The Invention of the Mizrahim (Arab Jews)

[Saif al-Arab]

The Invention of the Mizrahim ​

Ella Shohat

This essay examines the paradoxical effects on Arab Jews of their two, rival essentialist nationalism - Jewish and Arab. It shows how the Eurocentric concept of a single "Jewish History" cut non-Ashkenazi Jews off from their origins, even while Zionist idea that Arabness and Jewishness are mutually exclusive gradually came to be shared by Arab nationalist discourse. The emergence of a new, hybrid identity of Mizrahim, as a product both of Israel's assimilationist policy and of resistance to it, is discussed. Finally, the author proposes an interdisciplinary framework - Mizrahi studies - as a way of going beyond hegemonic Zionist discourses while at the same time making a strong link to the Palestinian issue.

http://img2.tapuz.co.il/CommunaFiles/44245324.pdf

A very interesting and much recommend read for Arabs.

@Falcon29 @The SC @EgyptianAmerican @Gomig-21 @Hell NO and other members of the "gang" here.

 

[The SC]

Muslims entered Spain not as aggressors or oppressors, but as liberators. In this multicultural society, many Jews and Christians held government positions. Moreover, the Golden Age of Jewish history is in fact known as the period of Muslim rule in Spain. Islam allowed the Jews to flourish in Spain, with the example of the renowned philosopher Moses Maimonides, (Musa ibn Maymun) who wrote Guide to the Perplexed. "Judaism probably welcomed the conquest of Spain by the Muslims in 711. With the Muslim conquest began a Golden Age of freedom and tolerance for Jews. They freely entered the fields of government, science, medicine, and literature." Spain was home to by far the largest and most brilliant Jewish community in Europe; elsewhere, the Jews were hounded and persecuted. Although non-Muslims paid more in taxes than the Muslims, it was by far less than any previous government had imposed upon them, especially Roderic's. In addition, it obviously wasn't much of a burden, however, since non-Muslims freely opted and longed to live under Muslim rule.

http://www.hispanicmuslims.com/andalusia/andalusia.html

Most of the Jews in Usrael today are from European origins, they even had a "kingdom" somewhere in Ukraine, so they obviously identify with Europe mostly and had forgotten the origins of their religion which is the middle east with its own culture.. so they certainly live in a conflict of cultures in their minds, thus the denial of the middle eastern Arabic culture..

 

[Bubblegum Crisis]

The Invention of the Mizrahim ​

Ella Shohat

This essay examines the paradoxical effects on Arab Jews of their two, rival essentialist nationalism - Jewish and Arab. It shows how the Eurocentric concept of a single "Jewish History" cut non-Ashkenazi Jews off from their origins, even while Zionist idea that Arabness and Jewishness are mutually exclusive gradually came to be shared by Arab nationalist discourse. The emergence of a new, hybrid identity of Mizrahim, as a product both of Israel's assimilationist policy and of resistance to it, is discussed. Finally, the author proposes an interdisciplinary framework - Mizrahi studies - as a way of going beyond hegemonic Zionist discourses while at the same time making a strong link to the Palestinian issue.

http://img2.tapuz.co.il/CommunaFiles/44245324.pdf

A very interesting and much recommend read for Arabs.

@Falcon29 @The SC @EgyptianAmerican @Gomig-21 @Hell NO and other members of the "gang" here.

The Invention of the Jewish People

https://www.amazon.com/Invention-Jewish-People-Shlomo-Sand/dp/1844676234



...

 

[jewishm]

mizrahi jews from arab countries are about 60% of israeli jews so you are wrong

 

[Fledgingwings]

Is it a sect of Jews??

 

[jewishm]

Is it a sect of Jews??

mizrahi jews is just name for all 850k jews of arab lands that come to israel in 1950-60.
in israel there is mizrahi jews and ashknzi jews (europe).
iraqi jewish for example is mizrahi like moroccan jewish...

 

[Fledgingwings]

So basically all Mizrahis are Israelis Right?

 

[jewishm]

So basically all Mizrahis are Israelis Right?

you can find mizrahi jews that dont live in israel but its normal. most of mizrahi jews are in israel.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

mizrahi jews from arab countries are about 60% of israeli jews so you are wrong

This is exactly the point. Zionist Israel has done everything in their power to pretend that the culture and heritage of the Mizrahi Jews (Arab culture) is "Jewish" culture. More precisely in order to create a uniform Eurocentric (Ashkenazi-dominated) Israeli Jewish identity. An artificial identity much like modern-day Israel.

This artificial identity and entity has tried and is trying to delegitimize Palestine and the Palestinian identity as an entity and identity which is less "indigenous" than the current Israeli Jewish identity and entity. So basically a murderer thinking that everyone else is a murderer too.

You should read the entire report. it is very interesting and written by a Jew herself.

@Falcon29

I would like to hear your opinion about this topic brother as a Palestinian.

 

[jewishm]

This is exactly the point. Zionist Israel has done everything in their power to pretend that the culture and heritage of the Mizrahi Jews (Arab culture) is "Jewish" culture. More precisely in order to create a uniform Eurocentric (Ashkenazi-dominated) Israeli Jewish identity. An artificial identity much like modern-day Israel.

This artificial identity and entity has tried and is trying to delegitimize Palestine and the Palestinian identity as an entity and identity which is less "indigenous" than the current Israeli Jewish identity and entity. So basically a murderer thinking that everyone else is a murderer too.

You should read the entire report. it is very interesting and written by a Jew herself.

@Falcon29

I would like to hear your opinion about this topic brother as a Palestinian.

i agree that the govermant tried somhow to erase our "arab" culture to make us as israelis. well the wars and hate from the arab world helped but not really succeed. we talk with alot of arabic words the best food and music is of mizrahi jews. also 20% of israelis are muslims so you can say that israel is majority jewish by religion but also majority arab by culture.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

i agree that the govermant tried somhow to erase our "arab" culture to make us as israelis. well the wars and hate from the arab world helped but not really succeed. we talk with alot of arabic words the best food and music is of mizrahi jews. also 20% of israelis are muslims so you can say that israel is majority jewish by religion but also majority arab by culture.

I would recommend you to read the entire report. It is relevant for Mizrahi/Arab Jews (ethnic Arabs who follow Judaism or Arab/ancient Jewish/Hebrew mixtures as most of the Arab Jews are). The minority of Arab Jews can deny their ancestry for all I care but facts are facts and DNA results have already proven those schizophrenic people wrong.

However at least you openly admit those influences which is positive.

 

[Fledgingwings]

you can find mizrahi jews that dont live in israel but its normal. most of mizrahi jews are in israel.

How much do they make of the total population of israel??

 

[jewishm]

How much do they make of the total population of israel??

about 60% of israeli jews are mizrahi jewish.

 

[monitor]

mizrahi jews is just name for all 850k jews of arab lands that come to israel in 1950-60.
in israel there is mizrahi jews and ashknzi jews (europe).
iraqi jewish for example is mizrahi like moroccan jewish...

So mizrahi Jew's are homogeneous Jew of Israel remaining are migrants from Europe?

 

[Falcon29]

This is exactly the point. Zionist Israel has done everything in their power to pretend that the culture and heritage of the Mizrahi Jews (Arab culture) is "Jewish" culture. More precisely in order to create a uniform Eurocentric (Ashkenazi-dominated) Israeli Jewish identity. An artificial identity much like modern-day Israel.

This artificial identity and entity has tried and is trying to delegitimize Palestine and the Palestinian identity as an entity and identity which is less "indigenous" than the current Israeli Jewish identity and entity. So basically a murderer thinking that everyone else is a murderer too.

You should read the entire report. it is very interesting and written by a Jew herself.

@Falcon29

I would like to hear your opinion about this topic brother as a Palestinian.

It's interesting, you can tell them apart from Ashkenazi Jews. Back when my parents were young, they had many friends who were 'Arab' Jews. They would visit Gaza as well, and Palestinians would visit or work in Israel. One of my distant cousins is married to an Mizrahi Jew as well. I haven't met any personally, I've only met Ashkenazi being that I am in the US. I've seen interviews with Mizrahi's and they seem to be reserved about their background. Some of them seem to have an identity crisis too. They play it safe and just state they're Israeli, since I think they face some pressure from the society. Now the Ashkenazi ones are more influential.

I'd be interested to learn about Arab Jews in Mecca, I don't think they are the Mizrahi ones.