So

“so” has become the fashionable word, with which more and more people begin their sentences. It is almost always meaningless and just an empty word. It does not serve as a ‘therefore’, nor as an ‘in order’.

It is not as ridiculous but just as annoying as the generic filler word “like”, which many people pad their sentences with, when searching for the right word.

So, here’s a good New-Year’s resolution… cut out the Sos.

Tachles

For German readers, here’s a short piece of mine, that appeared in this week’s Tachles, the Jewish weekly magazine of Switzerland.

It is about the use of earth, purportedly from the area of the Nazi concentration camps, to create a provocative reminder of what collaboration with right-wing extremism can lead to. The idea of the artists, who were behind this installation, was to warn against any pacts with Germany’s AfD party. There was an uproar and the artists apologised: The ashes of the victims should be allowed to rest in peace was the general view and especially the voices heard from German Jewish organisations.

I think that – if indeed, after so many years, the earth still had any leftover ashes ­ – this use, to provoke German society against right-wing xenophobia and racism, is the best that has happened to them in the last 75 years.  

united Kingdom – What Now?

He did it. He won by a landslide. The papers are full of analysis and predictions. What will he be like, now that he’s got that all-enabling majority? Where is Britain going? What about Scotland? Ireland? united Kingdom?

In all of this, we should not forget the underlying facts: Britain is where it is because of a nationalist and xenophobic drive, led by Nigel Farage and his enablers, succumbed to by a weak Tory Prime Minister, David Cameron, who produced a half-baked referendum, followed by Theresa May and a Tory party, the deceitful message of which it was that 51.5% of the vote reflects “the will of the people”, a notion that turned into a mantra of the political class. All this was nurtured by a Brexit pushing populist press. Then there is the interesting question of foreign meddling (Putin?) and the personal interest and whims of a few mega-rich individuals who finance such campaigns.

The deed is done. Will it be good for Britain? Nationalism and Xenophobia are bad. Full stop. They go hand-in-hand with racism and antisemitism. And they have all been given a free run. From this point of view, the whole process has been extremely bad for Britain.

Will it be good for Britain’s economy, for people’s standard of living, for the quality of their lives? I think not. Time will tell.

What is it be: Leave the country? Build a bunker and store food and medicine? Pray? Meditate? It’s the time of the year and it will probably just end up with drink and be merry.

Our Boys vs. Stray Weeds

If you have the opportunity to watch the Israeli 10-part-series Our Boys, do so. Netflix(?) HBO(?) It is worth watching.

It is a docu-drama that revisits the revenge killing of a 16-year-old Palestinian by three orthodox Jews. A real story that happened in Jerusalem in July 2014. The series gives insight into remote – perhaps even alien – societal groups, unknown to most of us: Palestinians, Ultra-orthodox Jews, and... Israeli secret service. You get to understand them all better. Even the warped world and world-view that produced the killers.

I recently asked one of the writers and directors of the series, to what extent, they may have been instrumentalised by the shabaq, Israel’s internal security service. After all, the film’s portrayal of the shabaq is sympathetic and it was a fact, that the film’s directors had been granted access to the interrogation files – surely an unusual occurrence. The only explanation, that I can think of for shabaq’s decision to cooperate with the makers of this series, is the hope that it would benefit their PR.

My interlocutor believed that not to be the case. Indeed, those who are willing to think beyond the excitement of the show, may be asking themselves, why the Israeli secret service treats Jewish suspects of hate crimes with kid gloves, whereas it shows no such reservations when it comes to its dealing with Arabs.

Interestingly, the original name for the series was to be “Stray Weeds”. At some point, they must have concluded that Our Boys better portrays the state of affairs in Israel.  

Here’s an official HBO trailer.

France I - The Strikes

Perhaps it is French laicité , a concept going back to the French revolution, that is behind this regular screwing up of the pre-Christmas period by French unions. December seems to be the month, in which they like to make life miserable for their own countryfolk and terrorise whoever is in power. 

On a more serious note, it must also be the French revolution that explains the mega-aggression, whenever the French go on strikes. Blocking the roads throughout the country is standard. Some years ago, I read that a French historian explained the difference in striking patterns between France, where strike action often precedes negotiations, and other countries, in which strikes will be undertaken when negotiations fail. The French are proud of their revolution and consequently there seems to be more acceptance of violent behaviour to further one’s aims. Guillotine anyone?

The latest strikes have come about to prevent Macron’s government from going ahead with its plans to reform the pension system. I can well understand the frustration of many, who feel that the rich are getting richer, whilst they are facing old-age with not much bread and definitely no cakes.

They are right but preventing a reform in the pension system will not put the burden on the rich. It will simply pass the burden to the next generation: that is, to the children of those who are striking. Is that what the strikers want?

France II – Macron and Antisemitism

In February of this year, France’s President Macron, at an annual dinner of CRIF, the representative body of French Jews, came out with a statement equating anti-Zionism with Antisemitism: "L'antisionisme est l'une des formes modernes de l'antisémitisme" Whichever of his assistants had written that text, is either an idiot or under the thumb of a pro-Israel lobby. 

 

That was ten months ago. Now the French parliament has passed a resolution repeating Macron’s idiocy. The Israeli government confirmed that “The adoption of the resolution came after many months of diplomatic efforts by the Israeli embassy in Paris.”

Whereas I believe that establishing a Jewish state in Palestine was morally justified, I do not expect everyone to share my view. I definitely do not expect Palestinians to do so: For Palestinians, Zionism means dispossession, displacement, occupation and structural inequality. It is cynical and insensitive to stigmatize them as anti-Semites for opposing Zionism. They oppose Zionism not because they hate Jews, but because they experience Zionism as an oppressive political movement.  

The fact that some Antisemites are also anti-Zionists, does not mean that all anti-Zionists are Antisemites. Antisemitism is way too serious a problem to handle it superficially, only because the Israeli government takes advantage of European guilt over the Holocaust.  

France III – Leonardo & More

Despite the above, French politicians and politics will not prevent me from going to the Leonardo exhibition at the Louvre and the El Greco and Toulouse-Lautrec exhibitions at the Grand Palais. A nice French restaurant or two will hopefully make it easier to digest all that culture.

Johnson should send flowers to Usman Khan

A couple of days ago Usman Khan went on a killing rampage in London and managed to kill two passers-by. In doing so, Mr. Khan made his own personal contribution to the election campaign of Boris Johnson. Two weeks before the elections, instead of defending his party’s running down of Britain, Boris Johnson is now able to talk about the favourite subject of the world’s politicians: terrorism.

We must stop this nonsense:

Politicians and media around the world are playing with our emotions with their ridiculous “fight against terror”.

We should stop acting as if people killed by terrorists are more valuable, important, loved or lovable than people killed in car accidents or people killed by murderers without political motives.

In truth, it is the politicians who are terrorising us with unnecessary panic. If they want to lower the number of people dying unnecessarily, they should find out where an investment would be most efficient. My guess is that car accidents is where the attention should be going: In the years 2000-2017, the average number of deaths in the UK was: terrorism – 7, dog bites –18, hot water – 100, road accidents – 2,920.

Don’t be misled by your politicians or by headline-hungry media.

The Chief Rabbi and Labour

Two weeks before the elections in Britain, the country’s Chief Rabbi, came out with a statement that was tantamount to an endorsement of Boris Johnson. He should not have done that.

I share the Chief Rabbi’s discomfort and frustration by a Labour party that does not handle Antisemitism in its midst and by Corbyn, the leader of that party, who enables this.  More than that, I despise Corbyn for his scandalous dereliction of duty, as the Leader of H.M. Opposition, to oppose the Tory government on the most important issue that this country has had since 1945: Brexit. But I do not share the Rabbi’s view that anxiety as to “What will become of Jews and Judaism in Britain if the Labour Party forms the next government?“ is justified.

Speaking out against Corbyn, without at the same time speaking out against Johnson and his Conservative party’s miserable track record on racism, islamophobia and xenophobia, was wrong.

As a moral and theological authority, the Chief Rabbi should have left such a blatantly political interference to the Board of Deputies of British Jews, the body representing Britain’s Jews.

UK Elections – Who to vote for?

Half of those who participated in the Referendum, three years ago, voted against Brexit. This population of Remainers has been swindled out of its rightful voice in parliament, because of Jeremy Corbyn’s personal Brexit sympathies.

So, who should British Remainers vote for? They should vote tactically: If the Liberal-Democrat candidate in their constituency has a good chance of getting in, they should vote for that candidate. Regardless of how much they like the incumbent MP. Otherwise, they should vote Labour.

It now seems that Boris Johnson will get more votes than Jeremy Corbyn and it is vital that he should not be able to form a government without a coalition partner. The price of the Liberal Democrats for such partnership will hopefully be a second referendum.

Brexit is the important issue and people should vote with that in mind. But even for those, who do not feel that strongly: The Liberal Democrats’ more balanced policies in virtually all spheres would be critical dampeners to the extremist agendas of both Conservatives and Labour.

Above all: Vote.

Many Jews want Boris Johnson out. But how can we vote for Jeremy Corbyn?

This is a link to Jonathan Freedland’s splendid article in the Guardian about Corbyn's Jewish problem. It is worth reading. 

For anyone who does not feel personally addressed by Freedland’s call, here's another reason not  to vote Labour: Corbyn is pro-Brexit and he has swindled all of us “remainers” of a voice in parliament. As a leader of the opposition, he did not oppose. His partners-in-crime, the party’s leadership, are his enablers. Do not forget: half of the voters, voted remain.

A Labour party that does not get rid of Corbyn, despite the above, does not deserve to win. 

It may be that a massive vote for the Liberal-Democrats, which would force a coalition government, is the only way.

Products from Israeli settlements must be labelled, EU court rules

The European Court of Justice has ruled that “Foodstuffs originating in the territories occupied by the state of Israel must bear the indication of their territory of origin.”

This ruling is welcome. If enforced, it should enable those, who do not wish to support the illegal Israeli settlements in the West Bank, to avoid buying their products. The alternative would be to boycott all goods manufactured in Israel. Is that what Israel wants?

Prof Kontorovich, the director of international law at the Jerusalem-based Kohelet Policy Forum, said the European court was “approving putting a new kind of yellow star on Jewish-made products”. Pfui Kontorovich, professor or no professor. This relativism is disgusting.

Pfui also to those voices who speak of Antisemitism in the court’s ruling. (In Germany, it’s the usual suspects, whose philosemitism includes the support of Israel and its politics, such as Die Welt or BILD)

On the timing of a killing

A couple of days ago, the Israeli air force assassinated a senior leader of the militant Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad. 

Col. (res.) Omer Bar-Lev, member of Parliament (Labour) and son of a former Chief of Staff, Haim Bar-Lev, came out with a statement that this assassination was carried out for internal political reasons. For his opinion, Bar-Lev was immediately ticked off by his own party leader as well as by Israel’s President Rivlin. 

Bar-Lev, who did not speak out against targeted assassinations, nor against the killing of this specific Palestinian, simply said what is blatantly obvious, that Netanyahu – who is fighting for his political life and perhaps even his freedom from jail – has timed his decision to assassinate now in order to further his personal needs.

A statement such as Bar-Lev’s is extremely unusual in Israel, a country in which, military activity regularly freezes any critical thinking. Uttering such criticism is considered as near treason. Most other Israeli politicians either agree with the killing or don’t have the balls to speak out.

Asmik Grigorian

Last night at the Frankfurt opera, I had the great pleasure of hearing the wonderful Asmik Grigorian, as Manon. Puccini... I know... not normally my thing. Having already heard Grigorian, as an amazing Salome (Salzburg, 2018) and Marie (Wozzeck, Salzburg, 2017), I went to Manon Lescaut, because of Grigorian, and I am glad that I did.

Joshua Guerrero was a very good des Grieux.

Wie redet Deutschland mit Juden!?

I will be giving a lecture about the problematic discourse in Germany relating to anything connected to Jews, Israel and Antisemitism.

If you are in Freiburg on 7 November, come to Theater Freiburg and hear Wie redet Deutschland mit Juden!?

More information at the theatre’s website.

Israel Criticism – The trap of anti-Semitism allegations

A paper of mine “Israel criticism – The trap of anti-Semitism allegations” appeared in the autumn edition of conflict & communication online.  

Discussions about Israel, and Israeli politics, pertaining to the Israel-Palestine question, often lead to the critic – especially if the language used is harsh – being accused of Antisemitism. The purpose of introducing accusations of antisemitism is the derailment of the argument. Such discussions frequently follow a regular pattern, in which critics find themselves on the defensive and the debate turns from one about Israel to one about the critic’s alleged Antisemitism. In the interest of honesty and to facilitate factuality and sobriety in debates about Israel, the paper suggests that any personal prejudice or motivation, which a critic may or may not harbour for their arguments, be disregarded.

The paper, albeit in German, can be read HERE.

Istanbul

I recently flew through Istanbul’s new airport. Istanbul, it turns out, evidently knows how to clean, when it sets its mind to it. One could almost eat from the shiny floors of the airport. Well, if that is what you like.

Between two flights, I had a few hours at the airport, and I spent most of the time unsuccessfully trying to connect to the internet. The system seemed to be overwhelmed by the numbers of travellers going through this ambitious airport. Had I, however, felt the urge to shop, all the luxury brands are on offer. Then again, trying to find an English speaker at the coffee shop, was more difficult.

I saw quite a few men with scalps, that looked as if they had gone through a torture chamber. Self-flagellation? Not quite. Turkey does a brisk export business in hair-transplant services and these young (well, young is a relative term) men were travelling back to their home countries in their post-operative state. I suppose that it is, after all, a sort of self-flagellation.

Talking of self-flagellation, I also noticed large groups of orthodox Jews, travelling back to Israel after a pilgrimage to their Rabbi’s grave – Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s grave in Uman, a small town, three hours’ drive from Kiev. This has become very popular in recent years and tens of thousands of Rabbi Nachman’s devotees spend thousands of dollars to participate in this idolatrous happening. They go to Uman to pray, as they believe that prostrating themselves on the grave of Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, who died in 1810, will spiritually enrich them and solve all their problems. Israeli press has juicily reported that devotion to local prostitutes is also part of the attraction for some pilgrims. One Haredi who has been to the city dozens of times claims that the prostitution is controlled by Israeli crime bosses in league with Ukrainian pimps. 

Halle – Appropriation

Several friends have asked me why I haven’t written anything after the killing of two people near the Halle synagogue, by a native-German, right-wing extremist. He tried to penetrate the full synagogue, fortunately without success. And yet, he managed to kill two people in the street. In his message, the killer explained that feminism was to blame for low birth rates in the west, which he said had led to mass immigration. He added that he was a holocaust denier and said “the Jew” was the root of these problems.

A lot has and still is being written about the incident. Most of what one reads about the killing, be it in the printed media, or on social media, is crap. I am not sure why the death of two people should have so much more impact – calls for action, for change, vigils, flowers, candles and public tears wherever you look – than the underlying, unattractive and extremely worrying, right-wing hatred that is being promoted in Germany and in many other countries. But that is the way public sentiment works. 

It has all the required ingredients to shock: Jews, killing, synagogue, Yom Kippur and Nazi propaganda. And yet,

is it serious for a senior journalist to headline her commentary with “The deadly danger of being a Jew in Germany” or for an intelligent Jewish writer to talk about Germany, as “a country where hatred for those who are perceived to be different slides effortlessly from a tick on the election ballot to genocide”?

Some take advantage of this incident and go much further, to advance their usual agenda. One, who has shown the greatest Chutzpah, was Mathias Döpfner, the CEO of the Axel Springer media concern (Die Welt, Bild). In his article about Halle, he lists various incidents, in which immigrants were involved in recent years and moves on to demand more immigration control. Hallo, Mr. Döpfner, the Halle killer is one of yours, no import. With his writing, Döpfner blatantly promotes the right-wing AfD party. He does not tell people to vote AfD but fosters the fears and thoughts that bring voters to this despicable party.

Promoting hatred kills.

Azerbaijan I

My first impression of Baku was its architecture. It may now be better known for the contemporary architecture, buildings erected in recent years, but what struck me first were the many impressive buildings, built in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries. The oil boom in Baku brought money, demand for housing and created oil barons who had money and wanted to show it off. They had their mansions built on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

The country continues to benefit from oil money, or at least some in the country evidently do… and so they continue to build…

The Carpet Museum: Outside and Inside

The Carpet Museum

And the oil pumps keep at it, seemingly everywhere...

Azerbaijan II – Zaha Hadid

The late Zaha Hadid, was the architect of the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre. Human rights groups had criticised the project, because of the eviction by force of families who had lived in the area. But a judge on the panel that awarded Hadid the London Design Museum’s 2014 Design of the Year Award, waxed lyrical "It is as pure and sexy as Marilyn's blown skirt." So there.

Here’s the sexy skirt and its creator:

This is not the first of Zaha Hadid’s buildings, to have been scandal-ridden. When asked about the 500 Indians and 382 Nepalese migrant workers who have reportedly died in preparations for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the architect behind the  stadium responded: "I have nothing to do with the workers. I think that's an issue the government – if there's a problem – should pick up. Hopefully, these things will be resolved." There were problems in connection with a development in China as well.

But then again, architects often get their really big, exciting and most profitable projects from big money and powerful men, sometimes those wielding absolute power.

Azerbaijan III – the Cult

The second thing that impressed me, was the personality cult. The current President is Ilham Aliyev. His wife, Mehriban Aliyeva, is the Vice-President. His predecessor was his late father, Heydar Aliyev.

Wherever you go, you are greeted by big billboards with the late President’s picture. Baku’s international airport is named after Heydar Aliyev, as is the gigantic mosque, the country’s sports and exhibition centre, and the impressive cultural centre built by Zaha Hadid. 

Azerbaijan IV – Armenia

Wikipedia has a special article on Anti-Armenian sentiment in Azerbaijan. Indeed, one cannot avoid the deep hatred that is not only the official government line, but also widespread.

Azerbaijan’s government talks of genocide.