Dear Chaverot
Can you believe that it is already the end of 2019? I can’t! This year has flown and it has been an immense pleasure to be of service to you this year. I look forward to many more and I am so excited to see many of you next month at the EGM. The highlights of the year was definitely the opportunities that I had to visit our incredible federations in the USA and Australia and 2020 is already off to a great start with the pleasure of our global sisterhood beginning celebrations for WIZO’s 100th centennial.
With our great triumph comes a reminder that there are also challenges. WIZO has always had the ability to adapt to changing times and as we see a spike in antisemitism that we have not seen since pre-World War 2, so we need to be prepared to do what we do best – be warrior ambassadors for Israel and the Jewish people. It is with this in mind that the portfolio of Public Diplomacy & Hasbara was formed at WIZO and I look forward to the next years fulfilling it.
In this edition of Straight Facts, we hear from a Syrian who changed perspective on Israel, find out why anti-Zionism and antisemitism are mutually exclusive and more.
Don’t forget that if you would like to receive news updates and interesting op-eds straight to your phone, join our WIZO News Whats App group. It is open to all WIZO Chaverot. Simply send me a Whats App on + 972 52 582 9090 with your name and you will be added. Please note this is Whats App only and not email.
I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones Chag Chanukah Sameach and see you in Tel Aviv!
I hope this is of service to you.
Warm regards,
Rolene Marks
World WIZO Executive: Public Diplomacy & Hasbara: Office of the Chairperson
+ 972 52 582 9090
rolenemarks@yahoo.com
Denying Israel’s Right to Exist is Antisemitic:
Zionism is the international movement that reestablished a Jewish nation-state in the historic Jewish homeland — Israel. To be a Zionist today is no more or less than to support the right of the Jewish people to self-determination. So to deny the one and only Jewish state a right to exist is antisemitism is it not? Dan Elbaum writes more:
https://transatlanticinstitute.org/analysis/denying-israels-right-exist-antisemitic
Yes, Anti-Zionism IS Antisemitism
Respected journalist, Bret Stephens, give three very clear reasons why we cannot make a distinction between anti-Zionism and antiSemitism here:
https://www.aish.com/jw/me/Yes-Anti-Zionism-is-Anti-Semitism.html?s=mm
Anti-Feminism and Anti-Zionism
Today, feminists who identify with being Zionists are often made to not feel welcome at events but this is not the first time in history there has been this divide. In the past, entire cultures and civilizations were mobilized to drive a wedge between the ‘Good Woman’ and the ‘Bad Feminist,’ between the ‘Good Jew’ and the ‘Bad Zionist.’ Dr Einat Wilff writes more:
https://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/252810/anti-feminism-and-anti-zionism
The New Normal?
Everyday there seems to be a new manifestation of antisemitism. This fast metastasizing social cancer is spreading throughout the world. Is it becoming the new normal? Rolene Marks investigates:
https://layoftheland.online/2019/12/03/the-new-normal/
Listen: How a Syrian Became an Advocate for Israel:
Syria and Israel are two countries that are technically at war. During Syria’s crushing civil war, Israel provided humanitarian aid, at great risk to the safety of the IDF soldiers. Hear how a Syrian refugee has become a great advocate for the Jewish state here:
https://www.timesofisrael.com/what-makes-a-syrian-refugee-become-a-pro-israel-advocate/
Would you like to submit an article for inclusion in Straight Facts? All languages are welcome!
Email Rolene Marks, World WIZO Executive: Public Diplomacy & Hasbara
Email: rolenemarks@yahoo.com
Tel.: + 972 52 580 9090
