G’day everyone from Australia!
Actually, I don’t usually say g’day or know anyone personally who actually says it, but I’m saying it for the tourists on this occasion.
Now, due to some kind of clerical error by management, I find myself joining the dynamic team at Israellycool, where I have just become an official contributor. And the truth is that it’s an extremely proud moment.
My name is Justin and I was born in a small town near the harbour city of Cape Town on the bottom tip of South Africa. And growing up in a small community, you become insulated to the world around you, oblivious of the great big unknown that lies beyond the borders of your small shire. But as the years moved on, the world begins to open up, and you become exposed to more of the dark and gritty side of life – a life far removed from the warmth and comfort of the small world you once knew. You realise suddenly that the world doesn’t always think as you think – and the knowledge that is so ingrained in your mind, is nothing but a myth to others.
And as I got older, I began to take a greater interest in Israel and the news around it. I found myself getting so worked up (as Diaspora Jews get when Israel comes up on the radio) and shaking my fist at the air – which made me look extremely silly in traffic.
I eventually left South Africa, moved to New Zealand and am currently in Australia, so excuse me if the accent in my blogs appears a little confusing. I am a wandering Jew after all.
And then came the Gaza war of 2014. And once again, as I experienced in the past, the world media simply didn’t get it. So I decided to throw myself into the public spotlight and express my views, although television was clearly not the answer, as I have a face best suited for radio. But unfortunately radio was not the answer either, as my voice tends to go into an awkward squeak from time to time. So here I was finding the only forum where I could sound both suave and sophisticated – blogging!
And so it began and for the past year and a half, I have been blogging about both Israel, the Jewish world, and the hypocrisy of Israel’s many critics across many different forums, including as a guest poster in Israellycool.
I take Israel personally, as many people do and when I read about the constant lies that are spouted about it, I feel it’s my duty to speak up with my words. Because when I write about Israel I don’t just speak about that place on the map, I speak about that place in my heart.
So I look forward to sharing my views along with the many talented contributors at Israellycool.
See you out there!
