Jewish officials, academics enthusiastic about independent Kurdistan

NEW YORK, United States (Kurdistan24) – Jewish officials, academics, and artists shared their support for Kurdish independence during the fifth annual Jerusalem Post Conference on May 22, 2016, where nearly 1,500 people attended.

Kurdistan24 interviewed several attendees who discussed the relationship between Kurdistan and Israel as well as Kurds’ continued struggle for independence.

Dr. Anat Berke, a Knesset member of Iraqi-Jewish origin, shared her admiration for Kurds and said that she feels very “close” to them.

“I think that the big fight on the front lines…with [IS] and other enemies in the Middle East, it’s something that the World and the Western World should admire,” Berke told Kurdistan24.

John Stembridge, a former Miami mayor, said that he was “encouraged” about Kurdish independence and was hopeful about a future Kurdistan-Israel relationship.

“It’s so important [for] the forces to come together to bring peace and stability and acceptance in the Middle East and to end terror and end abuse and bring equal justice,” he stated.

Caroline Glick of the Jerusalem Post also addressed the Kurdish-Jewish relationship and explained that Kurds are considered “comrades” in Israel.

“We appreciate so much our Kurdish friends and allies we view [them] as such and…we look forward to really cooperating with the Kurds throughout the region in the years to come,” Glick stated.

“I think that they’re a force against tyranny, the same tyranny that seeks the annihilation of Israel,” she added.

David Ben Hooren, the publisher of the Jewish Voice in New York, expressed his support for an independent Kurdistan.

“We are waiting for the day for Kurdistan to declare independence…I know that the Jewish community in America is waiting for it, they’re going to support them,” he concluded.

(Kurdistan24 team in New York conducted the interview)