In Hebrew, the word for "victim" is korban, which has a strong religious connotation akin to a ritual sacrifice. The term conveys the sense that the victim offered up his or her life on the altar and it's meant to ennoble their suffering and sacrifice. One would expect this term to be used reverently regarding Israelis murdered in the current round of … [Read more...]
Israeli-Palestinian Musician’s Subversive Critique of Mizrahi Politics-Culture
The controversial Israeli-Palestinian performer, Jowan Safadi, produced a new song, It's Hard to Be an Arab, which features a provocative YouTube video. When I first listened to it without knowing anything about Safadi, I thought he might be a Mizrahi Jew satirizing his own ethnic community's prejudices. But after hearing the song's lyrics, it became … [Read more...]
Bibi Invited Pop Star Who Called for Obama’s Death to Sing HaTikvah on Election Night
Amir Benayoun is one of Israel's most famous Mizrahi pop stars. The closest thing to him here might be Ted Nugent, if Nugent had remained popular and sang songs calling Pres. Obama Hitler and wishing for his death. For that's what Benayoun, a darling of the political far-right, has done. He wrote a new song about Pres. Obama. It's an execrable song, not … [Read more...]
After Gaza War, One-Third of Israelis Consider Emigrating
Israel's Channel 2 published a poll which found that in the aftermath of Operation Protective Edge, one-third of Israelis are considering emigration. 56% would not emigrate were they given the opportunity. Unlike in the past, only 36% would think badly of anyone who did emigrate. In some ways, this is nothing new. The great national poet of Israel's … [Read more...]