Israel-Kurd magazine

I recently came across an article by Radio Netherlands discussing the printing of the second issue of Israel-Kurd magazine. I was impressed for to reasons:

1) Not that long ago, this kind of press freedom would have been unheard of in Iraq and

2) It illustrates the growing relationship between Israel and the autonomous Kurdish region of northern Iraq.

In the magazine, publisher Dawud Baghistani calls for the return of Kurdish Jews to northern Iraq, whom he considers native Kurds. Some may return and many other Israelis will visit which is sure to contribute to the prosperity of the region. But I don't think this is the most important element of the publication of Israel-Kurd magazine. So what does it all mean?

A primary reason for the growing closeness between Israel and the Kurds is strategic. As both are non-Arabic peoples, they have certain interests in common. For Israel, the Kurds provide an intelligence source into Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey, as all four countries have large Kurdish populations. As such, there are numerous reports that claim the presence of Israeli military and intelligence officials operating out of northern Iraq. For the Kurds, Israel is a source of inspiration and support for their own future national ambitions.

I've also heard that the number one source of television news for the Kurds is from Israel to the point that the joke is that if the Israelis say it's going to rain, you should grab an umbrella.

There's also the historic ties between Jews and the Kurds. As we discussed before, both peoples likely share common Hurrian ancestry. Abraham's Ur of the Chaldees may have been the Hurrian city of Urkesh in northeastern Syria, a home of the Kurds today. It is also becoming more apparent that the early Hebrews followed many customs of Hurrian origin including the perplexing reference by Abraham that Sarah was his sister. In Hurrian custom, calling one's wife your sister was a privileged status that came with extra rights. So, the historic ties between the two peoples run deep.

I hope that the growing ties between Israel and the Kurds is a sign of increasing freedom and eventual peace in the Middlel East. It definitely adds to Israel's security and prosperity, as it does for the Kurds also. Like the Turks, the Kurds can act as a bridge between Israel and the Arab world which can lead to greater trust and stability.

I ask that you join me in learning more about the historic relationship between Jews and the Kurds and will work to foster a close and more prosperous future between our two peoples. I'll talk more about our special relationship in the future, so you can start by checking back here to learn more.

Until next time....

Shmuel