Julius Malema, the anti-white demagogue who leads the communist Economic Freedom Fighters party in South Africa, has come out in favor of Russia in the ongoing war with Ukraine. In the distant past, radical African nationalists used to let squabbling Europeans sort out their own mess, but Malema has decided to wade into the conflict on the side of the aggressor. I guess he finally found some white people he likes, and all they had to do was kill other white people.
This is an important marker for the future, because Malema has a political future in South Africa. He is charismatic and smart, and attempts to relegate him to the political margins have largely failed or backfired. There is a real chance that his party becomes part of the government of South Africa if the ruling ANC falls below 50% in the 2024 election, and needs a coalition partner other than the minority-led, centrist, liberal Democratic Alliance (DA).
There is one other point that makes Malema's stance relevant to Americans: he justifies his visit with the Russian ambassador by citing "neo-Nazi" propaganda in the pro-Ukraine camp. There is no doubt that there is a neo-Nazi presence in the Ukrainian military; there is also no doubt that some reports from Ukraine have been propaganda. But those who are inclined to dismiss the Ukrainian cause in its entirety as a result should also know with whom they are siding.
https://twitter.com/Julius_S_Malema/status/1504092125193019393
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This week’s portion tells the grand story of the prophet who tried to curse people of Israel and instead ended up blessing them.
I am reminded that these portions continue to be relevant anew, as this particular reading lent the title for Israel’s recent 12 Day War against Iran, “Operation Rising Lion.”
This week's portion includes the commandment of the red heifer -- one of the classic "irrational" commandments whose fulfillment is an expression of faith. It also includes the regrettable episode in which Moses strikes the rock.
I referred to this story in a wedding speech last night. Why was Moses punished for striking the rock in Numbers, when he struck the rock without incident in Exodus -- both for the purpose of providing water to the people?
The answer is that in the interim, the Jewish people had received the Torah, which is like the marriage contract between the people of Israel and God. In a marriage, you do not resolve things by breaking boundaries, but through love.
The additional reading, from Judges Chapter 11, is the story of Jephthah (Yiftach), a man whom the leaders spurn, but to whom they must turn to save the nation. The parallels to our present political circumstances are striking.
Shabbat Shalom and Happy Fourth of July!
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