In 2023, following the October 7 attacks, the Palestinian movement began asserting that Jesus was Palestinian. This claim is part of a broader effort to erase Jewish religion, identity, and history.
How did we get here?
Roman Empire
Jesus was a Jewish rabbi, crucified by the Roman Empire, born in Judea—a land with over 1,000 years of Jewish history before falling under Roman rule. Jesus and his followers called their movement "The Way" and believed him to be the Messiah. Christianity became an official religion 300 years after his death.
The Roman Empire brutally suppressed the Jewish people, looted the Temple (as depicted on the Arch of Titus), and renamed the region "Syria Palestina" to erase its Jewish identity.
Christianity
As Christianity shifted from Jerusalem to Rome, anti-Jewish ideology grew, often erasing its Jewish origins. In 1543, Martin Luther wrote *"On the Jews and Their Lies,"* advocating for the expulsion of Jews. This text heavily influenced Christian antisemitism and later Nazi ideology.
Islam
Islam, founded by Muhammad in Arabia about 600 years after Jesus' death, envisioned a global Islamic empire, mandating conversion or death for non-Muslims. In 627 CE, the first massacre of Jews by Muslims occurred in Medina. This ideological framework has perpetuated hostility toward Jews, Christians, Hindus and other non-Muslim groups.
Nazi Era
During WWII, Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, actively collaborated with the Nazi regime, broadcasting anti-Jewish propaganda to the Arab world. After the war, Swiss banker François Genoud, that established the "Arabia" bank in geneve to finance Nazi-terror collaborations helped Nazi officers flee to Egypt.
Palestine
Husseini and Genoud played pivotal roles in the formation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) in 1964, led by Yasser Arafat. The name "Palestine" references the Roman occupation and its attempt to erase Jewish history. The PLO propagated a false narrative of displacement, framing Jews as colonial occupiers rather than indigenous to the land. This narrative fueled terrorism (e.g., the Intifadas) and garnered international support by portraying Palestinians as victims of Jewish oppression.
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And So, Here We Are
The current attack on Israel, Jewish identity, and historical truths is an ancient tool of imperialism. This tactic isn't unique to Jews—it is targeting Hindus, Iranians, Kurds, non-radical Muslims, and countless indigenous peoples.
how can you help?
just remind everyone around you that #JesusWasJewish
Genesis
1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.
2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
4 And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.
5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
6 And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.
7 And God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so.
8 And God called the firmament Heaven. And the evening and the morning were the second day.
9 And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so.
10 And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.
11 And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so.
12 And the earth brought forth grass, and herb yielding seed after his kind, and the tree yielding fruit, whose seed was in itself, after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
13 And the evening and the morning were the third day.
14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:
15 And let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth: and it was so.
16 And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.
17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth,
18 And to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness: and God saw that it was good.
19 And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.
20 And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
22 And God blessed them, saying, Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let fowl multiply in the earth.
23 And the evening and the morning were the fifth day.
24 And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so.
25 And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
28 And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.
29 And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.
30 And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so.
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Before the Law by Franz Kafka
A man from the country comes to the city and approaches a gate that leads to the Law. He asks the doorkeeper if he can enter. The doorkeeper replies that he cannot enter at that moment but may do so later. The man sits down in front of the gate and waits.
The doorkeeper, however, keeps watch and denies him entry whenever the man tries to approach. Over time, the man grows tired and tries to bribe the doorkeeper with his possessions, but the doorkeeper refuses to let him through. The man spends his entire life waiting for the opportunity to enter, but it never comes.
As he grows old and weak, the man asks the doorkeeper why no one else has ever attempted to pass through the gate. The doorkeeper explains that this gate was meant only for the man and that no one else has been allowed to enter.
At the end of his life, the man says, “I have wasted my life.” And with that, he dies, staring at the gate. The doorkeeper, seeing this, declares that the gate will now be closed forever.
Before the Law by Franz Kafka, modified by Yifat Gat
A little girl from the country comes to the city and approaches a gate that leads to the Law. She asks the doorkeeper if she can enter. The doorkeeper replies that she cannot enter at that moment but may do so later. The little girl sits down in front of the gate and waits.
The doorkeeper, however, keeps watch and denies her entry whenever she tries to approach. Days turn to weeks, and weeks turn to months. The little girl grows tired, but she remains patient, and with time, she brings him small gifts, toys, and trinkets, hoping for a chance to pass. The doorkeeper refuses every time.
As she grows older, the girl becomes wiser, but the doorkeeper’s refusal never changes. One day, she asks him why no one else has tried to pass through the gate. The doorkeeper explains that this gate is meant only for her and that no one else has been allowed to enter.
Years pass, and now a young woman, the girl’s determination remains. She knows what the gate promises, but the doorkeeper’s word is unyielding. The girl stands up, looks at him, and without another word, she steps toward the gate. The doorkeeper raises his hand to stop her, but she pushes past him, entering the gate.
She smiles as she steps through. The moment she crosses, she feels the heavy weight of the years of waiting lift from her shoulders. On the other side, there is peace, joy, and clarity.
She is home.
The Maison du Cygne-Art Center.
Owned by Romain Boyer, the Maison du Cygne was built in the 20th century and is now part of the city's historical heritage. It is also listed among the departmental sites to be preserved. Damaged and degraded for too many years, this magnificent residence surrounded by a well and a washhouse, in the middle of the Coudoulière woods planted with pines and oaks, is now an art center recognized and labeled by the Cultural Affairs of the General Council of Var.
Several months of rehabilitation have allowed the building to preserve its authenticity, because it was essential to revalue this historic place on an authentic site. The work carried out has respected the original character of the construction. With its architecture typical of the beginning of the last century (stone walls and frames, glazed brick frames and chains, tiled roof), the Maison du Cygne is the work of a generation of artisans who learned their trade alongside master masons and master potters.
Since 2001, the city of Six-Fours has been involved in a major initiative to promote and disseminate the visual arts, in all their forms and variations. The Maison du Cygne, La Maison du Patrimoine, and La Batterie du Cap Nègre make up the Visual Arts Center of the city of Six-Fours-Les-Plages. Together with the Espace Jules de Greling, these four sites dedicated to art in general offer exhibitions that highlight different art movements as well as popular arts and traditions.
The Maison du Cygne-Art Center.
This exhibition space has become a reference for contemporary art, at the departmental, regional and national levels. This is evidenced by the various journalistic coverage and the number of French and foreign visual artists who have chosen to present their work in these places.
Gilles Altieri, painter and curator
Born in 1944, lives and works in Toulon
Gilles Altieri develops a generous gestural abstraction on canvas or paper that favors the dialogue of color and black in the freedom of gesture, to achieve energetic and sensitive compositions. He was the charismatic director of the Hôtel des Arts in Toulon.
Last Guided Visit: Swan House Exhibition
Last Guided Visit: Swan House Exhibition
Join me for the final guided tour of my exhibition at the enchanting Swan House. Let’s dive into the stories, inspiration, and artistry behind the works on display.
📍 Where:
Swan House, 209, Coudoulière road,
83140 Six-Fours-les-Plages,
04 94 10 49 90 / 04 94 10 80 20
📅 When: Sunday 22 Decembre, Starting at 14:30pm
This is the perfect chance to explore the art, ask questions, and share the experience.
I’d love to see you there!
More about this Exhibition
https://www.gatyifat.com/#/six-four/
More about the Curator Gilles Altieri
https://www.gatyifat.com/lookelistengmailcom/2024/12/18/gilles-altieri-painter-and-curator
More about the Venue Maison du Cygne
https://www.gatyifat.com/lookelistengmailcom/2024/12/18/the-maison-du-cygne-art-center
Jean Cocteau: A True Original
Jean Cocteau was one of those rare artists who seemed to do it all—poetry, theater, film, design, and more. Born in 1889 in Maisons-Laffitte, France, he was a creative powerhouse who left his mark on surrealism, Dadaism, and the avant-garde.
Early Life
Cocteau’s childhood wasn’t easy. His father died by suicide when he was just nine, and that loss shaped his early years. By 19, though, he’d published his first poetry book, The Lamp of Aladdin, showing the world his love of myths and dreams—themes he explored for the rest of his life.
Collaborations and Creativity
Cocteau didn’t stick to one art form. He worked with legends like Pablo Picasso and Igor Stravinsky to create groundbreaking pieces, like the 1917 ballet Parade, which mixed cubist design with surrealist flair. His stories, plays, and art broke boundaries and brought ancient myths into modern life.
His 1929 novel The Holy Terrors dove into the complex bond between siblings, while his plays, like Orpheus and The Infernal Machine, gave old myths new twists.
Making Magic in Film
Film was another area where Cocteau shined. His 1930 movie The Blood of a Poet was a surreal masterpiece, and his trilogy—Orpheus and The Testament of Orpheus followed later—tackled big ideas like art, memory, and death.
His 1946 film Beauty and the Beast is a classic. Starring Jean Marais and Josette Day, it turned the fairy tale into a visual poem with stunning effects and unforgettable imagery.
A Bold Life
Cocteau didn’t just push artistic limits; he challenged social ones too. Openly gay, he formed close friendships with icons like Marcel Proust and Edith Piaf. His art also included murals and whimsical drawings, like the frescoes at Chapelle Saint-Pierre in Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Why He Still Matters
Jean Cocteau died in 1963, but his influence is everywhere. His fearless imagination and ability to cross artistic boundaries make him a lasting inspiration. As someone once said, "If anyone was a Renaissance man in the 20th century, it was Cocteau."
Bastion
Jean Cocteau, The Bstion, Manton
Jean Cocteau Museum
Salle des Mariages
Menton features three key sites dedicated to the work of Jean Cocteau:
Jean Cocteau Museum – Bastion: A 17th-century fort that Cocteau transformed into a museum. Opened in 1966, it showcases his mosaics, drawings, and other works, and hosts temporary exhibitions.
Jean Cocteau Museum – Séverin Wunderman Collection: Once housing an extensive collection of Cocteau's art, this venue has been closed since 2018 due to earthquake damage.
Salle des Mariages: A ceremonial room in Menton’s Town Hall, entirely decorated by Cocteau in 1957 with murals and unique designs.
These locations emphasize Menton’s strong connection to Cocteau's legacy. Let me know if you'd like more details about any of these venues.
From Van Gogh to Cocteau: Artistic Destinations in the South of France
This list is a work in progress. I decided to share it even though it's not complete because I love all these places and I cant wait. Living in the South of France, between italy and Spain, has profoundly changed my taste in art. This is a list of magnificent places, and I highly recommend all of them. Let yourself be mesmerized as scenes you know from art books come to life before your eyes.
Menton
Menton features three key sites dedicated to the work of Jean Cocteau:
Jean Cocteau Museum – Bastion: A 17th-century fort that Cocteau transformed into a museum. Opened in 1966, it showcases his mosaics, drawings, and other works, and hosts temporary exhibitions.
Séverin Wunderman Collection: Once housing an extensive collection of Cocteau's art, this venue has been closed since 2018 due to earthquake damage.
Salle des Mariages: A ceremonial room in Menton’s Town Hall, entirely decorated by Cocteau in 1957 with murals and unique designs.
These locations emphasize Menton’s strong connection to Cocteau's legacy. Let me know if you'd like more details about any of these venues.
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
4. Cabanon de Le Corbusier
A modernist architectural masterpiece designed by Le Corbusier.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
5. Le Jardin de la Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild – Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
A stunning garden that has been the subject of many artistic depictions.
Nice
Musée Matisse
A museum dedicated to the works of Henri Matisse, located in the artist's home city.Musée du Vieux Nice
Depicts the region’s art, culture, and history
Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain
A museum housing works from the 20th century onward, including pieces by Yves Klein and Niki de Saint Phalle.Musée Marc Chagall
Dedicated to the works of Marc Chagall, featuring paintings, stained glass, and tapestries.Musée Matisse
This museum displays a significant collection of Matisse’s works, including paintings, drawings, and sculptures.The Promenade des Anglais
A famous promenade that has inspired many artists over the years, especially during the 19th and 20th centuries.Vence
Matisse’s Private Chapel –
A chapel designed by Matisse, showcasing his work in stained glass and interior design.Saint-Paul de Vence
Fondation Maeght
A major collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by Miró, Chagall, and Giacometti.Cagnes-sur-Mer
The House of Matisse
The house where Matisse lived and worked, showcasing some of his most personal works.Antibes
Fondation Hartung-Bergman
Dedicated to the works of Hans Hartung and Anna-Eva Bergman, this museum is set in the couple’s former residence.Musée Picasso
A museum in Picasso's former studio, showcasing his works from various periods.Antibes Old Town
A beautiful location with deep artistic ties, including Picasso’s work.
Vallauris
Picasso’s Former Studio
The studio where Picasso worked and created his famous ceramic pieces.Cannes
Le Suquet
The historic district that has been a subject of inspiration for many artists.Mougins
Musée de la Photographie
A museum dedicated to photography, located in the charming village of Mougins.Grasse
Grasse Perfume Museum
A museum celebrating the art of perfume, showcasing its link with art and craftsmanship.Musée Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Celebrates the work of the Rococo painter Fragonard.
Saint-Tropez
Musée de l'Annonciade
A museum dedicated to modern and contemporary art, especially fauvism.Musée de l'Annonciade
A museum showcasing 20th-century art, especially fauvism.
Place des Lices
A lively square surrounded by art galleries.
Hyères
Villa Noailles
A modernist villa hosting contemporary art exhibitions and architecture.Toulon
Musée des Beaux-Arts
An excellent collection of Provençal art.
Six four les plages
Cassis
Château de Cassis
A site often depicted by artists, with breathtaking views and historical importance.Marseille
Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée (MuCEM)
A museum that brings together contemporary art and Mediterranean cultures.Musée des Beaux-Arts
A museum showcasing a rich collection of classical and modern art.Musée d'Art Contemporain
A museum featuring contemporary artworks, with a focus on local and international artists.Musée d'Histoire Naturelle
A museum dedicated to natural history, often featuring artistic representations of nature.Musée de la Vieille Charité
A former almshouse now housing a collection of art and archeologyAix-en-Provence
Musée Granet
Features a vast collection of paintings, including works by Cézanne, who was from Aix.The Cézanne Trail
A self-guided tour of sites important in Cézanne’s life and work.The Cézanne Studio
The artist's former studio, where he created some of his most famous works.The Victor Vasarely Foundation
A museum dedicated to the works of the Op Art pioneer, Victor Vasarely.Le Jardin de la Fondation Vasarely
Dedicated to Op Art, it is home to vibrant geometric art.
Roussillon
The Red Rocks of Roussillon
Vibrant red cliffs that have inspired countless artists, particularly for their bold colors.L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue
The Sorgue River and its Art Galleries
Known as the Venice of Provence, this village is filled with antique and art galleries.Avignon
Musée Calvet
An art museum with a mix of classical and contemporary works, housed in a historic mansion.Palais des Papes
A massive Gothic palace that houses historical art collections and exhibitions.Pont Saint-Bénézet
The historic bridge made famous by the song "Sur le Pont d’Avignon."Saint-Rémy-de-Provence
Van Gogh’s Olive Trees
The landscape that inspired Van Gogh's famous series of olive tree paintings.Les Baux-de-Provence
Carrières de Lumières
An immersive art experience projecting famous artworks onto the walls of a former quarry.The Baux-de-Provence
Known for its stunning medieval architecture, inspiring countless artists.Arles
LUMA Foundation
A contemporary art space housed in an iconic building designed by Frank Gehry.Musée Arlaten
An ethnographic museum focused on the traditions and culture of Provence.Espace Van Gogh
A historic site where Van Gogh was treated and created many of his famous works.Place du Forum
A lively square famous for being featured in Van Gogh’s paintings.Espace Van Gogh
Van Gogh’s former residence and mental hospital, where many of his iconic works were created.Nîmes
Musée des Beaux-Arts
A museum housing classic works and regional art.Les Arènes de Nîmes
A well-preserved Roman amphitheater often featured in art depicting ancient history.Musée des Beaux-Arts
A museum housing classical art.
montpellier
Muse Fabre
Sete
Strombolly
Haunted by memories of her broken marriage and a fight with her daughter, a woman joins an intense self-help retreat when her vacation goes awry.
Release date: November 3, 2022 (Netherlands)
Director: Michiel van Erp
Distributed by: Netflix
Based on: Stromboli; by Saskia Noort
Music by: Rutger Reinders
The retreat uses Role-playing used as a psychological treatment. It is called psychodrama.
Psychodrama is a therapeutic approach developed by Jacob L. Moreno that involves participants acting out events or scenes from their lives. This method helps individuals explore emotions, gain insight into their behaviors, and work through interpersonal conflicts or traumatic experiences. It often includes techniques like role reversal, mirroring, and future projection to foster self-awareness and emotional healing.
