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Ran Bar Yoshafat

Thanks UNESCO for making it clear

I will never forget the jolt I received on one of my first PR trips representing Israel. I entered the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, determined to carry out my task. Almost immediately I noticed a young woman holding a sign: “Jewish Lesbians For Hamas.” Initially, I was floored. I looked at her, and wondered to myself how one even begins a discourse with such a person? After all, Hamas seeks, as part of its political platform, to kill all Jews, no matter where they are; and Hamas hangs anyone they discover belonging to the LGBQT community. The truth is that in Gaza, even her hair color – pink and crew cut – would cause Hamas to place sanctions on her of kinds she could not possibly imagine.

The source of this erroneous perception begins when there is no knowledge of history, therefore no tools to judge the present. The outcome, then, is a warped, skewed opinion, and an individual open to manipulation.

When we set up the Facebook page titled TICP – The Israeli Cartoon Project – we had exactly this kind of issue in mind:  how can we make it possible for people to quickly and clearly see the error in the claims made about Israel, through cartoons and caricatures.  And once again, this kind of response is needed, after UNESCO decided that no connection exists between Jews and Jerusalem.

3000 years on no connection to the temple mount.. Cartoon by Moshik Gulst for TICP
3000 years on no connection to the temple mount.. Cartoon by Moshik Gulst for TICP

 

The Jewish people and Christians share one great thing: belief in the same book: both religions are based on the Old Testament, and for Christians there is additionally the New Testament. This latest and utterly ridiculous decision passed by UNESCO follows a series of decision which seek to eliminate all ties between the people of Israel and its land, and conceal the root of western civilization’s development.

Cartoon from TICP by Uri Fink
Hey, UNESCO, it’s time you learn history. Cartoon by Uri Fink from TICP

Martin Niemoller, anti-Nazi activist, wrote in his famous poem that “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist.  Then they came for the Trade Unionists but I did not speak out, because I was not a Trade Unionist.  Then they came for the Jews, but I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew.  Then they came for me – and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Good morning UNESCO, feeling dizzy? Cartoon from TICP by Shay Charka
Good morning UNESCO, feeling dizzy? Cartoon from TICP by Shay Charka

My dear Christian fellows, you have received an amazing gift from UNESCO. This time, the bells ring for you too. While Daesh continues to eradicate histories and identities by the power of the sword, UNCESO tries precisely the same – by the  power of the word. This is a battle of identity and freedom, of Judeo-Christian perceptions, and the very basis of western culture, against distorted misrepresentation, outright lies and narrow interests.  And this struggle is occurring, whether you decide to take part or not.

If you decide to take part, as a first step, we would be pleased if you would go to our Facebook page, share the cartoons there, drawn by top pro-Israel artists, and help bring truth to the forefront with their humorous but direct messages.  LIKE them, SHARE them, and be involved!

The author is a specialist in international pro-Israel Public Relations, author of “I flew to talk about Israel,” and a partner in TICP – The Israel Cartoon Project.

About the Author
Attorney Ran Bar-Yoshafat is an author, international speak, PhD candidate in American Jewish History.
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