The Israel Brief – 20 December 2022– UN accuses Israel of “war crime” for expelling lawyer. Netanyahu has string words for the NY Times. Israeli consulate in Doha closes. Israel to rock next summer.
The Israel Brief – 21 December 2022– Netanyahu to announce government. Israel to hold on to body of dead terrorist. LGBTQ+ organisation invites Maoz to Pride. Israel helps animals in Ukraine.
The Israel Brief – 22 December 2022– Netanyahu says gov will be formed. Chile to open Embassy in Ramallah. Afghanistan bans women from University. Christmas in The Holy Land.
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).
Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscapeReliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond
Also available on YouTube@The Israel Brief – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.
Festive Greetings From Israel
Lay of the Land wishes a Happy Chanukah and a Happy Christmas to its Jewish and Christian readers across the world as well as a happy New Year to all.
Lay of the Land will return in the second week of 2023.
What’s happening in Israel today? See from every Monday – Thursday LOTL’s The Israel Brief broadcasts and on our Facebook page andYouTubeby 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 Virginia, USA.
UN representatives downplaying terror when perpetrators are Palestinian and victims are Jews
By David E. Kaplan
Confusion or Connivance. UN’sTor Wennesland describes Palestinian terrorist attack on Jews as a “scuffle”.
How do the terrorist actions of Palestinian Ammar Hadi Mufleh attempting carjacking an Israeli couple then stabbing an Israeli police officer in the face while trying to grab his rifle, end up being described by a top United Nations official as merely a “scuffle”?
EVERYTHING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CHANUKAH BUT WERE AFRAID TO ASK
By Jonathan Feldstein
Illuminating. The candles lit on Hanukkah symbolize the oil found in the temple that miraculously burned for eight nights.
How would you relate the biblical story and explain the traditions of Chanukah to those unfamiliar with this eight-day Jewish “festival of lights”? The writer faced this question when addressing pastors from Africa who had previously no interaction with Jews or Jewish culture.
Film is a cry for justice and a demand for Jewish honour
By Michael Kretzmer
J’Accuse! Film exposes Lithuania’s Holocaust lies exploring what happened then and now.
The writer’s film J’Accuse! includes several lists, notably an 80-name list of the Lithuanian murderers of his own family in Birzai. Fifty of these murderers “WERE NEIGHBOURS”. The willing collaboration of Lithuanians in exterminating its Jewish community can no longer be ignored. “Silence,” says the writer, “is no longer an option.”
LOTL Co-founders 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).
UN representatives downplaying terror when perpetrators are Palestinian and victims are Jews
By David E. Kaplan
“Words, words, words,” was Hamlet’s reply to Polonius’ question,
“What do you read, my lord?”.
By repeating the word three times, Hamlet suggests that what he is reading is meaningless.
Jews can never afford that luxury of dismissing ‘words’ as “meaningless”!
Take the relatively innocuous word “scuffle”. It seems such an insignificant word; hardly worthy of any analysis or concern. Generally speaking, if reported that there had been somewhere a “scuffle”, one might just as likely ignore the news item.
Yet its usage earlier this month was anything but insignificant and harmless. On the contrary, it exposed blatant antisemitism at high echelons of the United Nations that warranted a summons to Israel’s Foreign Office.
The individual so summoned was the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process- Tor Wennesland.
Blind to the Truth. UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Tor Wennesland, described a Palestinian terrorist attack as a “scuffle” and criticised the Israeli policeman who thwarted the attack.
After Palestinian Ammar Hadi Mufleh and two male accomplices failed in their attempt to carjack an Israeli couple on the 2 December 2022, they then tried to grab an Israeli police officer’s rifle, stabbing him before the officer responded by shooting Mufleh dead. The stabbing and shooting can be seen clearly on security camera video footage.
Terrifying Truth. Seeing it as a “scuffle”, UN ignores footage showing Ammar Mufleh trying to grab the police officer’s weapon during the struggle.
While this was a clear premeditated terrorist attack only thwarted by the quick action of the Israeli police officer, this was not the way the UN’s Wennesland saw it. Soon after the failed terrorist attack,
Wennesland, who not only should have known better but in fact did know better – tweeted that he was :
“horrified by today’s killingof a Palestinian man, AmmarMufleh , during a scuffle with an Israeli soldier near Huwara in the occupied West Bank. My heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family. Such incidents must be fully and promptly investigated and those responsible held accountable.”
On a Knife-Edge. The knife used by Amar Mufleh in his “scuffle” with Israeli border police on December 2, 2022.
A ”scuffle”?
Displaying no concern for the victims – only “heartfelt condolences”to the attempted killer’s family – how about the UN’s “horrified” Wennesland being “investigated” and held “accountable”?
Israel’s Foreign Ministry Spokesman Emmanual Nachshon had it right when he tweeted that Wenneland’s remarks are:
“a total distortion of reality” explaining that:
“This incident is a major terror attack, in which an Israeli policeman was stabbed in his face and the life of another police officer was threatened and consequently he shot his assailant. This is NOT a ‘scuffle’ – this is a terror attack!”
This devious twisting of facts exposing bias, prejudice and antisemitism is systemic within the United Nations. Not to be outdone by Wennesland, another UN official joined the fray expressing support for terrorist attacks on Israel. Addressing a Hamas conference in Gaza following the terrorist attack, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories said:
“You have a right to resist occupation….Israel says, ‘resistance equals terrorism’, but an occupation requires violence and generates violence.”
Fran’kly Speaking. A strong critic of Israel’s right to exist or defend itself from missile attacks, Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories who compares Israelis to Nazis, addresses the UN, October 2022. (Photo: Screenshot)
Is this not the UN legitimizing and giving green light to violence against Jews?
If the UN has a nefarious track record when it comes to the Jewish state, Israel also knows how to respond.
When on the 10 November 1975, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution equating Zionism with racism,Chaim Herzog, Israel’s current State President’s father – then Israeli Ambassador to the UN – responded concluding with these words:
“For us, the Jewish people, this resolution based on hatred, falsehood and arrogance, is devoid of any moral or legal value. For us, the Jewish people, this is no more than a piece of paper and we shall treat it as such.”
Standing Tall. A resolute Chaim Herzog, Israel’s then Ambassador to the United Nations, addressing the General Assembly in 1975 following the iniquitous resolution equating Zionism with racism. (Photo/Michos Tzovaras)
With that Herzog – before the eyes of the world – tore the resolution in half.
In further response to that iniquitous UN resolution, the street names of “UN Avenue” in Haifa, Jerusalem and Tel Aviv were switched to “Zionism Avenue“.
Whether thwarting terrorism or antisemitism, Israelis today are STREETSMART!
Chaim Herzog’s Speech in Opposition to U.N. Resolution Equating Zionism With Racism
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 – 12 December 2022– Rivlin slam override law. Iran stops funding terror factions? UAE and Israel ratify treaty. Kanye wins not so prestigious prize.
The Israel Brief – 13 December 2022– Controversy over electricity on Shabbat. Did IDF release report in haste? Israel to Brief UN representative about Palestinian use of children in conflict. British PM Sunak to visit Israel.
The Israel Brief – 14 December 2022– UN Special Rapporteur’s antisemitism exposed. Czech Republic want to move embassy. IDF strike Iranian target in Syria. White House announce formation of agency to deal with antisemitism.
The Israel Brief – 15 December 2022– Family of Nizar Banat file lawsuit against PA at ICC. Israel says UN must stop allowing antisemitic comments with impunity. Iran expelled from UN Women’s Rights Commission. Bethlehem welcomes tourists.
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).
My film J’Accuse! includes several lists. There’s the 80-name list of the Lithuanian murderers of my family in Birzai (50 were neighbors); there’s the epic, disputed and mysteriously buried Melamad List of the 21,000+ Lithuanian murderers who mercilessly destroyed the great Jewish civilization of Yiddish Lithuania; there’s the list of the glorious 918 Lithuanian Rescuers, people of unimaginable moral courage who will forever be honored in Jewish memory; and finally there’s the list of Litvak Jews who almost pleased their mothers and changed the world.
You know, there were so many world famous Litvak writers, doctors, scientists, intellectuals, humorists, Nobel winners, activists, artists and Torah geniuses that it takes about three minutes to roll the names in the film, and then at some speed. And these were only what Wiki yielded – just last week I learned that the late great Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, the man who changed my own life, was Litvak through his mother.
Lithuania Uncovered. Originally published in hardcover as ‘The Nazi’s granddaughter’, award-winning journalist discovers that her grandfather, the legendary and heroic Lithuanian “General Storm” executed by the Russians was a Jew-killing antisemite.
Any other People or nation on earth would boast about this until the cows came home. But not us, not the Jews. We kvel (bursting with pride) furtively, privately, fearfully. I know my ‘List of Brilliant Litvaks’ induces a significant wave of ethnic buttock clenching:
Okay, already! Very nice but do you have to be so… public?! So boastful! Especially these days! (Here’s the glorious Jackie Mason on the subject)
I had no choice. My film J’Accuse! is perhaps above all a demand for Jewish Honour. So the list is in, and proudly so. And from what I gather, the Yidden are loving it. Good. We should be proud and stand tall, especially when confronted by deliberate insult.
The Noreika insult beggars belief. Let me summarise: the Lithuanian government, via its Orwellian Genocide Centre, has manufactured a crude mythology based on lies in order to hero worship a notorious mass murderer, thief and polemical antisemite. Jonas Noreika murdered as many as 14,500 Jews in conditions of unimaginable cruelty and his guilt has been known for decades. Most recently Noreika’s own extraordinary granddaughter, Silvia Foti, has axiomatically blown apart the pathetic denialists in Vilnius. Her book, Storm in the Land of Rain and her devastating testimony in the film J’Accuse! has left them looking naked, nasty and ridiculous.
Researched Reveal. Silvia Foti promised her dying mother she would write about her grandfather, Lithuania’s celebrated war hero and anti-Soviet partisan, Jonas Noreika. However, her research found something unexpected – that he was a Nazi collaborator responsible for the deaths of at least 8,000 Lithuanian Jews, including family of the writer.
That’s their problem. I am more concerned by the Jewish response to this demand for Honour. Why does Honour matter so much? It matters, primarily, because Torah matters. It matters because Jewish ethics and concepts of justice matter. It matters because Jewish Lithuania – that phenomenal, extraordinary civilization – matters. It matters because every human life matters. It matters because Jews, and Jewish civilization, and Jewish survival matter.
And it matters because of the deranged cruelty with which we were annihilated. These are among the Jews Jonas Noreika dehumanised, imprisoned and murdered.
The rabbis and old men tied to horses by their beards and dragged to death for public entertainment.
The young girls of Plunge dragged from their homes and raped to death in drunken parties in the woods, then dismembered.
The 74 high school girls from Plunge tricked into a Christian conversion then mockingly executed along with everyone else and thrown into a pit
The old, frail men burned or beaten to death in the Demon Dance drinking game
The men, women and children of Plunge starved for three weeks in their own synagogue amid the stench of rotting bodies and human waste, then massacred.
Please imagine if these victims were Black. Or Irish. Or American. Or Muslim. Or anyone who has pride in their identity. No other nation on earth would accept such an insult.
But we Jews accept this Lithuanian insult with barely a murmur of protest. Worse still, important players in our community gobble up their trinkets, gongs, favours and God knows what even as they carry on brazenly holocaust-lying to our faces. Do these important Jews bring up the subject of Noreika and Silvia Foti at all? Do they feel it is unimportant? And precisely on whose behalf do they talk? Anything to say, AJC?
Bridge over Troubled Water. Where once there was a thriving Jewish community in Biržai – including family of the writer – today there is this memorial bridge across water in Astravas grove – the exact site of the death pits in which hundreds of Jewish were buried. Made from sheets of metal that have etched into them 522 names of the known victims, each accompanied by a Star of David – little ones for children and larger ones for adults – the memorial bridge was designed by South African architect Dr Joseph Rabie, whose great grandparents were from Biržai.
Honestly, many of us simply cannot understand it. Perhaps someone with close ties to Lithuania can explain and of course we will listen respectfully. But patrician silence is no longer an option: the devastating testimony of Silvia Foti in her forensic book Storm in the Land of Rain and in the film J’Accuse! make this an urgent discussion.
It comes to this: do the Jewish People support the holocaust truth-teller or the Holocaust liar?
In my view there really is no choice. If we do not honour ourselves, no one will. And who could possibly blame them?
J’Accuse trailer
About the writer:
Bulawayo born, Michael Kretzmer, a former travel writer for the Sunday Times and director/producer for the BBC and other once important media organisations, a keeper of chickens and grower of fruit and veg, a student of Torah, a Husband, Dad and “Grandad of the greatest kid that was ever born”…and a man determined to fight for justice in Lithuania.
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).
Recently, I was asked to teach about Chanukah with a church group in Dallas. I entered the conversation thinking it was really quite straight forward, that most Christians at least in America surrounded by a Judeo-Christian culture, know at least the basics about the holiday.
I began by relating a story about when I did a teaching two years ago with a group of pastors in Africa, who have no interaction with Jews or Jewish culture. One pastor stated excitingly that it seemed like such a great holiday, we should celebrate it more often. I always found that one of the most charming jumping off point for discussion, even with Christians in America who know much more, but typically don’t know as much as one would think.
Chanukah is the celebration of the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after its desecration by Greek enemies of Israel. Rather than destroying the Temple, again, they desecrated it, which left it unfit for ritual use.
The answer to my African pastor friend as to why we don’t celebrate Chanukah more often is because Chanukah is always celebrated on the 25th of the Biblical month of Kislev, the day that the Temple was rededicated, some 2200 years ago.
The restoration of the Temple was made possible by a military victory under the leadership of Judah Maccabi. The name Maccabi has become synonymous with strength and overcoming enemies. It has also been adapted for use in popular culture, among other things the name of a popular musical group and a line of frozen kosher foods in America, as well as the name of one of Israel’s largest health funds.
Most Christians know that Chanukah is an eight-day holiday commemorating the miracle that during the rededication of the Temple enough pure oil was found to light the menorah for one day, but which miraculously lasted for eight days. For eight days we light candles, increasing one candle each night. We eat traditional foods that are fried in oil commemorating the miracle of the oil. Not so healthy but decadent and tasty.
Chanukah is also a musical holiday during which it is customary to sing Psalms 113 to 118, called Hallel, thanking God for the miracles He has performed. There are also many songs celebrating the miraculous victory over Israel‘s enemies.
But even if you were a biblically literate Christian with a deep knowledge of Judaism, how would you know all this about Chanukah since it is not featured prominently in the Bible. For answers to this and other questions delving into the how and why of what we do, I hosted Rabbi Avi Baumol on my Inspiration from Zion podcast.
During my teaching in Dallas, I received questions relating to who lights the candles and why. There were questions relating to the giving of presents as well, with a popular misconception that every family gives every member a present every night. I explained that each family has its tradition.
Also, because Chanukah is not one of the Biblical pilgrimage festivals during which all forms of labor are prohibited as instructed in the Bible, it offers an opportunity for families to have larger social gatherings, employ different traditions. Especially in Israel where it is a public holiday and schools are closed, it’s common for people to travel throughout the country, or even overseas during our popular winter vacation.
I also related how in Israel, weeks and sometimes months before Chanukah, the whole culture begins to focus on the holiday. This includes Chanukah displays in stores, the increasing number of Chanukah delicacies on offer such as latkes and brisket to kugel and jelly doughnuts – and more. And it’s as mundane as hearing Chanukah songs as background music in malls and other public places, replete with seasonal sales that also employ the holiday themes.
As much as this was new information for many of the participants, I especially liked engaging them about the place in the New Testament where Chanukah is mentioned. It’s so subtle that if you don’t know what the first century Jewish culture is about, you wouldn’t necessarily know that John 10:22 is talking about Jesus celebrating Chanukah in Jerusalem. But if you don’t know what “the Festival of the dedication” is, you would have no idea that Jesus was in Jerusalem to celebrate the holiday.
As an Orthodox Jew with less familiarity with the New Testament, this raised many interesting questions which we discussed, but many of which were still unanswered.
Since Chanukah is not a pilgrimage holiday like Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), Sukkot (Tabernacles) when Jews were expected to worship and bring offerings to the Temple, I asked why Jesus was in Jerusalem anyway.
I wanted to understand why this one reference in all of the New Testament was there to begin with. Was it the only time that Jesus came to Jerusalem for the holiday and if so why and what was going on? Or is there something that was unique about this one particular visit, and it’s assumed that Jesus spent many winters celebrating Chanukah in Jerusalem. Unlike today when one can drive between Nazareth and Jerusalem in under three hours, making a pilgrimage by foot or donkey would take days, and days of planning. Forget the time off work.
While the conversation was going on, one person googled and shared some information which affirmed that it was customary for first century Jews to go to the Temple. After all, the military conquest and rededication of the Temple was relatively modern history to them.
This did not answer my questions, but did affirm something that should not be forgotten and that is that Jesus was a first century Jew, his life and culture were Jewish, and he worshiped in the Temple according to Jewish tradition. In a world where ‘Replacement Theology’ (i.e. that God has rejected the Jews and they are no longer his chosen people) remains widespread, and some try to erase the centrality of Jerusalem to Jews (and therefore Christians), it’s important that we remember this, and that Christians understand that everything Jesus did was essentially Jewish.
About the writer:
Jonathan Feldstein - President of the US based non-profit Genesis123 Foundation whose mission is to build bridges between Jews and Christians – is a freelance writer whose articles appear in The Jerusalem Post, Times of Israel, Townhall, NorthJersey.com, Algemeiner Jornal, The Jewish Press, major Christian websites and more.
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).
Unveiling the contours and contrasts of an ever-changing Middle East landscapeReliable reportage and insightful commentary on the Middle East by seasoned journalists from the region and beyond
Also available on YouTube@The Israel Brief – Simply click on the red subscribe button to receive alerts when a new report is posted.
What’s happening in Israel today? See from every Monday – Thursday LOTL’s The Israel Brief broadcasts and on our Facebook page andYouTubeby 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 Virginia, USA.
Recalling my interview with a foot soldier who participated in the decisive Battle of El Alamein 80 years ago.
By David E. Kaplan
High Anxiety. An anxious crowd gathers around a radio shop in Tel Aviv Street to hear news of the war
If ever there was a battle whose outcome was of great concern to the Jews of Palestine it was the Battle of Al Alamein in 1942. Their lives and the future of a Jewish state hung in the balance. The writer recalls his interview with the late Leib Frank who participated in this historically decisive battle.
Kanye West or ‘Ye’ is engaging in a diatribe against Jews that even has white supremacists aghast
By Rolene Marks
Devil’s Debate. Antisemitic triumvirate Ye, Alex Jones, and Nick Fuentes on Infowars livestream.
While the convenient impulse is to ignore and not give oxygen to antisemites, Jews have leant the lesson – fatally – of passivity. Public debates with celebrities like Ye joining forces with other kindred antisemites promoting Hitler and spreading Jew hate cannot be ignored. The writer argues say “Nay” to “Ye”.
A selection of opinions and analysis from the Arab media
Arab writers opining on Middle East issues, write on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar unveiling as much a ‘clash of ideas’ as a clash of competing football teams.
LOTL Co-founders David E. Kaplan (Editor), Rolene Marks and Yair Chelouche
To unsubscribe, please reply to layotland@kenmar11
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 – 05 December 2022– President Herzog’s historic trip to Bahrain. Netanyahu “no harm to LGBTQ” rights. IDF strike targets in the Gaza strip in response to rockets fired. Gaza fishermen happy now fibreglass allowed into enclave.
The Israel Brief – 06 December 2022– Al Jazeera file lawsuit at ICC. Saar says don’t extend Bibi mandate. Official calls on JNF to bolster diaspora. Kanye tells Jews to forgive Hitler.
The Israel Brief – 07 December 2022– Secretary of State Blinken addresses JStreet. Yesh Atid call for protests. ICC Prosecutor to visit “Palestine”. Israel 5th safest country for tourists.
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).
Two Arab writers opining on Middle East issues write on the 2022 World Cup in Qatar unveiling as much a ‘clash of values’ as a clash of competing football teams
FOOTBALL AND JUSTICE
By Abdul Latif Al-Minawy
Al-Masry Al-Youm, Egypt, November 25
As I write these lines, Breel Embolo, a football (soccer) player on the Swiss national team, scored the winning goal for his team in its World Cup match against Cameroon. This might seem normal to the average reader, but those who are familiar with the player’s background will immediately understand the irony, since Embolo is Cameroonian by birth. One can only imagine how confused – and perhaps torn – the player felt when he scored the goal. Embolo couldn’t be happy or sad. The sadness on his face wasn’t the “ordinary” sadness one would expect from a professional football player who beats his former team. Rather, it was sadness over injustice – the injustice that forced him to leave Africa, abandon his homeland, and move to Switzerland. Few professional opportunities exist for people in Africa. Therefore, exceptionally talented Africans – be it athletes, musicians, artists, or scholars – look to Europe for a better future. At home, they will have to face issues like corruption and nepotism. Abroad, they will have a fair chance for development and growth. And while many talented Africans find themselves pursuing a professional career abroad, nowhere is this more heartbreaking to observe than in sports, where an African player may find himself playing against his own home country’s national team.
Football isn’t just a game. Rather, it is a microcosm of life.
Mixed Feelings. A muted celebration for Breel Embolo after scoring his first World Cup goal for Switzerland against his birth country Cameroon. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
The World Cup is an opportunity for countries to demonstrate their skill and power against others. In beating Cameroon on the playing field, Switzerland affirmed its position as a force to be reckoned with. It is a model for life, neither a continuous winner nor a continuous loser, Jürgen Klopp, the manager of Premier League club Liverpool answered when asked about his permanent smile even when he his team loses. He said:
“It is because when my son was born I realized that football is not a matter of life or death. We do not save people’s lives.”
Football should not spread misfortune, hatred and misery. Football should be about joy and inspiration.
Abdul Latif Al-Minawy
WESTERN VALUES AND THE WORLD CUP
By Meshary Al-Dhaidi
Alsharq Al-Awsat, London, November 23
The FIFA World Cup is not just the premier sporting event in the Western world, but it is also an occasion to promote Western values across the globe. For a long time, we’ve witnessed liberal values, which were once considered radical, assume the center stage of Western societies. I’m not talking about the normalization of homosexuality or same-sex marriage. I’m talking about how the entire concept of gender has been questioned. There is no more “male” and “female,” but a wide host of other gender identities that people can assume. Even young children are being indoctrinated and taught these ideas and values at school today. These values are being put to the test in the current FIFA World Cup games held in Qatar.
Clash of Values. Football federations who had planned to wear the ‘OneLove‘ armbands to make a statement against discrimination during the World Cup in Qatar were faced with “extreme blackmail” that led to dropping the planned action said German FA.(Photo Reuters)
The International Federation of Football Associations banned the wearing of gay symbols, badges and apparel during the games, including the “one love” badge. This angered some European teams, including Germany’s national team, whose players were filmed covering their mouths – as if they are silenced – ahead of their first match. The Germans lost that game to Japan, and some cynics commented on the score by showing a caricature of the German players with an image of a rainbow in their heads playing against the Japanese players, who had an image of a football in their minds. According to a BBC report, seven European national team captains were expected to wear the “one love” armband during the games. The German Football Association claimed that “depriving us of wearing the armband is like depriving us of speaking.” The only thing that FIFA allowed the captains of the teams was to wear the “no discrimination” badge throughout the tournament period. This is what Germany’s captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did in the match against Japan. However, the truth is that the Western insolence doesn’t even reflect all the players on the Western teams. For example, the captain of the French national team, Hugo Lloris, announced that he would not wear the armband because he wanted to pay respect to his Qatari hosts. They might not like it, but Westerners visiting Qatar for the World Cup games may just discover that the universe doesn’t revolve around their own values. They are neither the source of truth, nor are they the ultimate manufacturers of noble values. Other societies, other peoples, and other countries might not agree with their liberal philosophies and worldviews. They may have their own beliefs, but those beliefs are far from universal. Perhaps a trip to Qatar is what it takes for them to understand this simple reality.
– Meshary Al-Dhaidi
*(Translated by Asaf Zilberfarb)
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).
Kanye West or Ye as he now prefers to be called has engaged in a diatribe against Jews that even has white supremacists aghast
By Rolene Marks
Have you ever watched or listened to something in the media and asked yourself, is this real? Am I imagining this? Surely this cannot be happening? Those were the sentiments expressed in my home last week when reluctantly (and without the benefit of imbibing something alcoholic) my husband and I ventured near Kanye West’s latest diatribe against the Jews – this time on Info Wars, hosted by poster-child for the far-right, Alex Jones. Infowars is reportedly banned from most platforms; but clever sleuthing by my husband and The Jerusalem Post, it was found.
Devil’s Debate. Kanye West, Alex Jones, and Nick Fuentes during an Infowars livestream on December 1, 2022. (Infowars/Banned Video/Global News)
It has taken me a few days to be able to put down in writing what I heard because what Kanye West, who calls himself Ye, spewed was so abominable, so offensive that I was momentarily stunned into silence.
Why did we watch, you ask. Morbid curiosity? Gluttons for punishment? Content for my radio slot the next day? All of the above.
Ye, wearing a full face mask to show his support for shamed fashion house, Balenciaga but really just looking like an extra from an ISIS kidnap video, appeared along with white nationalist Nick Fuentes, who made headlines when he accompanied him to a dinner at Mar-a-Lago with former President Trump last week. Balenciaga is shamed for adverts that feature children and looking dangerously close to promoting paedophilia.
A veritable triumvirate of antisemites.
Heading Hate. The new high-profile faces of antisemitism in the USA – Kanye West or Ye (l) and Alex Jones (Photos by Paras Griffin/Getty Images and Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images)
Ye had everyone in his sites – from Benyamin Netanyahu to commentator, Ben Shapiro and the ADL (Anti-Defamation League) as well as any Jewish businessman who had told this overgrown tantrum-riddled toddler, no.
But it was this comment that really went beyond the extreme. The artist formerly known as relevant, began to praise Hitler.
“You’re not Hitler, you’re not a Nazi, you don’t deserve to be called that and demonized,” Jones told Ye.
Ye, who I shall now rename, Ye-dolf responded:
“Well, I see good things about Hitler also. I love everyone,” Ye said in response, “And Jewish people are not going to tell me you can love us, and you can love what we’re doing to you with the contracts, and and you can love what we’re pushing with the pornography” while also condemning Hitler, he added, saying “you can’t say out loud that this person ever did anything good, and I’m done with that.”
Sign of the Times. An image integrating the Swastika with the Star of David posted by Kanye West to Twitter before his suspension, December 2022 (screenshot)
“Every human being has something of value that they brought to the table, especially Hitler,” Ye continued. “Also Hitler was born Christian.”
As the show headed to a commercial break, Jones told Ye he had a “Hitler fetish,” to which Ye responded, “I like Hitler.”
Ye also said he does “not like the word evil next to Nazis” after Jones pushed back on some of his comments, saying, “I love Jewish people, but I also love Nazis. We gotta stop dissing Nazis,” he said.
Jones laughed in response, saying, “Well, I have to disagree with that.”
When a shill for the far-right feels uncomfortable with these types of comments, well, you may have a problem.
Still wearing his mask, Ye then spoke about his political aspirations. No, I am not making this up!
He spoke about approaching former President Trump about being his running mate in the 2024 elections and said this about being rebuffed:
“They want to separate and confuse the Christians and make us afraid to stand next to each other, because Jesus can saveeveryone, but if the Zionists can get us so afraid that they’re going to do what they’ve been doing to me. … You put on the whole armour of god, and they will not be able to break your spirit.”
Hatemongers. Nick Fuentes (l) at a rally with right-wing conspiracist Alex Jones (r), made numerous antisemitic remarks on Jones’ InfoWars show including, “I don’t see Jews as Europeans and I don’t see them as part of Western civilization, particularly because they are not Christians.” (Zach Roberts/NurPhoto via Getty)
As Jones was visibly uncomfortable and Fuentes watched with a grin, Ye pulled out a bottle of Yoo-hoo chocolate drink and a small net he indicated represented Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu, mimicking him in a high-pitched voice saying, “We have to control the history books. We have to control the banks. And we have to go and kill people.”
He didn’t stop there. He accused Rahm Emmanuel of “controlling Barack Obama”.
It went from worse, to well, worse.
Rapper gone Rouge. Appearing on the Alex Jones “InfoWars” show with Nick Fuentes, Ye (formerly Kanye West), said “I like Hitler” and also asserted that Hiller had “redeeming qualities” and “didn’t kill 6 million Jews.”( Evan Vucci/AP Photo)
The artist formerly known as popular was condemned by most. I was following journalists tweeting as he spoke and many of them expressed the same sentiment – this level of hatred was so bad, that they were visibly uncomfortable and horrified.
Good. They must be. For years Jews have been sounding the alarm about rising antisemitism and it has fallen on uninterested ears. Twitter mogul Elon Musk has suspended Ye’s account for posting offensive imagery:
Antisemitism is now at a tipping point. We have said it before and will say it again – this is not the tirade of a man in the throes of a breakdown. Ye has a history spanning several years of antisemitic comments, deftly buried by his influence. Oh the irony! And they say we Jews don’t understand irony…….
Where do we go from here? One thing is for sure, we cannot be complacent or silent anymore. Commentator, Jordan Peterson, weighed in on Ye’s comments, saying that Jews are the canary in the coal mine and this is a sign of the “hell” to come.
Friendly & Frightening. Wildly welcomed at a ‘Make America Great Again’ rally, Nick Fuentes has “jokingly” on livestream denied the Holocaust and compared Jews burnt in concentration camps “to cookies in an oven”
Like him or not, Peterson is correct. What starts with the Jews never ends with the Jews. Are we prepared? The alarm bells are no longer ringing – they are clanging. Ye said he was going “DEATHCON 3 on the Jews”. Well, he has gone full nuclear.
He may be unhinged with hate – but we have to be very aware of his influence on many who still sadly, support him. We cannot afford not to be.
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