Latest news with #Mizrahi
Arab Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab Times
Mizrahi Jews speak out
Jews from the Middle East and North Africa are commonly referred to as 'Mizrahim', a term derived from the Hebrew word 'mizrah', meaning 'east', with some identifying as Arab Jews. The Mizrahim trace their roots to some of the world's oldest Jewish communities, dating back to the Babylonian and Roman exiles. Historically, they lived in countries such as Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Syria, Egypt, and Morocco. Over centuries, the Mizrahim developed unique traditions, languages, and customs shaped by the diverse societies in which they lived. Nearly all Mizrahi Jews immigrated to Israel before, during, and after 1948, and today they make up nearly half of the country's population. However, as Eastern Jews, they faced discrimination similar to that experienced by Sephardic Jews, whose roots trace back to Spain and Portugal, at the hands of the Ashkenazim, the upper class of Israeli society whose origins lie primarily in Russia, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, and, to a lesser extent, Western Europe. Prominent anti-Zionist political commentator Alon Mizrahi, who identifies as an Arab Jew, recently offered his perspective on developments concerning the relationship between Lebanon and Syria, and the roles the United States and Israel are playing in them. Mizrahi claimed that the recent aggressive rhetoric and actions toward these two countries stem from a simple reason: The Israelis realize, and can feel, that the era of Zionism is rapidly nearing its end, both in American public opinion and in the Middle East. He described the current efforts as a last-ditch attempt to secure short-term gains in the hope that the existing political structure might somehow survive. However, he suggested that such hopes are unlikely to materialize. The remainder of his commentary focused on what he views as the looming decline of the Israeli state. Mizrahi's words may strike some as overly optimistic. After all, who would have imagined that Iran, isolated under a harsh American-Western blockade for over 40 years, lacking even a single operational warplane, and governed by a hardline religious regime, could partially breach Israel's defenses and inflict any level of disruption? Yet it has managed to do so. While the situation remains complex, the long-elusive dream of peace may now be closer than ever. But what about Israel's nuclear arsenal? Some may point to Ukraine, which once gave up its nuclear weapons, as a precedent. Neutralizing Israel's nuclear capabilities is not impossible, especially as other regional powers now possess comparable strategic assets. However, achieving such an outcome remains highly unlikely soon. By Ahmad alsarraf
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Isaac Mizrahi Readies for His ‘Democracy' Show
Isaac Mizrahi and his band will be back at 54 Below in New York next month with his show 'Isaac Mizrahi Survives Democracy.'Given the state of the world, that's one tall order, but the fashion designer is disciplined in his approach to deliver 'a searing look at where we are today.' The performances will be Aug. 6 to 9. Although he writes a good amount of material in advance, Mizrahi said 'sometimes the best lines come from me just extemporizing. I think that's why I have such stage fright. I prepare. I really respect an audience, and I want them to see a good show. And the music is rehearsed, rehearsed and rehearsed,' he said. 'And sometimes I just say things and that becomes what the show is about.'With music ranging from Billie Eilish to Cole Porter, Mizrahi chimes in about such subjects as politics, Pride and Ozempic. Having performed in Naples, Fla., and other locales like the Spoleto Music Festival in Charleston, S.C., he said the audience's enthusiasm varies. 'At Spoleto a few weeks ago, I did three shows. I was a little scared because it's the South and who knows who's sponsoring what,' Mizrahi said. 'But the first thing I said was 'Happy Pride.' And people just lost their minds.'He continued, 'The second thing I always say in the show is, 'Darlings, what the f–k are we going to do?' They loved it because people have been asking themselves that question.'His repertoire includes some lyrics he writes like ''Drop That Name,' which is just a bunch of names,' and 'The Cellphone Haiku,' which is written to one of my ringtones and has all of these very neurotic thoughts I have, when my cellphone rings.' There is also a tribute to the actor Timothée Chalamet, whom Mizrahi played a scene with in the upcoming film 'Marty Supreme.' Mizrahi said, 'We worked one day together. I don't know what he would do if he knew I was doing a tribute number to him. But he's so funny, wonderful and cute.'The designer was even more adulatory about Gwyneth Paltrow, who is also in the film that debuts Dec. 25. 'Gwyneth is so f–king talented. I had this tiny little scene with her, where I had nothing to do. But she had this big emotional reaction. They shot it like 17 times and she did it 17 times. I couldn't believe how great she was. She is really a good actor,' Mizrahi said. 'I played her publicist 'Merle.' That's the name of the character. I have had a few press agents myself along the way, so I had a few ideas.'The film's director Josh Safdie delves into subjects and did so for the film that is set in the 1950s. For his role, Mizrahi said he personally thought a lot about 'how people comported themselves in those days.'Mizrahi is also a contributing producer to the Hulu show 'Mid Century Modern,' and he has made a few cameos. Having looked at scripts and offered some ideas and jokes here and there, he hoped the show's co-creator Max Mutchnick will come see his 54 Below will also be performing his 'I Know Everybody' show on Aug. 10 at Guild Hall in East Hampton, N.Y., where he will tell stories about Liza Minnelli and Sandra Bernhard, as well as offer a tribute to Jon Hamm, who he 'barely knows.' Mizrahi said, 'He sort of flirts with me. That's what those gorgeous people do. They don't know they're doing it, but they do.' As for the current state of fashion, the designer said Jonathan Anderson's debut collection at Dior and Michael Rider's collection for Celine were 'thrilling.' He said, 'They don't look like a lot. You need to have to know something about clothes in order to love those shows. It's not showboating. It looks beautiful and it's about the clothes. If anything is going to reignite the clothing business, it's designers trying to differentiate between what they make for the red carpet and what they make for people to be influenced by or to actually wear.' He added, 'That sounds like a crazy old fart thing to say. But after a while, there are only so many instructions that nobody cares about. I loved those collections, because they looked directional in ther nothingness.' More from WWD Kate Middleton Embraces French Couture in Pink Dior to Welcome Brigitte Macron in Windsor Dior Lady Art Project Celebrates 10th Anniversary Haute Couture and Hospitality Inside Printemps' New Suite Augustine As for the Ozempic craze, he said, 'It looks like you've taken the stuffing out of the stuffed animal. It doesn't look natural or cool. It just looks like sad. People don't look happy when they're on Ozempic.' Best of WWD Why Tennis Players Wear All White at Wimbledon: The Championships' Historic Dress Code Explained Kate Middleton's Looks at Trooping the Colour Through the Years [PHOTOS] Young Brooke Shields' Style Evolution, Archive Photos: From Runway Modeling & Red Carpets to Meeting Princess Diana
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Orlando Bloom seen getting close to Katy Perry's stylist and ‘closest confidante' Jamie Mizrahi in Venice after split
Only days after news broke about Orlando Bloom's split from his long-term girlfriend, pop singer Katy Perry, the British actor was was seen in Venice, Italy, with a 'mystery brunette' at the back of a water taxi, which immediately sparked rumours. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now However, the woman's identity was soon revealed. As reported by the woman in the photo with Bloom is celebrity stylist Jamie Mizrahi. She is well known within Katy Perry's close circle and is a stylist to several Hollywood stars, including Meghan Markle. Mizrahi, 36, has been good friends with both Perry and Bloom for years, which makes the photo quite sensitive. The meeting reportedly took place while Bloom was in Italy for Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's extravagant pre-wedding celebrations. Heavy rain disrupted the day's events, and witnesses say Bloom took shelter in a water taxi. 'Orlando jumped into a boat to escape the heavy rain and was seen hugging a younger brunette friend at the back,' the report mentioned. Despite the gloomy weather, Bloom appeared relaxed and cheerful, laughing as they sped through Venice's canals. However, his easy-going attitude did not stop onlookers from raising eyebrows at the close moment with Mizrahi, especially since she is a close friend of Perry. Neither Bloom nor Mizrahi has made an official statement, and insiders suggest the meeting was probably innocent. Still, some believe the timing could be awkward for Perry, who is currently working abroad. 'These photos would hurt Katy deeply,' the report revealed. 'Orlando is getting close to one of her best friends.' Even if nothing is going on, it is sure to make her wonder. This incident has only increased the intense interest in the Bloom-Perry split. The couple, who share a daughter, had been on and off since 2016 before their separation.
Los Angeles Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Letters to the Editor: California, not just L.A., must find ways to fight antisemitism
To the editor: Guest contributor Rabbi Noah Farkas writes that antisemitism is 'a Los Angeles problem' ('L.A. has more to do to fight antisemitism and protect Jewish residents,' June 4). It definitely is. But it is also a San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego problem, a California problem and an American problem. The lack of solidarity he speaks of in defense of civil rights, equity and equality for Jews is a state and national problem. We feel it as painfully and as palpably in Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco as in Los Angeles. We struggle with the same challenges of being under-resourced to ensure the physical safety of Jewish community members at schools, senior centers, synagogues and community centers. We struggle, too, with the lack of recognition and inclusion of the diversity of the Jewish community including Ethiopian, Mizrahi and Sephardic voices, as Farkas notes, as well as Asian, African American and Hispanic Jews in ethnic studies curricula. Jews at California schools and universities experience well-documented marginalization, gaslighting and invidious targeting through verbal and physical abuse and violence, harassment, exclusion and discrimination, as Farkas illustrates. We need action and allyship on a local, state and national level on a bipartisan basis across society and with the support of the full diversity of the American people. Only then will Jewish people in America be safe and only then will we come closer to achieving freedom, equality and access to justice for all. Noam Schimmel, BerkeleyThis writer is a lecturer in global studies at UC Berkeley. .. To the editor: Farkas says L.A. must do more to fight antisemitism. This invites the question: Or what? What will the Jewish community of Los Angeles do if the government and citizens of the city and county of Los Angeles continue to ignore antisemitism? The word 'must' implies that there will be consequences for failure to act. Farkas should lead the Jewish Federation in developing a plan of action that will hold Los Angeles' leaders accountable for fighting antisemitism and that will impose actual consequences if those leaders fail. Stuart Creque, Moraga, Calif. .. To the editor: I doubt antisemitism is higher now than before. However, the expression of it certainly is. This is part of a general coarsening of public expression that was exacerbated in 2016 by a presidential candidate who called people names and is mean and confrontational. When he said that there were 'very fine people on both sides' in 2017, he opened the Pandora's box of hate that has its expression in vile and violent antisemitic attacks. As long as this tone is set from above, we will have violence, like that against lawmakers in Minnesota, and all sorts of hate-induced attacks. Measures that Farkas suggests will do little to counter this narrative of open expression of hate by our leaders. Harlan Levinson, Los Angeles
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iran's spy game: How the Islamic Republic convinces Israelis to betray their homeland
INTERNAL SECURITY AFFAIRS: For a fistful of dollars, Israelis are ready to assist Iran in its war against Israel. Roy Mizrahi and Almog Atias, both 24 and childhood friends, are residents of Nesher, near Haifa. Mizrahi was deep in debt due to a gambling addiction, and Atias was not far behind. Then an opportunity arose that offered to them a way out of their financial mess. A member of an online swingers group, Mizrahi made the acquaintance of an anonymous member who asked him to do a bunch of seemingly unrelated and harmless tasks, and in return he was paid handsomely. First he was told to photograph the area around his home and then document a car dealership's sales board. He was then asked to burn a note with a message against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Then, the missions became more sinister, and at some point, according to police investigators, Mizrahi became very aware that the people calling the shots were Iranian, and he was doing their beckoning. Next, he transferred a bag buried in the ground he believed to contain a bomb from one location to another. Then, it was time for the main mission. Together with Atias, who was also recruited by the anonymous online member, a surveillance camera was purchased and the two rented a hotel room in Tel Aviv, before traveling to Kfar Ahim, the southern Israel home of Defense Minister Israel Katz. They were ordered to install a camera facing the access road to Katz's home, but the mission was aborted due to the presence of security guards. Defense officials told the court that the surveillance was part of a larger plan to assassinate the defense minister. MIZRAHI AND Atias are not an abberation. It seems that every couple of weeks a new story emerges about the recruitment of Israelis by Iranian intelligence. According to a Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) report issued in January, the year 2024 saw a 400% increase in espionage cases compared to the previous year. Supt. Maor Goren, head of the security division at the Israel Police's Lahav 433 – The National Crime Unit, told KAN Reshet Bet that the arrest of Mizrahi and Atias marked the 20th case his unit and the Shin Bet have handled over the past year involving Israelis suspected of spying for Iran. There is no doubt that Tehran has used the period since the start of the Israel-Hamas War to step up its efforts to lure Israelis into spying for the regime. Twenty espionage cases have so far come to public light, and 30 indictments have been filed. Not all the stories are similar, but some clear patterns emerge. Those recruited are invariably in financial difficulty and are seeking a quick fix to settle debts. Many are new immigrants, often lacking the patriotic attachment to the state most veteran Israelis have. 'Most of those recruited are useless and are on the margins of Israeli society,' explained Yossi Melman, an espionage expert and coauthor of Spies Against Armageddon. 'But what's worrying is that a country dedicated to Israel's destruction has managed to penetrate Israeli society.' And Melman has an explanation as to why the Iranians are succeeding. 'It's connected to the disintegration of Israeli society that has been accelerating over recent years. There is no longer cohesion and solidarity,' he explained. 'Today it's each for their own, and even the government only cares about its own survival. People feel that if officials can work for Qatar, why can't they work for Iran?' Goren noted, however, that for every individual who accepts the offer, others – also contacted by Iranian operatives – cut off communication and report the approach to the police. The Iranian recruitment method is relatively simple, lacking sophistication, and without a huge financial outlay or years of planning, involving sleeper cells or similar deep penetration methods. Social media phishing is the preferred recruitment method, and it only takes a few gullible Israelis to take the bait. The Iranians are targeting haredim, new immigrants, people with a criminal background, and ordinary citizens, often going after those with financial difficulties motivated by the prospect of making some quick money. The targeting of new immigrants – a number of those arrested have been from the former Soviet Union – also may have an unfortunate ripple effect beyond a threat to Israeli security: fostering suspicion and stigmatizing specific demographics among the public. Furthermore, Iran has been able to cast a wider net, largely thanks to social media, which they leverage to recruit people. The digital approach to recruitment allows Iran to reach segments of the population that they would not have been able to access before the advent of platforms like Telegram. You may have unwittingly come across such recruitment attempts yourself. Iranian intelligence has reached out to Israelis on various platforms, including WhatsApp, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Instagram, offering generous payments for simple tasks such as taking a photo of a particular individual or site, or spraying graffiti. Sometimes the ad will seek a private investigator to obtain information on Israeli officials. There is initially no mention of Iran, and most Israelis who were recruited claimed that, initially at least, they had no idea they were working for Tehran. Other phishing campaigns posted surveys asking Israelis to enter their personal information. The Shin Bet has an impressive track record in thwarting Iran's espionage efforts, and so far, as far as we know, there has been no serious damage caused to Israel's security. However, the espionage effort is ongoing, and it is entirely possible that individuals working for Tehran have still not been exposed. Criticism has been voiced over lenient sentencing by the courts for the individuals who are enticed by Iranian intelligence. The relatively mild punishments handed down by the courts – usually a few years in prison – are unlikely to deter people who are tempted by Iran's generous cash payments. And for Iran, the capture of individuals or a cell operating on its behalf has no consequences at all. The spymasters in Tehran merely wait patiently until the next victim answers their social media messages. Moshe Attias, an 18-year-old resident of Yavne, received the following message. 'Thank you for contacting Iranian intelligence. To speak with our experts, send a message to the Telegram user below.' Attias received around $1,800 via a digital wallet to document the ward in the Meir Medical Center in Kfar Saba where former prime minister Naftali Bennett was staying when hospitalized for a week in April. Attias, posing as a relative of Bennett, also described to his Iranian handlers the security arrangements in place in the hospital for the former prime minister. Last August, Israeli police arrested 73-year-old Moti Maman, from Ashkelon, for allegedly plotting to assassinate Netanyahu, then-defense minister Yoav Gallant, and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar. Maman was smuggled into Iran twice to meet with his Iranian handlers. In Iran, he allegedly requested an advance payment of $1 million, according to the indictment against him. 'Getting so close to Bennett is an achievement for the Iranians, and it shows they are still trying,' explained Melman. 'But still, their efforts pale into insignificance when compared to Israeli intelligence penetration of Iran. Maman told his handlers there was no way he could get access to top-level officials and suggested instead the mayors of Acre or Nahariya.' In March a resident of Beersheba was arrested on suspicion of offering to sell an Iranian agent information on the Negev Nuclear Research Center. Last year a couple were recruited by an Iranian intelligence network that specifically focuses on Jewish immigrants to Israel from the Caucasus region, after being initially approached by an Israeli national with Azerbaijani origins. According to the indictment the couple received $600 per day for gathering information on potential targets, including surveillance of Mossad headquarters. A seven-member Haifa cell, indicted last year, allegedly photographed dozens of military bases, Iron Dome batteries and other strategic sites across Israel, receiving between $500 and $1,200 per task. According to the indictment, one of their surveillance targets was the Nevatim Air Force Base, which was later hit in an Iranian missile strike. Not all those recruited are Jewish. Last October seven Palestinians from east Jerusalem were arrested after being recruited by Tehran. The cell plotted to assassinate an Israeli nuclear scientist and the mayor of a major city. To date, the Iranian espionage efforts don't appear to have resulted in a spectacular success, and through a combination of digital surveillance and undercover operations the Shin Bet has succeeded in thwarting Iranian efforts. No senior Israeli figures have been assassinated. The surveillance efforts may have provided Tehran with real-time intelligence on more than one occasion but do not amount to a game changer. 'But we don't know what we don't know, and what's really worrying is that Israelis are ready to betray their homeland for a fistful of dollars,' said Melman. Herb Keinon contributed to this report.
