Pierre Rehov, a nom de guerre is, indeed, a resistance fighter; he resists the Islamist propaganda wars against Israel, the Jews, and the West by making films which document the truth. Many people will forever remember the awful Intifada of 2000, which preceded 9/11 by a year and which still continues to this day, through Rehov’s many films about it.
He is the documentarian of the Al-Aqsa Intifada; the filmmaker who showed us what Jenin was really about (The Road to Jenin), and who the suicide killers really are (Suicide Killers). Early on, in The Silent Exodus, Rehov also documented the story of Arab and North African Jews who were forced to flee their homelands. This is the largest and largely forgotten refugee “narrative” of the Muslim Middle East. It is also a film which Rehov has continued to improve and expand. And, in The Trojan Horse/Holy Land: Christians in Peril, he documents the persecution of Christians in the Islamist Middle East.
But who is Pierre Rehov?
Rehov is a North African (Algerian) Jew: warm, serious, playful, seductive, expressive, sophisticated, secular—and a very active participant in the new Great Game of Barbarism versus Civilization, Big Lies versus the Truth. He is not just an armchair observer. His weapon is his camera which he takes with him into dangerous war zones. He not only went into Gaza and the West Bank under perilous circumstances; most recently, he was embedded in the United States Cavalry in Baghdad and Dura. A new film, Proliferation. Iraq. Why Now? will be out soon.
Phyllis and Pierre in NYC. March 2009
I have known Rehov for five years now and am proud to have championed his documentaries by posting them on my website in 2004 HERE and HERE. At the time, more than 30,000 people viewed two of his films in five weeks. Now, thankfully, his many films are available for sale at his own website, HERE and have been shown in many film festivals. He has also begun to post short video clips on YouTube HERE. Rehov has also been interviewed widely on television both in America and abroad.
Last month, I unexpectedly ran into Pierre at the Hudson Institute luncheon for Geert Wilders. There he was—as warm and as handsome as ever and, as we stood and talked, Israeli author and counter terrorism expert, Anat Berko, suddenly sailed into view—the very person whom I was supposed to see later that day. Anat and Pierre knew each other from their work against terrorism, and so we all laughed about the small world phenomenon, then lingered on over a long cup of coffee.
I asked Pierre how long he would be visiting the States. His answer startled me. He said that he was here to stay, for good, that he was here with his daughter, his girlfriend, and his dog, and that he expects his son to soon join them. Pierre said that he could no longer live in Paris, that the very air there had become poisoned with anti-Israel sentiment, that his pro-Israel activism had led to unending legal and financial problems for himself and for other pro-Israel activists. However, other, more personal reasons, had led to this, his latest and perhaps unending exile. I pressed him. All he would say was:
“Daily life in Paris, France is simply unacceptable. The entire country has been invaded by six to ten million Muslims who do not want to adapt. The French non-Jews are scared, they are happy to sacrifice their Jews and all of Israel if it means they will be safe.”
I asked Pierre to come and see me. The first time he came, I took him along to celebrate Purim at my synagogue and made it a point to introduce him to some other French-speaking people. To my surprise, Pierre said, in a friendly but forceful tone that he “no longer wishes to speak in French.” He insisted on speaking English-only. Since Pierre also publishes novels in French, I could only wonder: What in God’s name could have happened that would have led to his banishing his native language from his own mouth? I asked Pierre to return for a longer interview. Here is a portrait of a Bon Vivant Fighter in Exile. As he says: “I am just a crazy guy who found a way to have fun in (espousing) my cause.”
Pierre Rehov grew up in Algeria where he was seen, not as a fellow Algerian, (his ancestors had lived there for 500 years), but rather as a “hated” Frenchman and Jew. When he was seven or eight years old, Pierre saw eleven of his classmates blown up in a Muslim terrorist attack. He saw more people blown up in a café. And then, Pierre personally witnessed a Muslim pogrom against Jews which was up-close-and-personal. Pierre was spared, some of his relatives were not. He left Algeria in 1961, “together with 250,000 other Jews who were also expelled.” Of course, the French were kicked out too—as were many of the Algerians who had helped the French.
Nougat, Phyllis, and Pierre in NYC. March 2009
Pierre’s family hoped for a better life in France. Alas, they were met with “anti-Algerian (racialized) hatred;” they were also cursed as “dirty Jews.” Therefore, like so many Jews, Rehov became a citizen of the world: Someone whose view transcends the provincial, who does not belong to one nation, but to all nations, a bridge person, a boundary-leaper, a river-crosser: An Ivri, a Hebrew, a man who knows how to get out of town quickly.
A Turning Point
Pierre nevertheless flourished. He became a novelist and a magazine publisher. He married and had children. His business ventures took him everywhere, including to Morocco. In the mid-1990s, Pierre was sharing a very friendly, at-home dinner with a Moroccan, Muslim business client and his wife when the man, albeit under the influence, suddenly began weeping uncontrollably. The man sobbed: “You’re a really nice guy but you’re a Jew and I know that one day I will have to kill you.”
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23 Comments
1. Susan Katz Keating:Great stuff! Thanks for writing about this important man! I linked to you in today’s blog:
Apr 1, 2009 - 7:19 am 2. George Jochnowitz:http://susankatzkeating.blogspot.com/2009/04/phyllis-chesler-independent-thinker-who.html
I hadn’t known that the Karsenty verdict was being appealed. I believe there has been a German documentary about how lip readers said that al-Dura’s father was telling the cameras to move to the side, or something like that. The information has to be publicized (I can’t imagine how it will ever make the Main-Stream Media at this date) in order to protect Karstenty from a reversal of the verdict.
Apr 1, 2009 - 7:23 am 3. Judy, NYC:perhaps he will join with others here who are willing to say the truth about what is happening and the virulent anti-semitism in europe and on our college campuses here. jewish leaders here are court jews and those in congress and in the media, too craven to speak out. that of course, includes our president who is a supplicant of the dirtbag in iran, who is funding the very ones who are threatening to attack the white house. go figure.
Apr 1, 2009 - 7:35 am 4. Melody Caine Bier:Thank you so much for introducing us to this wonderful & courageous man! Unfortunately, I was NOT surprised to hear that he had no backing from the Jewish/Israeli community. As you all may remember my own past experience of 3/21 in San Francisco after the ANSWER rally can attest to that. When will our Jewish communities wake up? I don’t know if Jews have become “too comfortable” and don’t want to rock the boat. Or if it’s a carryover from the shtetl mentality…”shhhush be quiet and maybe they won’t notice us & will go away”. Whatever it is…we must start speaking out and supporting each other, even if that means taking to the streets. We must save our people and our country from rabid anti-Semitism and Islamism.
Apr 1, 2009 - 10:02 am 5. Lynda:Wake up, wake up, Jews of the Diaspora – we must stand together or we shall surely fall.
Apr 1, 2009 - 11:05 am 6. Norman Simms:Dear Phyllis
Thanks for the wonderful information and all the associated links. It’s a pity that such a great French thinker must feel compelled to leave his own country and its language.
We must all do our best to work together and provide a strong, welcoming Diaspora community–not just in America–for men like Pierre Rehov. A community, too, with the proper resources for intellectual and ethical life.
Norman
Apr 1, 2009 - 1:20 pm 7. Pajamas Media » Pierre Rehov: The Lion in Exile:[...] the entire story here [...]
Apr 1, 2009 - 4:40 pm 8. tanstaafl:I remember reading about Rehov when Suicide Killers opened in New York city.(2006)
Eventually a thesis kicks in: Suicide bombing is a spectacular manifestation of sexual repression, enforced by a neurotic clergy on libidinous young men all too eager to sacrifice their loveless existence for the virgin orgies of paradise.— Nathan Lee, The New York Times
Having heard a description of their own motives from the lips of would be suicide killers, this strikes me as acurate.
the fact these people are forcefed a strict and castrating religious dogma that makes them buy the Virgin dream, part and parcel
Apr 1, 2009 - 5:40 pm 9. coisty:“The entire country has been invaded by six to ten million Muslims who do not want to adapt.”
The problem with this statement and the crude anti-French statement proceeding it is that Jewish France overwhelmingly supported this mass immigration, not to mention hate speech laws, and multiculturalism in general.
I’m curious to know if Mr Rehov ever worked with French patriots to end its insane immigration policy over the past five decades?
Apr 1, 2009 - 5:42 pm 10. MiamaMan:Thanks for the great article.
I really want to be positive, and believe in the chances of survival for Israel. However, it does not look very good.
Many evangelical Christian support Israel. India should be a natural ally to Israel, and both countries are getting closer.
The hateful pronouncements of Hitler-the-2nd Admadhinejad (o whatever his name is), and the Iran Ayatollahs (Komeini, Komino, Komehere or whatever) may result in a type of Karmic boomerang, for if you play with fire, you can get burnt, and such inflammatory language usually backfires.
Before it is too late, Israel must force their hands, and Obama’s in the process, first by attacking the Iranian facilities that are trying to produce a nuclear bomb. That mad dog Amadi… will surely retaliate, and probably try to hit Dimona, then Israel MUST NUKE THEM. This is the only language they understand. The blast may finally bring peace and probably prevent another holocaust.
Short of this, it may well be the Jews in Israel may have to start packing again and leave the neighborhood.
Apr 1, 2009 - 6:37 pm 11. Mr Wolf:Pierre is a FANTASTIC storyteller and videographer… I look forward to seeing MANY more stories from him…
Mr Wolf
Apr 1, 2009 - 6:48 pm 12. Jewel:I had my children, then in high school, watch Isräel et la Guerre des Images, and Trojan Horse, and it innoculated them against the propaganda and prepared them for the Jew hatred that followed when they went to college. I think his films must be seen by young people before they go to university.
Apr 2, 2009 - 8:30 am 13. Adina Kutnicki:Along with Tsafrir Ronen, may he rest in peace, Pierre is one of my heroes.
Apr 2, 2009 - 9:44 am 14. Rob Blazer:His efforts should inspire all those who have a conscience to have hope for the future. NOT Obama kind of hope-all style and NO substance-but real substantial hope.
Phyllis, Thank you for this fantastic piece. I met a young Jewish French businessman in Tokyo a few years ago at a Chabad Shabbat dinner. I asked whether he was concerned about anti-Semitism in France. He thought that the Jews, who primarily live away from the Muslim banlieus, were relatively safe. I pressed on about concern for the safety of future generations of Jews in France. He seemed ok with it, but mentioned that his brother was emigrating to Israel. Reminds me of Rehov’s Warsaw Ghetto story.
Apr 2, 2009 - 1:00 pm 15. Laura:While I am not a religious Jew, I choose to attend services at a local Orthodox synagogue because the more religious tend to vote conservative. It is the Reform, assimilated Jews who voted for Obama. Torah-observant Jews see through him and regard him as a threat and a danger…of which is he both.
Apr 2, 2009 - 1:20 pm 16. stan:“The French non-Jews are scared, they are happy to sacrifice their Jews and all of Israel if it means they will be safe.”
Israel is not THEIRS to “sacrifice”. In this case the more appropriate term would be “murder”.
Apr 2, 2009 - 4:08 pm 17. Andy:Well aware of the important and brilliant work Pierre Rehov has been doing, Librarians for Fairness long ago established a link to his website.
Apr 2, 2009 - 7:14 pm 18. David Thomson:Nougat looks particularly dangerous. That doggy will scare any terrorist.
Apr 3, 2009 - 5:40 am 19. Delia:God bless you, Phyllis, for your sweet and strong spirit and telling the truths that need to be told. I truly admire you.
Many of your articles are heart-wrenching and tear worthy and NOT propaganda but the plain and simple RAW truth.
I pray for you often and I thank GOD for your courage and your efforts for women, men and children.
Blessings be with you now and always.
Love,
Delia
Apr 3, 2009 - 7:40 pm 20. BL:This guy is priceless! I agree with a commenter that his works should be shown in high schools and colleges as a preemeptive education to counteract the faux reportage that is occuring in the Muslim world, particulary in the so-called “victim territories” that constantly harrass and threaten Israel.
Ms. Chesler, your prose is vibrant and nuanced. Reading between the lines, I can feel your pain/concern as well as Mr. Rehov’s over his decision to move to America (may we welcome him with open arms). Yet, the fact such a risk taker,(I have seen several of his films, he’s in the trenches) has retreated to our shores is pause for reflection!
Where and When will the push back occur? Our President, let’s not even talk about the Prime Minister that Pierre left behind, does not seem to realize, acknowledge or be aware of “the war of masses” that is occuring in Europe and now, in America as well. Your profile is a wake up call which I fear will remain under the radar!
The best that I can do, is echo your warnings Dr. Chesler and recommend that people view the films of Pierre Rehov. Maybe, just maybe, then, we can start to see the truth!
Apr 4, 2009 - 4:03 pm 21. Max Friedman:The story of Pierre Rehov is an important one, but what is more important, and frightening to Jews around the world,is what the last commenter said: “BL”
“I can feel your pain/concern as well as Mr. Rehov’s over his decision to move to America…Yet the fact such a risk taker has retreated to our shores is pause for reflection!
Reflection? No. Total outrage and an awakening to the second European “judenreit” is what we should be pausing for.
Many Jewish leaders fled Nazi Germany and Austria but most stayed and died (including members of my family).
Look at the Islamitization of Europe today, including the communist/Moslem alliance of violence in Malmo, Sweden (where the police did damned little), and you can see the slow death of ages old Jewish communities there.
The Arab world is largely free of Jews, and Europe is next. Communist countries in Latin America are on their way too – Venezuela, Nicaragua and if there are Jewish communities in Bolivia, Ecuador, and El Salvador, they will be attacked in the future. Cuba speaks for itself, except to liberal Jews who think that Castro and Che are the coolest things next to Ice Cream Sundays.
Meir Kahane lived in the US, then lived in Israel, and was assassinated by a Moslem killer in New York.
Where can Jews go where they are safe? There are only a few countries that might be safe-havens for Jews, and even there, they are not safe.
US – Kahane killing; attacks on Jewish offices and the El Al Airlines in California. Bombings of synagogues; Moslem hate mobs in the streets and on campuses, where violence is rising against Jewish students.
Obama is oblivious to the threat despite his mealymouth speeches. So is Eric Holder, who pardoned communist terrorists who fought against the US right here at home.
Canada – there is a rising Moslem militancy and unless the Canadian Left is soundly defeated, they will continue to gain a foothold in western Canada and Quebec. The communists are their allies in these places.
Australia – got a liberal leader but the people of Australia are gaining awareness of what the militant muslims are up to, and want limitations on immigration.
New Zealand – iffy.
Israel: Surrounded by enemies, soon to be nuclear armed. A good place for a final stand. Just hope that Israel takes out all the main cities/centers of the Arab world before dying.
There are no other places where Jews are safe (Japan might be a refuge for a few), and that is the shame of Western Civilization which is collapsing as I write.
If you didn’t notice Obama’s bowing to the Saudis, you missed the Dhimmi/Dummy bowing to the slavemaster of Africans, the Moslems of Mecca. The Chinese have a term for this Master-Servant relationship – Kaotowing.
Obama is good at at, like Neville Chamberlain was at Munich.
Need I say more? Yes, one more thing. Turn around in the world and ask who can you trust to stand with world Jewry. Then count them off on your two hands, putting one behind you because the count won’t get that high.
Then you know what is really happening.
America, under Obama, will no longer be the safehaven for Jews, and many other ethnic/religious groups, as time goes by.
Appeasers,cowards, and traitors are always ready to sell-out someone in the name of appeasement (Chamberlain), cowardice (the French), or to further the revolution, i.e. the Communists.
We’ve got them all in Europe and a lot in America. Remember, half the country voted for Obama and Biden. Remember how many Germans voted for Hitler and the Nazis.
If history is being repeated, we’d better wake up and start the resistance now, or we will be dhimmis within the next generation, or nuked.
Apr 6, 2009 - 4:31 pm 22. This week’s Wilders Round-Up « Defend Geert Wilders:[...] Chesler Chronicles – Pierre Rehov: The Lion in Exile [...]
Apr 11, 2009 - 3:23 pm 23. Alex Bensky:Next time you speak to Pierre, Dr. Chesler, welcome him to America on my behalf. America, at least, still loves liberty…well, outside of academia most of us do. As I thought when Aysan Ali moved here, it is Europe’s loss and our gain.
I wish I could remember who said this, but it’s such a good remark that I’m hesitant simply to steal it: Europe used to have a minority that was, on the whole, law-abiding, hardworking, and creative. They killed that minority and now they have the minority they deserve.
Miamiman has some good ideas. There are a lot of excellent reasons why the Israeli government doesn’t ask me for advice. If they did I’d suggest they let it be known that if Israel is attacked with nuclear weapons Muslims in the future will have a hard time fulfilling the injunction of making pilgrimages to Mecca when Mecca is a cloud of radioactive dust.
Most of the rest of the world doesn’t really give a hoot about “Never again.” Perhaps they might if it were amended: “Never again. But if again, this time not just us.”
Apr 17, 2009 - 11:39 am