Howard Epstein – LETTER FROM ISRAEL: GYMNASTICS AND CONTORTIONS
There cannot be many in Israel – other than within Bnei Brak and the Meah Shearim, perhaps – whose chest did not swell with pride last weekend at the brilliant achievement of Linoy Ashram, who won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in the Rhythmic Gymnastics. There may, however, have been some with a Russian background who felt conflicted. Israel broke the two decades’ long Russian stranglehold on this event, provoking protests from the Russian camp. Of course, that would be the unofficial Russian camp given that, following a massive doping scandal, Russia is banned from participation in any international sporting event, including the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, the Winter Olympics and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
And some wish to treat Israel as an international pariah?
But let’s return for a moment to the startlingly beautiful Linoy – and that’s before she gets into her breath-taking gymnastic routines with ribbons, hoops, balls and clubs. It is worth noting that she is an all-Israeli girl. A Sabra, with Yemini/Greek parentage, having served in the IDF, she is studying Education and Society at the Kiryat Ono Academic College. Aged only 22, she already has one manoeuvre named after her – the Ashram. Known as the “Face of Israel”, she is renowned for her powerful jumps and high leaps. Reportedly, unlike most rhythmic gymnasts, she executes her back spiral variations in a reverse direction. Quite something, huh?
Of course, Israel took another gold at these Olympics. The Ukrainian-born Israeli gymnast, Artem Dolgopyat, beat off all competition on the floor exercise in the artistic gymnastics competition. A source of pride to most Israelis, Jewish and Israeli enough to have served in the IDF and to represent his country in international competitions, what could possibly go wrong for this all-round Israeli hero? Well, there is no way he has been able to marry his girlfriend, Maria “Masha” Sakovich, these past three years. Here, in Israel, only one route leads to the chuppah and it perforce passes through the Chief Rabbinate, who recognise as Jewish only those with Jewish mothers. His is not.
Dolgopyat himself has made no public comment, but he does not suffer silently alone. A survey recently carried out by the Hiddush Association for Religious Freedom and Equality disclosed that 65% of the Israeli public supports the introduction of civil marriage in Israel. Indeed, the same conclusion was attributed to 90% of secular couples and 79% of the non-religious traditional couples surveyed. Further, there is no question that the new government wishes to tackle this issue. The battle-lines are being drawn and a war of attrition lies ahead.
Meanwhile, where the coronavirus is concerned, it’s business as usual, for it continues to dominate the media, with reports of testing, analyses, speculation and conspiracy theories competing for space. So, just like the UK really. No one appears any the wiser as to whether we shall have to live with it forever, or it will finally wane and disappear as quickly as it arrived last year. The Jerusalem Post reported that Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz opined: “It is too early to say” whether the country will be locked down for the duration of the chagim, to be celebrated throughout September. So good to be kept so well informed!
To be fair though, a comprehensive programme of testing and vaccinating schoolchildren has been announced. When completed, Israeli kids, including, since you are wondering, those in the ultra-orthodox and the Arab communities, will be as well-protected and as intensely studied as any in the world. The Bennet/Lapid government continues to impress.
In other news, Bahrain’s Undersecretary for International Relations at the Foreign Ministry, Dr Shaikh Abdulla bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, arrived here for a four-day trip aimed at deepening relations between the two countries. At the same time, we read that trade with the UAE will exceed US$1 billion in 2021, and it is expected to treble over the next three years. No wonder the Shekel, which has been one of the world’s strongest currency for the past decade, is likely only to strengthen in the future.
Meanwhile, seemingly in a parallel universe, the Iranians were seen hosting Hamas and Hezbollah representatives. They were told to prepare for the “collapse” of Israel. Perhaps, being desperately short of water they were confused. Much closer to collapse are Lebanon, Syria (again, with internecine fighting close to the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights) and Iran itself. No water, no future. But, apparently, plenty of whistling past the cemetery.
© August 2021 – Howard Epstein
