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Join Etz JIAC 11am 6/14: Israel as an Apartheid State? A South African Perspective
Etz Chayim’s Jewish and Israel Action Committee (JIAC) offered its first Zoom talk on Sunday June 14, 2020 online to provide an enlightening and stimulating perspective and discussion about Israel, Jews and the Diaspora. This talk is planned as the first of a JIAC sponsored series entitled Guardians and Prophets: Diaspora Jews and Israel Need Each Other to offer perspectives on Israel, Diaspora, BDS, Anti-semitism and many other issues. Guardians care about the security of the Jewish people, both in Israel and the world, while Prophets care about the evolution of Judaism and about Jews and Israel doing the right things in the right way.
Speaker: Olga Meshoe-Washington, CEO DEISI International
Israel is frequently portrayed by its protagonists as an “Apartheid State” - by Roger Waters, the BDS movement, an Arab-led panel within the United Nations in 2017, and by many “social justice” student groups on college campuses across the US. Many Israelis and American Jews consider this analogy to be both offensive and unfair. But is it? Why or why not?
Without an understanding of the facts, discussion on the topic cannot rise above frivolous propaganda, name calling and popularity contests. For instance, what actually was apartheid in South Africa? What was the typical experience of black people there? What were the core policies enacted by the government that led the US to boycott South Africa? And how do those things compare to the reality of Israel today?
Olga Meshoe-Washington, our speaker for this event, grew up in South Africa under apartheid. She has a very unique perspective that will answer these questions and illuminate many surprising facts about how Israel compares to the apartheid era in South Africa.
Olga is a recipient of the Jerusalem Award and an outspoken critic of the "Israeli apartheid" analogy. She is the head of Defend Embrace Invest(in) Support Israel (DEISI) International.
She has long been a supporter of education to counter anti-Israel campaigns in her country of birth. A well-known international speaker on the subject, Olga will discuss her unique perspective on the Christian mandate to stand with Israel, her personal experience countering de-legitimization of Israel, and what others can do to support Israel in their communities.
An open Q&A session followed her presentation.
The Jewish and Israel Action Committee (JIAC) is a group of congregants who are proud and inspired by the accomplishments and contributions of Israel and Jews. We are engaged in articulating the positive aspects of Jews and Israel and working to refute both misunderstandings and deliberate lies of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement as well as anti-Israel and anti-Semitic activities on middle school, high school and college campuses across the country. We arrange for guest speakers, and provide occasional update and action alert emails so that recipients can make their voices heard. For more information about the JIAC, see our home page.
Resources
Resources
Olga has provided the following information if you wish to learn more:
- Websites:
- DEISI website www.deisi.org . This provides more information on the organization, our work, how we can be assisted and how we can assist.
- Olga's personal website www.olgamw.com . Describes Olga's speaking engagements and supports personal engagement with Olga
- YouTube:
- Books:
- Israelophobia - a compendium of essays written by authors including Ilan Carr, Khaled Toameh and Alan Dershowitz. I had the privilege of contributing to this book. It explores the different angles in which anti-Semitism is expressed and how to address it.
- The case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz - a good read that respaddresses the various arguments that seek to delegitimize Israel. Alan makes a compelling case for Israel
- Zionism and the Black Church by Dumisani Washington - a good read to gain insight into the connection between ancient Africa and Israel, and the black American (particularly the black American church) and Israel
- The Revolt by Menachem Begin - a good read to better understand and appreciate the need for Israel's creation
- Minority of One by Hussein Aboubakr - a good read to gain insight into why some hate Israel and the possibility of them changing their opinions (it's the story of Hussein, how he grew up in Cairo as a Jew-hater but today stands with Israel).
We recorded Olga's talk, and her responses to several questions. If you would like to view a copy, please mail us a request.
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