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Dr. Fundji Benedict

@Fundji3

Sep 4

A complex identity that knows no boundaries is in my view a blessing and a strength. Not only am I a proud Ethiopian #Jew. I am also something else: a "Boerejode"..a JEWISH #AFRIKANER . And there's an urgent need to research on the community before it fades away.

@LVSFoundation needs you -
🎯📢 CALL TO ACTION - RESEARCH FUNDING NEEDED:
If you know elderly Jews who speak/spoke Afrikaans natively, their stories are historically invaluable.
This is an emergency documentation project. Every conversation recorded could preserve a piece of this lost world. 🎙️✨

Let me explain

🧵 THE FORGOTTEN STORY OF JEWISH AFRIKANERS A Lost Identity at the Crossroads of History
THREAD 25/25 🇿🇦✡️

Jewish Afrikaners – the "Boerejode" blended Jewish roots with Afrikaner culture in South Africa! 🕍🇿🇦 This forgotten community challenges apartheid myths & identity norms. Dive into their story with me. #JewishHistory #SouthAfrica

1/25 🇿🇦✡️ BOEREJODE

Did you know there was once a community of native Afrikaans-speaking Jews in South Africa who called themselves "Boerejode" (Farmer Jews)? This is the untold story of a forgotten intersection that challenges everything we think we know about identity, belonging, and the complexity of South African history.

Let me take you on a journey into this lost world... 🧵👇

Unlike their Anglo-German coreligionists, the Eastern European Jews were not secularly well educated. They spoke Yiddish and later heavily accented English and Afrikaans, dressed differently and were altogether more orthodox in their religious practices. Most (around 90%) settled in the cities, but a fair number chose to start their new lives in the dorpies, small villages in farming areas or towns along the transport routes, where they had family, kinsmen or landsman, people from the same village or town back home in Lithuania. Here they would feel comfortable, as the small villages were much like those back home. Some remained in the rural areas while others flocked to the cities, particularly after World War II.

The Lithuanian tradesmen – such as tailors, carpenters and glaziers - could immediately find work in the mining areas, but by far the majority had to learn new skills, often allied to their traditional role as traders back home. They often learnt their new business skills from their first employer, and many began life in South Africa as smouse (peddlers) before moving on to become traders, general dealers, shopkeepers and businessman. As in Eastern Europe, they became the intermediaries between the new markets of the towns and growing cities, and the producers, both black and white. In fact, they were instrumental in the significant economic change that took place in the rural areas of the country in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, providing producers with access to the markets on the one hand, and, offering a wide array of goods to the emerging country consumer on the other.

Picture below: 1)Early 1900s photograph showing a rural South African community, illustrating the communal life of Jewish Afrikaners and their cultural integration; 2)Smous Mr Hurwitz selling to farmers in Caledon, circa. 1890s

2/25 🏛️📚 EASTERN EUROPEAN JEWS - SA

This isn't just another historical footnote. Between 1880-1930, thousands of Eastern European Jews settled not in the English-speaking cities we associate with Jewish South Africa, but in rural, Afrikaans-speaking farming communities across the platteland (countryside).

They became something unprecedented: culturally Afrikaans, religiously Jewish. 🌾✡️

Picture below:Vintage 1930s map showing South Africa and neighboring territories with provincial and rural delineations relevant to early 20th-century settlement patterns

Read 15 tweets

Dr. Fundji Benedict

@Fundji3

Sep 2

I am so proud of my ethnicity, being a Jewish Afrikaner/Ethiopian (with French and Brazilian roots too). Many of my followers have asked me to tell the story of Ethiopian jews and of Jewish Afrikaners.

Let's uncover the incredible story of Beta Israel, the ancient Jewish community of #Ethiopia! Their journey is a powerful saga of faith, survival against all odds, and a miraculous return home. #EthiopianJews #BetaIsrael #JewishHistory
Here's a thread 🧵 1,600 Years of Ethiopian Jewish Persecution & Heroic Rescue 🇪🇹✡️

1/35 🏛️ ANCIENT ORIGINS: The Lost Kingdom
For over 2000 years, Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) have lived in the highlands of Ethiopia 🏔️. Before Christianity became official in the 4th century, HALF of Ethiopia's population was Jewish according to tradition! They called themselves "Beta Israel" - House of Israel
Beta Israel, the Jews of Ethiopia, guarded their Torah-centered faith for millennia in Gondar’s northern highlands—cities like Gondar, Wolleka, Ambober & Teda became spiritual strongholds. The community lived in mountain villages with terraced fields, tukul (ጡቁል) huts, and ancient synagogues called masgid (ማስጊድ).

2/35 📜 UNIQUE JEWISH TRADITION: No Talmud, Only Torah | በተለየ የአይነት ይሁዳዊነት
Ethiopian Jews are Biblical, pre-Rabbinic Jews who never received the Talmud (Oral Law) 📚. They only had the Written Torah in Ge'ez script, not Hebrew! Their leaders were priests (kohanim), not rabbis, and they knew nothing of post-Biblical holidays like Chanukah or Purim 🕯️

Beta Israel follows a pre-rabbinic Torah (Orit), led by priests (Qes), speaking Ge’ez, not Hebrew. No knowledge of the Talmud; holidays like Sigd (ሰግድ)—renewal and longing for Zion—are central. Sigd is now a national festival in Israel, marked by prayer in Jerusalem
Picture below: Ancient Ethiopian Jewish manuscript written in Ge'ez script with decorative elements, representing one of the oldest Ethiopian Jewish scriptures.; Sigd celebrated in Israel every year

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Dr. Fundji Benedict

@Fundji3

Aug 29

🚨 COMPREHENSIVE EXPOSÉ: Qatar's $300B "Flying Carpet" Empire - How a Tiny Nation Became Terror's Banker & Africa's New Colonial Master funding Global Chaos
🧵 DETAILED THREAD: Qatar's Terror Empire - How a Tiny Gulf State Became the World's Most Dangerous Financier. RT to expose the most dangerous country you've never heard enough about! 👇

#QatarExposed #TerrorFinancing #Somalia #Ethiopia #GlobalSecurity #InformationWarfare #SaveDemocracy

THE TERROR FINANCE EMPIRE - DOCUMENTED AMOUNTS
Here are the SHOCKING figures of Qatar's systematic terrorism funding:
🎯 Hamas (Gaza): >$1.8 billion (2007-2024)
Monthly transfers: $30M (2018-2021)
Funded tunnels, weapons & Oct 7 massacre
🎯 Al-Shabaab (Somalia): ≈$50 million (2010s)
🎯 AQIM & ISGS (Sahel): ≈$20M combined
🎯 Libyan Dawn: $15M in weapons (2014)

1/50🎪 "FLYING CARPET DIPLOMACY" - THE ACADEMIC THEORY BEHIND QATAR'S DECEPTION

In international relations literature, scholars like Jean-François Fiorina coined "Flying Carpet Diplomacy" to describe Qatar's sophisticated dual-track strategy. This isn't mere metaphor - it's a calculated system where Doha maintains official diplomatic relations with Western powers while secretly financing non-state terrorist actors. This isn't accidental - it's strategic genius that lets Doha punch above its weight! 🪄✈️

Why "Flying Carpet"? Like Aladdin's magical carpet, Qatar appears to float above international law, moving freely between legitimate diplomacy and illicit terror financing without consequences. This strategy allows a nation of just 300,000 citizens to exercise disproportionate global influence through shadow networks.

_________________________________
2/50 📚 THE ACADEMIC FOUNDATION - EXPERT VOICES

Leading scholars have documented this phenomenon:

- Dr. Mehran Kamrava (Georgetown Doha): "Rentier state theory explains Qatar's ability to pursue geopolitical goals without democratic constraints"
- Matthew Levitt (Washington Institute): "Qatar represents the most sophisticated terror financing network in modern history"
- Dr. Richard Mitchell: Author of "Society of Muslim Brothers" - traces Qatar's ideological financing

This isn't conspiracy theory - it's peer-reviewed academic analysis! 📖

________________________________
3/50 💰 THE TERROR FINANCE EMPIRE - DOCUMENTED SYSTEMATIC FUNDING

Here's the COMPLETE breakdown of Qatar's documented terrorism investments:

🎯 HAMAS (GAZA STRIP)

Total: >$1.8 billion (2007-2024)

Monthly transfers: $30M (2018-2021)
Mechanism: Direct bank transfers via Doha banks to Gaza
Purpose: Tunnel construction, weapons manufacturing, military training
Oct 7 Connection: Israeli intelligence confirms Qatari funds directly enabled massacre

Picture below: Armed forces inspecting a large tunnel excavation site associated with Hamas' underground infrastructure in Gaza (Reuters)

4/50 🌍 AL-SHABAAB (SOMALIA) - THE HORN OF AFRICA TERROR HUB

The Somalia Connection is DEEPER than you think:

💥 Al-Shabaab Funding Details:

- Confirmed Amount: $50+ million (2010-2020)
- Mechanism: Hawala networks through Somali diaspora in Qatar
- Key Facilitators: Qatari-based Somali businessmen with IRGC connections
- Operations Funded: Westgate Mall attack (Kenya), Garissa University massacre
- Recent Intelligence (2025): US Treasury designated 15 Al-Shabaab leaders with direct Qatari financial connections. The terror group forces Somali farmers to "donate" livestock, which are then sold through Qatari-funded networks!

________________________________________
5/50 🇸🇴 SOMALIA - QATAR'S STRATEGIC TERROR INVESTMENT

Why Somalia matters to Qatar's strategy:

1. 🗺️ Geopolitical Significance:
Controls shipping lanes to Suez Canal
Strategic position in Horn of Africa
Weak government = easy manipulation
China-Qatar-Iran triangular cooperation in the region

2. The Funding Network:
- Qatari charity organizations collect "humanitarian" donations
- Hawala system transfers funds to Somalia
- Al-Shabaab tax collection creates sustainable revenue
- Livestock trade provides money laundering mechanism
This creates a self-sustaining terror economy! 💸

_______________________________________________
6/50 🔥 THE MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD - $7.5 BILLION IDEOLOGICAL PROJECT

Timeline of Qatar's MB Investment:
📅 The Historical Progression:

1999: MB officially "disbanded" in Qatar (cosmetic move)
2006: Al-Jazeera becomes global MB platform under Yusuf al-Qaradawi
2007-2014: Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim era - MASSIVE funding explosion
2011-2012: Arab Spring exploitation for MB advancement
2012-2014: Egypt support under Morsi - $7.5B in loans/investments
2017: Forced to expel some leaders during Saudi blockade
Present: Continued informal support through European networks

Read 16 tweets

Dr. Fundji Benedict

@Fundji3

Aug 25

🚨 EXPLOSIVE EXPOSÉ: The Sinister Hamas Europe Network Operating Under Our Noses for 30 YEARS 🧵35/35

SHOCKING investigation into Europe's most dangerous terror network, mastermind operatives, and today's chilling Brussels stabbing that proves the threat is NOW at our doorstep ⚡

The Israel-Hamas conflict isn’t just fought in Gaza—it has a shadow front in Europe. Hamas Europe is a sophisticated, decades-old network operating from major capitals. With European nations now considering taking in Gazans, the stakes are higher than ever. Violence has even erupted among refugees in Brussels. Let’s unravel this web—its history, leaders, operations, and what it means for European security.

The plan was brilliant in its simplicity: embed within civil society, operate through charities and NGOs, and slowly influence European policy from within. Three decades later, this network has become one of the most sophisticated influence operations in modern history.

#HamasEurope #ZaherBirawi #EuropeanSecurity #Terrorism #Gaza #Brussels #GretaThunberg #Flotilla #CounterTerrorism #Iran #NationalSecurity #Hamas

1/35 🎯 THE AWAKENING: While European authorities slumbered, Hamas systematically constructed the continent's most sophisticated terror infrastructure. Today's Brussels stabbing - a Gazan murdered by Hamas supporters for criticizing the terror group - exposes a network that will SHATTER your perception of European security 🇪🇺💀

Picture below: Police use water cannons to disperse pro-Palestine protesters during a demonstration in Brussels amidst tense unrest

2/35 🔍 MEET THE MASTERMIND: Zaher Birawi - the Palestinian operative who transformed from Leeds mosque spokesman into Europe's most dangerous Hamas facilitator.

Born 1961 in Asira al-Shemaliyah, this man orchestrated Hamas operations across European capitals while authorities remained CRIMINALLY OBLIVIOUS 🎭⚠️

Birawi chairs the Palestinian Return Centre (PRC), runs EuroPal Forum, is Al-Hiwar TV media coordinator, and organizes the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. He’s not just an activist; intelligence agencies and watchdogs label him a Hamas operative with direct ties to Gaza’s leadership.

64-year-old Birawi has spent over 30 years building Hamas's European empire from his London base. His resume reads like a terror networking masterclass:
What makes Birawi dangerous isn't just his connections - it's his ability to hide in plain sight, presenting as a "human rights activist" while coordinating terror operations across continents.

Read 22 tweets

Dr. Fundji Benedict

@Fundji3

Aug 22

🚨The Shahed Ghoreishi Case🚨

The U.S. State Department has fired Shahed Ghoreishi, an Iranian-American press officer who spent 7 months undermining pro-Israel messaging from inside the Trump administration. From deleting "Judea & Samaria" to pushing Hamas-friendly language, his actions directly contradicted U.S.-Israel security interests.

This thread exposes his full profile, NIAC ties, anti-Trump writings, and the vetting failures that allowed a pro-Iran operative to shape American foreign policy for 214 days.

A thread🧵25/25

1/25 🚨 FIRING DECISION — Pro-Israel Discipline Restored

Date: August 19, 2025

Position: Senior press officer/contractor, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs

Authority: State Department leadership under Secretary Marco Rubio

Reason: Documented pattern of edits undercutting official pro-Israel talking points

Status: Contract terminated without explanation (not required for contractors)

Impact: Immediate removal from all messaging responsibilities

The Shahed Ghoreishi case represents a decisive moment in the fight against Iranian influence operations within the U.S. government. His 7-month sabotage campaign—from erasing "Judea & Samaria" to legitimizing Hamas operatives—demonstrates the sophistication of Tehran's strategy to undermine the U.S.-Israel alliance from within. His termination sends an unmistakable message: the Trump administration will not tolerate ideological subversion of American foreign policy, especially regarding our most vital Middle Eastern ally.

2/25 🧭 POLICY FLASHPOINT #1 — Erasing "Judea & Samaria"

Incident: Draft response praising House Speaker Mike Johnson's visit
Original Language: "Judea and Samaria" (prepared by U.S. Embassy Jerusalem)

Ghoreishi's Edit: Changed to "West Bank" before release
Policy Significance: Biblical terms reflect Israel's historic claims and Trump admin preference
Complainant: David Milstein, senior adviser to Ambassador Mike Huckabee
Outcome: Language dispute became formal complaint triggering investigation

Read 25 tweets

Dr. Fundji Benedict

@Fundji3

Aug 20

🚨 BREAKING: The #SouthAfrica's MTN Group under US Criminal Investigation

We're witnessing what could be the most significant corporate terrorism financing case in history. South Africa's MTN Group—Africa's largest telecommunications company—faces a US Department of Justice criminal investigation that could redefine corporate accountability forever. This isn't just another business scandal. This case combines 20 years of alleged terrorist financing, billions in revenue flows to America's enemies, and legal precedents that will reshape how multinational corporations operate in conflict zones.
Here's why this matters to everyone, and why the implications extend far beyond one company's actions.
Buckle up!

#MTN #CorporateAccountability #Terrorism #DOJ #Taliban #IRGC #BusinessEthics #NationalSecurity #Justice #CorporateResponsibility

1/18 🏢 THE BOMBSHELL INVESTIGATION: When Telecoms Meet Terrorism

South Africa's MTN Group—controlling 280 million subscribers across Africa and the Middle East—stands accused of the unthinkable: systematically funding terrorist organizations through routine business operations. The US Department of Justice has opened a criminal investigation into allegations that MTN paid millions to Taliban militants in Afghanistan while funneling billions through its Iranian joint venture to entities controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). This isn't corporate negligence—it's alleged structural complicity in terrorism that spans two decades and two of America's most dangerous adversaries. The investigation represents the Department of Justice's most ambitious extraterritorial prosecution of corporate terrorism financing to date.

2/18 💰 THE AFGHANISTAN BETRAYAL: Protection Money That Killed Americans

For 15 devastating years (2006-2021), MTN allegedly transformed Afghanistan's telecommunications infrastructure into a funding mechanism for Taliban operations. The company's "protection payments"—reportedly totaling millions of dollars—weren't just business expenses. According to families of US service members, contractors, and Afghan civilians, these payments directly funded the weapons, explosives, and operations that killed their loved ones. The moral mathematics are stark: every dollar MTN allegedly paid to keep its towers operational potentially bought bullets that targeted American forces. The Taliban used this steady revenue stream to expand territorial control, purchase advanced weaponry, and maintain the insurgency that ultimately reclaimed Afghanistan. This case forces an uncomfortable question: How many American deaths were subsidized by corporate profits?

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