Valerie Hamaty, a 25-year-old Arabic-speaking Rūm / Greek Orthodox Christian singer, will represent Israel at Eurovision 2025.
The selection of Valerie Hamaty, an Arabic-speaking Greek-Orthodox Christian singer of Rūm origin, to represent Israel at Eurovision 2025 is highly symbolic and impressive.
Although she is Arabic-speaking and is considered by Arab “nationalism” to be of Arab origin, she is of Rūm Greek Orthodox origin, which Tribune says is also confirmed by her appearance—she has brown-blonde hair and grey-blue eyes.
Her participation in Eurovision will undoubtedly spark new debates, with the symbolic weight of Israel’s representation more than evident.
The Arabic-speaking Greek Orthodox – and not Arab Christians – in Syria, Lebanon, Israel – Palestinian Territories and Jordan number several million people, which has decreased significantly due to the wars in the region and immigration.
They identify themselves as Romans (Rūm), i.e., as descendants of the Eastern Roman State (Byzantium), which was Greek-speaking, with this specific population being of Greek origin.
For example, when the Revolution of 1821 broke out in Greece, the Ottomans obliged the Greek Orthodox of Jerusalem to wear distinctive clothing and perform forced labour in fortifications, considering them suspects of declaring a Greek revolution in Jerusalem.
The Greeks of Syria, who provide the broadest geographical description of the region, belong to two ancient Patriarchates: Antioch and Jerusalem.
Arab nationalism and Russia promoted the Arabisation of these populations. They are not Arabs, and their blood (DNA) and forms prove they are Greek descendants.
Look at Hamaty, for example, in the photos. Tribune questioned whether her eyes are characteristic of Arabs or Greeks.
Greece has a great responsibility over time, certainly from 1922 onwards, for abandoning these populations to the propaganda of Russians and Arabs.
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