The next stop of my journey today was a secret I have kept for many months. Very few were aware that my cousin David Kahtan the creator and producer of “The Long Journey Home : The Untold Story of Iraq's Jews,” was working on an event to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Farhud.
Kol Hakavod to David, he worked tirelessly to create an event hosted by the President of Israel Isaac Herzog and the First Lady of Israel Michal Herzog at Beit HaNassi.
Over 200 guests attended this solemn yet beautiful event to honour the survivors of the Farhud and those who were murdered.
I had the absolute honour to meet with Nadiya Cohen the wife of Eli Cohen, we spoke in our native tongue. I met survivors who knew not only my father but my grandfather, its a small world.
One of the panel was the sister of Shlomo Mansour z”l, who had survived the first Farhud only to be murdered at the second another Farhud, that of October 7th 2023. Same frenzy, same level of evil.
I will post more tomorrow, it’s been a long, emotional day, and I will admit to being tired.
They prepared a delicious Iraqi Sabich brunch, so perfect down the best amba. A taste of Iraq with a fellow Iraqi and his wonderful family.
He survived the Farhud, managed to escape Saddam, me a survivor of Saddam, times when you don’t need words, the tears speak volumes. 2/2
Today, I had the honour of meeting a survivor of the Farhud, a distant cousin of mine. We have recently connected.
It was amazing, heartwarmingly emotional. We greeted by holding hands, our eyes welling with the tears of shared trauma. We just held hands. 1/2
To all my Jewish friends, I want you to know you aren’t alone. There are those of us who will support you loudly and unashamedly. I can’t even begin to imagine what you’re facing. But I’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with you…now and always. Shabbat Shalom my friends 🕯️🕯️
Israel announces suspension of relations with UN Secretary-General
@antonioguterres
In light of the fact that Guterres chose to violate every standard of honesty, fairness and professionalism, Israel has decided to sever all ties with his office and will wait until a new UN Secretary-General is appointed.
@BlondShelley@imluciekon Listening and feeling very emotional at @imluciekon ‘s words plus totally respect her taking a stand to now be free to stand as a proud Jew.
This is an utter disgrace. One of the great cultural institutions of this country has demonstrated that intimidation works and surrendered to an antisemitic mob. Jewish people are being bullied out of British public life.
The British Museum has cancelled a Jewish Culture Month event on Ancient Israel and Judah due to ‘security concerns’.
If publicly-funded institutions cannot host such events without folding to pressure, serious questions arise about that funding.
@britishmuseum@George_Osborne