monday – Thursday LotL’s “The Israel Brief” broadcasts and on our Facebook page and  YouTube by seasoned TV & radio broadcaster, Rolene Marks familiar to Chai FM listeners in South Africa and millions of American listeners to the News/Talk/Sports radio station  WINA, broadcasting out of Charlottesville, Virginia. You can subscribe to LOTL news from Israel and enjoy at a time of your convenience.

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Articles

(1)
Tel Aviv is Welcoming its Tourists Back

By David E. Kaplan

Beach City. From 16 beaches to choose from, here is Tel Aviv’s Frishman Beach to soak in the good weather. 

Known for its award winning beaches, beautiful promenades, historic sites, mouthwatering restaurants, pavement cafes, and bustling nightlife, Tel Aviv-Jaffa cannot wait to welcome back its greatly missed foreign tourists. If fully vaccinated – it’s time to party!

Tel Aviv is Welcoming its Tourists Back
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(2)

Beauties and the Boycott

Chief Mandla Mandela calls for Israel to be boycotted for hosting the Miss Universe pageant

By Rolene Marks

Meddling Mandla. Mandla Mandela calls on African countries to boycott the Miss Universe competition to be held in Israel.

With his chequered history through South Africa’s criminal justice system and sordid tales of annulments, affairs and paternity suits that “would rival a soap opera”, the writer argues that Mandla Mandela should be the last person any women should listen to, least of all young participants to the upcoming Miss Universe pageant to be held in Israel.

Beauties and the Boycott
(Click on the blue title)



(3)

Antisemitism – the Fightback!

Australia and the IHRA definition as part of a global battle

By Judy Maynard and Naomi Levin

Australia Acts. “We must work together, resolutely and as a global community,” says Australian PM Scott Morrison.

“Antisemitism has no place in Australia,” nor  “anywhere in the world” says  Australian PM Scott Morrison in his announcement that his government will join 32 other countries in embracing the IHRA working definition in the battle against the growing global scourge of antisemitism.

Antisemitism – the Fightback!

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LOTL Cofounders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche

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While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

The Israel Brief- 01-04 November 2021

The Israel Brief – 01 November 2021 – Israel is open! Israel at COP26. Drills in north. New York divests from Ben & Jerry’s.




The Israel Brief – 02 November 2021 – Minister of Energy could not access COP26. Sheikh Jarrah compromise. Celebrating 104 Years of the Balfour Declaration.




The Israel Brief – 03 November 2021 – PM Bennett home in time for crucial budget vote. Siren drills. Update on Sheik Jarrah. Sad, sad Israel says the NY Times.




The Israel Brief – 04 November 2021 – Budget passed! US Ambassador to Israel approved. Emirates launches direct daily flights to Israel. Israeli and Jordanian Ministers meet.






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).

Tel Aviv is Welcoming its Tourists Back

The day has dawned – Israel opens its borders to international tourists

By David E. Kaplan

For a city with a reputation as “THE CITY THAT NEVER SLEEPS”, it seems that is exactly what Tel Aviv residents have been catching up on for the last two years. Maybe, with its traditional frenetic hummus to hedonistic pace, a ‘time out’ was not such a bad idea even if the reason was a global pandemic. However, as Israelis say in such situations that have long passed their level of patience:

“ze maspik” – (“it’s enough”).

Now, with most of the country vaccinated with the booster; they are not only raring to revel but welcoming back tourists from abroad – provided of course they too are all ‘vaccinated’!

Unlike bears, hedgehogs, some snakes, bats and turtles, humans are not built to hibernate, particularly  in Tel Aviv. With 300 days of guaranteed sunshine a year and some of the best beaches along the entire Mediterranean coast, Tel Avivians are social creatures  feeling most at home when not at home.

Beach City. From 16 beaches to choose from, here is Tel Aviv’s Frishman Beach to soak in the good weather. (Photo via Shutterstock)

Anyway, all this changed on the 1st of November when Israel opened to individual tourists for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Only the day before, as a journalist, I received this Press Release from the office of the Mayor of Tel Aviv-Jafa. In poetic prose it read:

“The seabed has been cleaned, the cocktail served, the pastry warmed up and the cauliflower grilled – all reserved for our favorite customer…TOURISTS! For the first time since March 2020, individual international tourists are welcomed back into the city, just in time to swap the cold weather for a sunny winter in the city that never sleeps.”

Clearly they want local journalists  to spread the word globally, as the Press Release continues:

“The pandemic has given us a minute (or more) to focus on our city and perfecting the little details to ensure an easy landing and seamless travel experience for all those coming to discover the cultural center of Israel.”

Known for its award winning beaches, beautiful promenades, historic sites, mouthwatering restaurants, pavement cafes and bustling nightlife, Tel Aviv cannot wait to welcome back its greatly missed travelers. Most inviting of all, are its incomparable beaches –  16 to chose from!

Tel Aviv Twilight. Enjoying a late afternoon walk passing the lifeguard station on Tel Aviv’s Bograshov Beach at sunset. (Photo by Frank Fell Media, via Shutterstock)

The Israeli coastline may not conjure the majestic swells found off the beaches of Hawaii, Australia or this writer’s native South Africa. Nevertheless when the wind is right and the swell up, the allure of the crested curve invites surfers of all ages. A common sight in Tel Aviv’s ever-increasing traffic, are surf-boards on the side of mopeds as riders nips through the city traffic to the beach.

Anything Goes

To explore the newly opened city, the Municipality is offering free walking tours in English at some of the most iconic places. Whether one would want to discover the history of ancient but bustling Jaffa, the enriching culture of trendy Sarona in a 19th century Christian Templar setting, the world heritage sites of the architecturally unique “White City” or the quaint charm of Neve Tzedek where Tel Aviv began, “we have a tour to please everyone,” continues the Press Release. Coinciding with the opening of the skies to tourists, the Tel Aviv Museum of Art will open its Yayoi Kusama exhibition. There is a reason why the famed artist chose Tel Aviv as the next destination for the retrospective, and “we invite all to discover why!”

Sumptious Sarona. Tel Aviv’s version of iconic markets around the world, Sarona, in a 19th century setting, is ready to welcome back overseas tourists.

The exhibit is ranked as one of the biggest and most impressive art exhibitions opening in 2021 around the world, and will follow Kusama exhibits at Gropius Bau in Berlin and another retrospective of the artist’s work at the New York Botanical Gardens.

The Tel Aviv exhibit is a joint collaboration of Studio Kusama in Tokyo and the Gropius Bau in Berlin.

“Her entire oeuvre is mesmerizingly powerful, impressive and pleasurable at the same time,” said Suzanne Landau, curator of the exhibition and the museum’s former director. “The presentation of her retrospective at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art is definitely a unique event of historic magnitude.”

Polka-Dot Lady. Considered an influence on Andy Warhol and a precursor to Pop art,  the art of Yayoi Kusama  can we seen at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art

Now 92, Kusama is easily recognisable by her red wigs, witches’ hats and robes, and a proliferation of polka dots on her clothing and other surfaces. She would feel quite at home in Tel Aviv where “anything goes”.

With Kusama’s art having crossed into commercial cooperative ventures with luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton making her work more familiar to fans of all ages, she has emerged the most tagged artist on social media. With a public thirsting for exciting quality experiences, “particularly now, in the post-COVID-19 period with all its difficulties,” said Tania Coen-Uzzielli, director of the Tel Aviv Museum of Art, “the presentation of this monumental exhibition in Israel, in collaboration with other museums around the world, will allow the Israeli public to enjoy a unique international cultural event.”

Choice Pickings. The allure of the yellow and black polka dotted pumpkins at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art exhibition of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama on October 31, 2021 (Photo by Tomer Neuberg/Flash90)

They will be hopefully joined  by an increase in foreign tourists.

For this writer however, the best of Tel Aviv, is homegrown Tel Aviv, exploring and discovering  its unique creative fruits. This occurred this week when with my nearly-4-year-old grandson Yali, we came upon this surprise art gallery in Neve Tzedek, ZYGO on quaint Shabazi Street. Yali was fascinated, running from one sculpture and painting to another, explaining to his clueless grandfather  the meaning of each piece. Many of the pieces were variations of clothespins, which Yali easily identified and yet the runaway imaginings that evolved thereupon were expressed by:

“WOW Grandpa!”

Waiting to Welcome. Tel Aviv’s artsy Neve Tzedek  – with its fashion boutiques, handicraft shops, restored 19th century railway station, trendy restaurants and bistros and live jazz bars at night – is now waiting the arrival of the tourists.

Our reactions to the art brought out more than our lively loud discourse, it also bought out none other than the artist himself, who stepped out from his back studio into his gallery to see what the commotion was all about. Going under the name of “Zygo Artist”, he found us and launched into explaining his work and his vision. “The clothespin represents love, the coming together in embrace of two halved souls – the man and the woman.” He points to the raised leg at the knee of the woman, in dance mode with her partner. The colour and the vitality of the art so represents the exuberance of Tel Aviv but I was intrigued where the name Zygo came from.

In the spirit of innovative Tel Aviv, the artist who coined the term  “Zygotism” is set on pioneering a new art movement. The term he explains, he adopted from the realm of biology, which expresses the first stage in the creation of a new organism – the moment when two genomes combine to create a completely new genome and start cell division. A “zygote” is a fertilized eukaryotic cell.

From Love of Art to Art of Love. The Gygo Art Gallery in Neve Zedek, Tel Aviv with clothespin sculptures in the foreground.

The two become one on a third and other plateau:

 “similar to a divine love which compel two individuals to separate from their former life, home, habits and views in order to devote themselves to one another and to create a new eternal whole, which is their joined loving bond.”

Eternal Embrace. Love in the form of a coupling clothespin at the Gygo Art Gallery in Neve Zedek, Tel Aviv.
 

Not sure how much a nearly 4-year-old understood all this but most certainly was entertained  by the art and sensed there was “a lot of love going around”.

It is that same love that the newly opened city of Tel Aviv- Jaffa is ready to welcome all with open arms, and hearts!



Closeup of Clothespin. Taking a closer look at a clothespin sculpture, the writer’s 3-year-old grandson, Yali (left) at the Gygo Art Gallery in Neve Zedek, Tel Aviv. Inspired, Yali moves onto the next work of art.






While the mission of Lay of the Land (LotL) is to provide a wide and diverse perspective of affairs in Israel, the Middle East and the Jewish world, the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by its various writers are not necessarily ones of the owners and management of LOTL but of the writers themselves.  LotL endeavours to the best of its ability to credit the use of all known photographs to the photographer and/or owner of such photographs (0&EO).