BACKGROUND – TALKING POINTS – ACTIONS – VOICES – STORIES | July 23, 2024
Israel’s prime minister landed in the American capital in the wake of President Biden withdrawing his bid for re-election. Just days before, an Iranian drone was launched by the Houthis from Yemen and killed an Israeli in Tel Aviv. That same day, the World Court condemned Israel’s presence in the West Bank as “illegal.” All the while, hostilities toward Israel continue to grow as death threats against Israeli Olympians escalated ahead of the opening ceremonies on July 26.
The Iranian-made drone that hit Tel Aviv flew more than 1,000 miles from Yemen, flying over Eritrea, Sudan and Egypt, taking 16 hours to reach its target from the west.
Iranian Drone Launched from Yemen Kills Israeli: ‘Iran directing terror proxies’
A modified Iranian explosive drone launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels smashed into a Tel Aviv apartment building a short distance from the U.S. consulate, killing Yevgeny Ferder, 50. The Iran-backed terror proxy controls parts of the country, including the nation’s capital. The Houthis have launched more than 200 lethal drones and missiles into Israel since 10/7 and also targeted and hit commercial ships in the Red Sea – one of the world’s most vital shipping routes. They have attacked American ships and consider America an enemy to be destroyed.
Israeli leaders showed remarkable restraint against the Houthi provocations until the fatality. The Israeli Air Force responded by striking a Houthi-controlled port where arms shipments from Iran arrive. Israel’s prime minister: “Our response makes it clear to our enemies that there is no place that the long arm of Israel will not reach,” in what is considered a warning to Iranian leaders.
U.S. Sec. of State Antony Blinken recently cautioned that Iran is closer than ever to producing a nuclear weapon. “Iran is funding, arming and directing its terror proxies in their attacks on Israel and the wider world.” Israeli Defense Force Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari continued, “We will not allow Iran and its proxies to terrorize our civilians.”
Ironically, Jewish kings once ruled Yemen. King Abu Karib As’ad converted to Judaism around 380. The Himyarite Kingdom’s conversion helped create unity. Judaism became the state religion. It lasted until the kingdom was conquered by Christians in 525 and later by Muslim invaders. In 1900, there were about 50,000 Jews in Yemen. After years of discrimination and persecution, Israel’s Operation Magic Carpet from 1949 to 1950 brought nearly all remaining Yemenite Jews home. Only one Jew remains today: the Houthis imprisoned Levi Marhabi for allegedly assisting in smuggling a Torah scroll out of the country.
A Yemenite Jewish family walking through the desert to a reception camp near Aden, Yemen, Nov. 1, 1949. (Zoltan Kluger, Government Press Office) Yemenite Jews on a flight to Israel during Operation Magic Carpet.
World Court Rules Against Israel: ‘Modern-day blood libel’
The United Nation’s International Court of Justice issued a non-binding ruling against Israel’s control of the West Bank and parts of Jerusalem. The ICJ deemed Israel’s presence as “illegal” and called for it to end. The Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations “condemned in the strongest terms the ruling from the ICJ that is rife with antisemitism and anti-Israel bias. The accusations in the ruling amount to a modern-day blood libel.”
The Conference condemnation noted that Israel holds these territories because the Egyptian, Jordanian and Syrian militaries waged a war of annihilation against the Jewish state in 1967. The organization also cited how the ruling will “hinder peace between Israelis and Palestinians” because the court’s decision ignored previous negotiations. The Court’s ruling was a response to a draft resolution made, in large part, by two dozen countries that refuse to have diplomatic relations with Israel. The Court’s president is virulently anti-Israel.
Israel’s prime minister responded: “The Jewish people are not occupiers in their own land – not in our eternal capital Jerusalem, not in the land of our ancestors in Judea and Samaria.” Much of the world considers the West Bank and East Jerusalem – including Judaism’s holiest sites – to be illegally occupied. Israeli governments from the left to right consider Judea and Samaria – the ancestral and historical lands of the Jews, now called the West Bank – disputed territory.
Despite the historical, cultural and religious significance of the West Bank, Israeli governments have agreed to hand over virtually all of the land to create a Palestinian state in return for a peace agreement. Palestinian leaders, from Yasser Arafat in the 1990s to President Mahmoud Abbas today, have rejected numerous offers in favor of terror attacks against Israelis in the hopes of destroying Israel, “from the river to the sea.” A senior Hamas official just announced during a visit to China that it signed a national unity agreement with the political party of Palestinian President Abbas.
Terrorists and Their Supporters Target Israeli Olympians: ‘We will repeat Munich’
In a brazen attack at the 1972 Munich Olympics, Palestinian terrorists assassinated 11 Israeli athletes and coaches. The devastation and memories live on in the minds of Israel’s current Olympians. Fears of attacks are starting to transpire: French police arrested a man attempting a knife attack in name of Hamas. Recently, a group threatened that it will “repeat Munich 1972 by harming any Israeli presence at the Olympics,” while citing an anti-Jewish trope. Israeli government security agents will protect its athletes during the Games. Iran condemned the “reception and protection” of Israeli athletes.
Adidas chose to employ outspoken anti-Israel model Bella Hadid for its retro 1972 Olympic sneaker campaign. Shlomit Romano, daughter of murdered weightlifter Josef Romano, expressed her “deep disappointment over the company’s insensitive and distressing decision.” The German athletic apparel company found itself in hot water again less than two years after cutting ties with Kanye ‘Ye’ West for making antisemitic remarks and a soccer jersey-Nazi symbolism controversy in April. Adidas decided to “revise” its campaign, apologized for “any upset or distress” and removed Hadid from the campaign. Hadid is considering legal action.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign is targeting Israeli Olympians. The Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Palestine Olympic Committee are among the organizations and individuals continuously calling to ban Israeli participation. Months ago, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rejected the pleas. But, that did not stop a French politician from stating that “Israeli athletes are not welcome in Paris.” A government minister condemned his “obvious antisemitic remarks.”
The longtime head of the Palestine Olympic Committee and leader of the campaign to boycott all Israeli athletes and teams previously praised the IOC for rejecting a moment of silence for the 1972 victims: “It must not be a cause for divisiveness and for the spreading of racism.” The IOC did not honor the deceased Israelis until nearly 50 years later at the opening ceremonies of the 2021 Tokyo Olympics – held in an empty stadium because of the pandemic. In contrast, the Israeli Olympic delegation commemorates the 11 murdered Israelis at every Olympics. This year’s ceremony will be held at a private, secure location because of death threats to Israeli athletes.
The Israeli delegation departed for Paris on “a national mission” to make Israelis “feel pride and happiness just for a moment.” There are 88 Olympians hoping to repeat the historical success of the last Olympics when Israel won four medals, including two gold, bringing the nation’s historic total to 13 medals, three gold. Gymnast Artem Dolgopyat is defending his gold medal in the floor exercise. Artem became world champion on 10/7 after hearing about the attacks: “I finished the day as the world champion but my mind and my heart were at home.”
Marathoner Lonah Chemtai Salpeter – a non-Jewish Kenyan who became a professional runner after moving to Israel – is one of Israel’s flag bearers at the opening ceremony. Current wrestling world champion, American Amit Elor, whose parents are Israeli, stated: “I’m wrestling for the U.S. but in my heart, I’m also wrestling for Israel.” Jewish athletes are representing multiple countries.
Terrorists target Israeli Olympians at this summer’s Paris Games. (Combat Antisemitism Movement, X)
1. Yemen is one example of the many Islamic countries that expelled all of its Jews
The Jewish community in Yemen dwindled from 50,000 in 1900 to only one today – currently imprisoned for attempting to leave Yemen with a Torah scroll. Escalating violence, discriminatory laws and forced conversions led to Israeli Operation Magic Carpet: the rescue of 49,000 Jews from 1949 to 1950. In Iraq and Egypt, the government and local citizens subjected Jews to pogroms, property confiscation and mass expulsions. These acts of ethnic cleansing uprooted ancient Jewish communities, erasing their millennia-old presence. Only a few remnants of these once-vibrant communities remain – bearing witness to a tragic chapter of forced migrations and lost heritage.
2. Civilians suffer under Iran-backed terrorist dictators
Iran-backed terrorist groups wreak havoc on the civilians under their control: Yemenites under the Houthis, Lebanese under Hezbollah and Gazans under Hamas. The Houthis have created widespread famine, disease and displacement. Hezbollah’s dominance in southern Lebanon and in the country’s political leadership has led to economic collapse and military conflicts. The 10/7 Hamas attack resulted in the destruction of infrastructure and massive civilian casualties. These proxy terror groups prioritize Iran’s geopolitical interests over the welfare of the local population, resulting in humanitarian crises, violence and instability. The civilian toll reveals the destructive impact of Iran becoming a nuclear power and further dominating the region.
3. Ancient anti-Jewish blood libels are re-branded for the modern era
Antisemitic blood libels – historically used to justify violence against Jews – continue to morph to fit the needs of those who target and persecute Jews. Medieval accusations, such as the myth that Jews used Christian blood for religious rituals, have transformed into contemporary conspiracy theories. Now, these libels manifest in claims that Jews or Israelis spread diseases, harvest Palestinian organs and use Palestinian blood in religious rituals. Social media amplifies these dangerous lies – reaching a global audience with unprecedented speed. These modern blood libels fuel attacks and discrimination, perpetuating the world’s oldest hatred.
4. Virulent anti-Jewish hatred is present even in sports
Blatant acts of discrimination against Israeli athletes is becoming normalized – especially at the Olympics. An Algerian judo athlete withdrew to avoid facing an Israeli opponent at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The Lebanese Olympic judo team refused to practice next to Israelis until a temporary barrier was erected at the 2012 London Olympics. An Iranian swimmer refused to compete in the same pool as an Israeli at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Indonesia lost the right to host the under-20 soccer World Cup after calls to ban the Israeli team and Malaysia denied visas for Israelis to compete at the 2016 World Championships. This behavior highlights the pervasive nature of antisemitism, extending even into arenas meant to foster international unity and goodwill.
5. Israeli athletes symbolize the Olympic spirit of promoting peace and friendship
Israeli athletes embody the Olympic ideals of peace, friendship and mutual respect, often overcoming political and social challenges to compete on the world stage. Their participation in the Olympics is a testament to their resilience and dedication to sportsmanship. Despite facing hatred and political hostility, Israeli athletes strive to build bridges through their performances. Instances of Israeli athletes offering handshakes and engaging in friendly exchanges with competitors from countries without diplomatic relations with Israel highlight their commitment to the Olympic spirit. These gestures of goodwill and sportsmanship serve as powerful reminders of the unifying power of sports, transcending political and cultural divides to foster worldwide harmony and understanding.
Only one Jew remains in Yemen: the Houthis imprisoned Levi Marhabi, 37, for allegedly assisting in smuggling a Torah scroll out of the country.
A. Learn about Jewish heritage in the Middle East and North Africa
Jewish communities thrived in Yemen, Iraq, Egypt and Morocco for centuries. Understanding their history involves exploring their unique traditions, languages and cultural contributions. Organizations like JIMENA (Jews Indigenous to the Middle East and North Africa) provide valuable resources, including personal stories, historical documents and educational materials. Diarna is the Geo-Museum of North African and Middle Eastern Jewish Life, working to digitally preserve the physical remnants of Jewish history throughout the region.
B. Stay informed and educated about the real stories
There are several options for learning more about what is happening in Israel – both news and analysis – from Israeli news sources that span the political spectrum from the left to the right.
American Jewish News sources:
Jewish News Syndicate (JNS) | Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA) | The Algemeiner | Jewish Insider | Forward
Israeli News Sources (in English):
Times of Israel | The Jerusalem Post | Ynet News | i24 News | Israel National News, Arutz 7 | Israel HaYom | Ha’aretz
C. Follow Israeli Athletes at the Olympics
Here are a few resources for following Israeli athletes competing in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics:
Israeli Olympic athletes pose for a photo at Ben Gurion Airport ahead of departing for the 2024 Paris Games on July 22, 2024. (Courtesy Olympic Committee of Israel)
‘They’re All Gone’ – The 1972 Olympic Munich Massacre
“Please, please, please, let us in! They’re killing my friends, they’re killing my friends!” cried Israeli fencer Dan Alon as he banged on the door of a Bahamian sprinter’s apartment, before dawn on September 5, 1972.
Minutes earlier, eight Palestinian terrorists dressed in track suits scaled a fence surrounding the Munich, Germany, Olympic village. Athletes regularly climbed over the fence, and Canadian Olympians unknowingly aided the terrorists. A Canadian water polo player “assumed they were just other athletes.”
The initial Israelis who encountered the well-armed terrorists in their apartment tried to stop the attackers and alerted others to their presence. The Palestinian terrorists ultimately held nine Israelis hostage after killing two who had wounded the attackers. The Palestinians castrated one of the dead Israelis in front of the hostages and left the bullet-ridden body of another with the hostages as a reminder.
A Team USA soccer goalie awoke startled by two armed German police officers who informed him, ‘We’re rounding up all the Jewish athletes,’ for their own safety. He was one of 12 American Jews. “For me, the massacre was the end of the Olympic dream.” Jewish American Mark Spitz – winner of a record seven gold medals – was escorted away by a team of bodyguards.
Stories Impacting American Jews
Stories Impacting the U.S. and Israel
A section of a moat that was used to fortify the Temple Mount and the king’s palace in biblical-era Jerusalem, in a photograph issued on July 21, 2024. (Eliyahu Yanai, City of David)
Stories From Around the World
Fahad Qubati at Baruch Padeh Medical Center in Poriya, Greece. (Courtesy)
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This content is developed by The Focus Project in partnership with Mercaz USA. The Focus Project distributes weekly news and talking points on timely issues concerning Israel and the Jewish people, including antisemitism, anti-Zionism and the delegitimization of Israel. It represents a consensus view across a spectrum of major American Jewish organizations. Mercaz USA recognizes and respects the diversity of views on these issues among its readers and the community at large.