This story stopped me in my tracks. 🤍
It’s from Israeli historian Avi Schlaim, whose grandmothers came to Israel from Iraq. To them, Iraq wasn't just a country—it was "Paradise Allah," the Garden of Eden. It was home.
My grandmother and grandmother came to Israel from Iraq with us. They felt deep emotions and nostalgia for Iraq. They often referred to Iraq as "Paradise Allah", which means English "Garden of Eden".
To them, Iraq was the real homeland, and Israel was a kind of deportation. To explain their state of mind to the Old Testament's famous version of the varsEnough: "We used to remember Babylon and wept about Babylon sitting by the water of the gin."
Their personal experience expresses the fundamental conflict that is deeply hidden in Zionism. Zionists claim that they have a historic relationship with the Jews in the Middle East. But the culture and geopolitical view of the state that has been formed is completely Western.
Israel itself, and its enemies also sees EuropeanAs an expansion of colonialism. Although located in the Middle East, Israel is not part of the Middle East. It is an Euroceantric state that it was not possible for people like my grandmother to think of their own homes.
My mother, who died in Israel at the age of 96 in 2021, often remembered about his Muslim friends who came to our Baghdad house. One day after he set foot in the age of ninety -nineI asked, "Did we have a zionist friend in Baghdad?"
He looked at me in surprise as if my question was strange. Then clearly said: "No! Zionism is a matter of Ashkenazi (European Jew). We had nothing to do with it!" This was basically the idea of our ancestors about Zionism - until they were forced to send them to the state of Israel.
Was ZionA remote, unfamiliar, small country. Our journey was not the result of any ideological decision. Rather, it was a compulsory exit. In fact, we were forcibly dragged on the Zionist project.
Immigration from other states is usually called "Aliya". This means the rise. But for us, it was "Yarida" for us, as well as social and economically downward collapse.We have not only lost our wealth and belongings by going to Israel, but also our self-proclaimed Iraqi-Jew. Because after reaching Israel, we were pushed there at the bottom of the Israeli society; Under the Ashkenezid.
--- From Iraqi-born Israeli historian Avi Schlaim's autobiographical book "Three Worlds: Memoir of an Arab -jew".
This personal history reveals a profound and often hidden conflict within Zionism—the story of the "Arab-Jew," caught between a lost Middle Eastern homeland and a new state that saw itself as Western.
This isn't about taking a side; it's about understanding the immense complexity of history and identity. It’s a reminder that behind the headlines are human stories of profound loss, belonging, and the meaning of home.
What are your thoughts on this perspective? Had you heard this narrative before?
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If you're interested in exploring more nuanced histories and personal stories that challenge the mainstream narrative, I highly recommend Avi Schlaim's book, "Three Worlds: Memoirs of an Arab-Jew." It's a breathtaking read.
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