The curse of the eighth decade is a term used to describe the challenges and difficulties that may arise during one's eighties. It refers to the various physical, mental, and emotional issues that can affect individuals in this stage of life. One of the most common challenges faced during the eighth decade is declining physical health. As people age, their bodies naturally start to experience wear and tear, leading to a range of ailments and conditions. Chronic health problems such as arthritis, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular diseases become more prevalent, requiring medical attention and management. Mental health also becomes a concern during this stage.

2028: The Prophesied Fall – Israel's Eighth Decade: A Historical and Geopolitical Journey into the Future of a Jewish Nation

In "2028: The Prophesied Fall – Israel's Eighth Decade," readers embark on a compelling journey through time, exploring the intricate tapestry of events, ideologies, and prophecies that have shaped one of the most pivotal nations in modern Israel.

This thought-provoking book delves into the origins of the Israeli state, tracing its birth in the aftermath of World War II and examining the complex web of geopolitical motivations and international support that led to its establishment. It offers a critical analysis of Israel's strategic importance to Western powers, particularly the United States and Europe, and unpacks the statement attributed to Biden about the necessity of Israel's existence for global stability.

The narrative then shifts to the myth of Israel's invincibility, a perception fostered by its military might and diplomatic alliances. This part of the book scrutinizes the reality behind this image, questioning whether it is a carefully crafted facade or a true reflection of the nation's strength.

As the title suggests, the heart of the book lies in its exploration of the future — specifically, the year 2028, which marks Israel's eighth decade. Drawing from historical patterns and Islamic prophecies, the book presents the intriguing theory of the 'curse of the 8th decade,' suggesting a potential cycle of rise and fall inherent in Jewish states. This perspective is complemented by an examination of predictions found in the Quran about the fate of Jewish states, offering a unique theological viewpoint on Israel's future.

"2028: The Prophesied Fall" is more than a historical account; it is a journey into the realms of possibility, where history, prophecy, and current global dynamics converge. This book is an essential read for anyone interested in understanding the forces that have shaped Israel and those that might dictate its future. It is a narrative that challenges perceptions, invites debate, and opens the door to a deeper understanding of a nation at the center of world attention.

Published December 5, 2023

Why Israel's leaders and allies are in a state of panic over its future

Panic about the survival of the European Jewish settler colony of Israel is striking at the hearts of European neocolonial powers, as well as the white settler colonies.

The increasing sophistication of the Palestinian and Lebanese armed and unarmed resistance, the growth of the solidarity movement in western countries, the consensus of western human rights groups about the apartheid nature of Israel, and the expansive reach of alternative media exposing Israeli crimes have all been important if uneven factors in inducing this panic.

The panic felt by these European powers - and the EU itself - along with the United States has resulted in a push to criminalise criticism of Israel

In the face of such threats to the survivability of Israel, the UK, the major architect of the Jewish settler colony since the First World War, declared this week in its Queen's speech opening of parliament that it would ban local councils and other public bodies from participating in boycott and divestment campaigns.

In Germany, the most anti-Palestinian European state (and there are many contenders for the title), the state-owned broadcaster Deutsche Welle recently purged at least seven of its Arab staff for allegedly criticising Israel, while France has banned marches that criticise Israeli crimes and invasions.

The panic felt by these European powers - and the EU itself - along with the United States has resulted in a push to criminalise criticism of Israel as part of a major encroachment on free speech in these supposedly “liberal-democratic” countries.

Mental health also becomes a concern during this stage. Age-related cognitive decline, including memory loss and reduced mental agility, may start to manifest. Conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease can greatly impact one's quality of life and require specialized care and support.

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The efforts at criminalisation base themselves on their adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) 2016 definition of antisemitism as inclusive of the “targeting of the State of Israel” or of describing it as “racist” in nature.

The IHRA is an intergovernmental organisation whose 34 member countries are exclusively European or white settler colonies, including Israel.

Threats to Israel's survival

Former Israeli general and prime minister, Ehud Barak (né “Brog”, son of Lithuanian colonists), has recently expressed his worry that Israel, founded in 1948, might not reach the ripe old age of 80. Former Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (né Mileikowsky, son of Polish colonists) expressed his fear five years ago that Israel might not reach 100.

Both Barak and Netanyahu cited the demise of the ancient Israelite state in Palestine, which existed for a mere eight decades, as the basis for their fears.

Israel remains the most formidable military force in the Middle East. It successfully set up a quisling Palestinian regime in 1993 to help it crush Palestinians who resist the colonists and has subdued most of its neighbours by concluding “peace” agreements with them. It has also gained US recognition of its illegal occupation and colonisation of Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. So why this worry about its future survival?

Could it be Palestinian and Lebanese resistance, with their increased armaments and military sophistication, which threaten that survival?

This is not, however, what Barak and Netanyahu would have us believe will doom Israel in the next six, or 26, years.

Barak expressed his fear that the “curse of the eighth decade would befall” present Israel. That modern Israel was named after its ancient homonym is one of the reasons for the parallel drawn between the fate of the ancient state and the current settler colony.

While the debate about what to call the state preceded the November 1947 UN Partition Resolution, no decision was made despite the many proposals, which included Judea, Zion, Yeshurun and Eber. The name “State of Israel” was accepted in April 1948 and officially adopted on 12 May that year by a committee that included David Remez (a Byelorussian who went to Palestine in 1913 at the age of 27).

The choice of what to name the state is said to have been first proposed by the Ukrainian Aharon Shimshelevitz, later “Reuveni” (1886-1972), brother of Yitzhak Ben Zvi (Israel’s second president), who came to Palestine in 1910.

Calling the country “the State of Israel” (or “Medinat Yisrael” in Hebrew), wherein “Israel” (which was the name given to the biblical Jacob after he struggled with the angel of God), refers to the Jewish people, considered to be Jacob’s descendants, was a deliberate choice.

Ancient history

The coiners refused to call it “the Land of Israel” (Eretz Yisrael), as that would be confusing since the state then was going to be established only on part of the so-called “Land of Israel”. The name of the state would facilitate the Zionist tarnishing of anyone who opposed the “State of the Jewish people” with antisemitism in the decades to come.

It remains most perplexing that in the mind of Israel’s leaders, it is the very name of the state that will doom it in the near future.

Israeli flags flutter at the military cemetery on the Mount of Olives, overlooking the Dome of the Rock mosque (background), in Jerusalem, 4 May 2022 (AFP)

Note that neither Barak nor Netanyahu think that what modern Israel has done since 1948 is what will doom it in the near future, nor that Palestinian and Lebanese resistance is what endangers it, but rather it is the fantastical parallel they draw with ancient history that may seal the fate of the settler colony.

But if history is any guide, the future of Israel in the next six or 26 years will most assuredly be no different from its past. Israel will continue to colonise the land of the Palestinians; to murder, expel and oppress them for daring to defend their lands and lives against its colonial theft.

Israel will also continue to repress all forms of Palestinian resistance. It will continue to justify all its colonial crimes by appealing to the Holocaust as justification, and will continue to brand and defame all those who criticise its depredations as antisemites.

Dire predictions

Israel will continue to intensify US imperial sponsorship, to create imperial regional alliances, to aggress against its neighbours, including Lebanon and Syria, and distant Iran, and will continue to claim that its predatory aggression is no more than its “right to defend itself”.

But Palestinian and Lebanese resistance are determined to continue their efforts to check Israel’s colonial aggression and will likely become even stronger and better-equipped than they are today.

If all of this will doom Israel’s future, and there is good reason to believe that it could and should, it is not going to take some type of recent, novel crimes to end this horrific colonial chapter in the history of the Palestinians and other Arabs.

Rather its end will come from the persistence and continuation of the very same colonial practices that Israel has instituted since 1948 and which Zionist ideology called for since the late 19th century - and the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance they fostered over the decades. Most assuredly, the reason for Israel’s demise will not be down to some historical repetition, or based on the choice of its name, or any such nonsense.

These Israeli dire predictions are, of course, also a cynical move on the part of Barak and Netanyahu, as they are engineered to produce panic among Israel’s Jewish colonists and stifle whatever meagre local opposition exists in the country, thereby lining up the Jewish colonists behind their state.

The predictions are also engineered to induce panic among Israel’s supporters and allies in Europe and the white settler colonies, so that they provide more financial, military and diplomatic support and cover. These countries’ adoption of the IHRA definition is part of this strategy.

Real panic

The fear of continued international exposure of Israel’s crimes, however, has caused real panic in the Israeli leadership.

It led this week to the assassination (or, more accurately, execution) of the prominent Palestinian journalist Shireen Abu Akleh (whom I had the privilege of meeting once in 2002 at the home of Edward Said), Al Jazeera’s most articulate and superlative correspondent in Palestine, as she was covering one of their many criminal raids on the Jenin refugee camp.

The response of the European colonial powers and the US was, as always, one of circling the wagons, Boer-style. The US expressed “sadness”; the EU did not seem particularly “sad”. Both showed a determined reticence to assign any blame to the murderous Israelis.

That Abu Akleh was a US national is as much of a concern for the Americans as was the elderly Palestinian-American man who died after being beaten by Israeli soldiers in January.

The question is not simply about the hypocrisy of US and European reactions to the situation in Ukraine versus their reactions to colonial crimes in Palestine, but over their continued commitment to preserving the Jewish settler colony for the foreseeable future.

This is a future that the Palestinian and Lebanese resistance and international solidarity continue to imperil and jeopardise. Given these real and imagined dangers, Israeli and western optimisation of efforts to safeguard Israel’s colonial future remains a priority.

On this 74th anniversary of the Nakba, predictions of the future demise of Israel may not be greatly exaggerated, although Europe’s and the US’s futile commitment to preventing such an eventuality certainly is.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Eye.

Joseph Massad is professor of modern Arab politics and intellectual history at Columbia University, New York. He is the author of many books and academic and journalistic articles. His books include Colonial Effects: The Making of National Identity in Jordan; Desiring Arabs; The Persistence of the Palestinian Question: Essays on Zionism and the Palestinians, and most recently Islam in Liberalism. His books and articles have been translated into a dozen languages.

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The curse of the eighth decade and the prophecies. Are we on the verge of Israel's demise?

Highlights: The curse of the eighth decade and the prophecies. Are we on the verge of Israel's demise?. The idea of fearing for Israel's survival itself has not left the mentality of the Israeli system in any way. Israel has been experiencing a severe social divide for years, but this division has begun to deepen. The battle for the "Al-Aqsa flood" and its failure to deal with the issue of prisoners and detainees in Gaza has further divided Israeli society as it further further divided the country.

The idea of the "curse of the eighth decade" goes back to the narrative that Jews generally established themselves in Palestine throughout ancient history as two independent political entities, both of which collapsed and fell into their eighth decade.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak keeps recalling the curse of the eighth decade from time to time (Getty Images)

Although the Israeli media has always mocked the idea of religious prophecies about Israel's survival and life—whether those put forward by some religious Jews or by some members and preachers of Islamic currents—the irony today is that the idea of fearing for Israel's survival itself has not left the mentality of the Israeli system in any way.

Perhaps hardly a country in the world is as obsessed with survival and fear of how viable it will be possible in the future like Israel. Even the secular and non-religious current in Israel is obsessed with the idea of Israel's survival and continuity, even if this is not based on religious texts, as this current has replaced these texts with historical facts to be the source of the dialectic of Israel's survival and lifespan, and this has begun to appear clearly in recent years in the statements of Israeli leaders and intellectuals who are not interested in the prophecies and texts of religious currents, and is known today as the "curse of the eighth decade".

The idea of the "curse of the eighth decade" goes back to a narrative almost agreed upon by historians dealing with the history of the Jewish political presence in Palestine, namely that the Jews in general established themselves in Palestine throughout ancient history as two independent political entities, and both entities collapsed and fell into their eighth decade.

Israeli historians refer in this dialectic to the Kingdom of David, which they date back to about 1000 BC, which lasted less than eighty years under the rule of the two kings: David and Solomon (where the Jews do not believe in their prophecy), and with the death of King Solomon at the beginning of the eighth decade of the life of this kingdom, signs of division and fragmentation began to prevail over it, which led to its division into the Kingdom of Israel in the north with its capital in Nablus, and the Kingdom of Judea in the south with Jerusalem as its capital, and soon both weak kingdoms fell Later at the hands of the Assyrians and then the Babylonians.

The second entity was established as the "Kingdom of the Hasmoneans" around 140 BC during the Greek rule of Palestine, as a result of the revolt of Judea Maccabee, but this kingdom also entered the eighth decade of its life in the chaos that led to its fall. No politically independent entity existed for the Jews in Palestine throughout history other than these two entities, until the establishment of the current State of Israel in 1948, which this year celebrated its 75th anniversary, that is, it is now in the middle of its eighth decade. This raises the fears of politicians in Israel that there is a close relationship between the eighth decade and the fall of any Jewish political entity throughout history.

Paradoxically, the curse of the eighth decade has been known to other peoples, from the Soviet Union, which fell in its eighth decade, to the Third French Republic, which fell under German occupation in its eighth decade, and so on.

Historians attribute this to the fact that the eighth decade is usually a sensitive stage in the history of any state, depending on the fact that it is the peak stage of the life of the third generation, which does not take the idea of the possibility of the collapse of the state project seriously like the two generations that preceded it, and thus pays more attention to addressing and deepening internal problems, which later leads to the complete weakening of the state due to the disintegration of society and its centering on its internal problems.

In fact, this is what increases the fear of Israeli politicians and intellectuals that Israel will be cursed again. In particular, the form of the fall of the two Jewish entities in Palestine in ancient history was primarily related to the disintegration and societal division, which is exactly what Israel has been witnessing for more than three years. Israel has been experiencing a severe social divide for years, but this division has begun to deepen and take on the character of disintegration with the developments of what has become known as the "judicial coup" by Netanyahu's right-wing government before the battle of the "Al-Aqsa flood."

The strange thing here is that the battle for the "Al-Aqsa flood", contrary to expectations, did not contribute to the unification of Israeli society as much as it further divided it. The street demonstrations have shifted from protesting the judicial reform plan to protesting the Netanyahu government's failure to manage the battle for the "Al-Aqsa flood" and its failure to deal – in particular – with the issue of Israeli prisoners and detainees in Gaza. Israel entered this battle more than a month ago in a state of unprecedented division, and the battle contributed to deepening this division, and Netanyahu's efforts failed to unite the political spectrum behind his leadership under the pretext of war, and Benny Gantz's entry into the emergency government formed by Netanyahu contributed nothing more than making Israel's internal differences appear clearer on international television.

Another thing that is striking in this corner is that the dust of the battle has not prevented it from continuing, but rather increasing the publicity of the curse of the eighth decade in the media among Israelis at this sensitive time.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak keeps mentioning this curse from time to time in the middle of the battle today, and some Israeli websites and social media pages are still dealing with this issue with more fear and doubt about the results of this war, which surprised Israel and made it for the first time in the position of the recipient of the first strike, not who chooses the battlefield or even who manages it and determines its end, which makes the average Israeli observer feel more pressure and fear that the idea of a "curse" The Eighth Decade" is a fact, and it is currently being realized.

What makes matters worse is that some extremist religious currents opposed to Israel are linked to religious texts from which fears for Israel's future can be understood from the logic of religious prophecies as well!

At the same time, the Palestinian factions entered the battle they initiated armed with the same idea of the curse of the eighth decade that Israel fears, in addition to a torrent of prophecies put forward by some preachers about the future of Israel from religious grounds, as in the case of Sheikh Bassam Jarrar, or from historical traces, as in the case of the founder and spiritual leader of Hamas, Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

Regardless of the premises, correctness or error of the perceptions that produced these prophecies and the vision for the future, repeating them frequently – at the same time that Israelis repeat their own historical prophecy called the "curse of the eighth decade" – is enough to turn the equations on the ground and have a significant impact on the morale of both sides: Israeli and Palestinian, especially when it comes to a direct confrontation on the ground during the ground war, something that war historians and scholars understand to be dangerous.

In the nineties of the last century, I remember watching a video lecture by the Iraqi writer Muhammad Ahmed Al-Rashed, in which he dealt with a story about their Iraqi Jewish neighbor in 1948, where he mentioned that their neighbor came to their house crying because of the establishment of the State of Israel, and said to Al-Rashed's mother: This state will last 76 years! I remembered this story well, as I heard it again in a video lecture also by the Palestinian preacher Bassam Jarrar quoting Muhammad Al-Rashed, and Jarrar made it a springboard for his famous prophecy about 2022, after he turned the number 76 to 74 years old.

In an interview with Sheikh Ahmed Yassin on Al-Jazeera's "Witness to the Era" program, he said that he believes through historical and Quranic traces that Israel will not see the eightieth year, and gave it until 2027. Today, Ehud Barak, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Naftali Bennett, all of whom served as Israel's prime minister, come to say that Israel faces a major challenge: the extent to which it can reach the age of eighty, to align – whether they know or not – with what Rashed, Jarrar and Yassin have put forward. Imagine the impact of all these similar theses on the psyche of both the Israeli soldier and the Palestinian fighter on the ground battlefield face to face in Gaza.

It is well established that the idea of prophecies - whatever its origin - is attractive to peoples and protector of their owners, if the prophecy is true, it must be fulfilled, and if it is not fulfilled, it is not a prophecy. Regardless of the nature of these prophecies: whether based on sacred texts, on the figures of Knostradamus, or on a general view of history, its laws and its functioning, what they have in common is the people's adherence to them, the desire of some of them to fulfill them, and the fear of some of them of their inevitability to the point of paralysis and helplessness in front of them, which ultimately leads to their transformation into reality.

In addition to physical and mental health issues, older adults may face emotional challenges as well. The loss of loved ones and friends becomes more common, leading to feelings of loneliness and grief. Retirement and the loss of work can also impact a person's sense of purpose and identity, leading to feelings of emptiness or depression. Furthermore, the curse of the eighth decade extends beyond individual challenges to societal issues. Healthcare systems may struggle to cope with the increasing demands of an ageing population. The availability and accessibility of long-term care and support services become crucial as more older adults require assistance with day-to-day tasks. Despite the challenges associated with the eighth decade, it is important to recognize that ageing is a natural process that can also bring wisdom, resilience, and new opportunities. Many older adults continue to lead active, fulfilling lives during this stage, maintaining hobbies, pursuing new interests, and forming new social connections. To mitigate the impacts of the curse of the eighth decade, it is essential to prioritize self-care and engage in healthy lifestyle practices, including regular exercise, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep. Maintaining social connections and seeking support from family members, friends, and healthcare professionals can also greatly improve the overall well-being of older adults. In conclusion, the curse of the eighth decade represents the various challenges faced during one's eighties. Physical, mental, and emotional health issues may arise, requiring attention and care. However, with the right support and self-care practices, individuals can navigate this stage of life with resilience and continue to lead fulfilling lives..

Reviews for "Living Life to the Fullest: How to Make the Most of Your Eighth Decade"

1. John - 2 stars - I found "Curse of the eighth decade" to be a disappointing read. The plot was slow-paced and lacked depth, making it difficult for me to engage with the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and I couldn't connect with any of them. Additionally, I felt that the writing style was lacking and failed to create a captivating atmosphere. Overall, I was left underwhelmed by this book and wouldn't recommend it to others.

2. Emily - 1 star - I found "Curse of the eighth decade" to be a complete waste of time. The story was confusing and convoluted, with no clear direction. I struggled to keep track of the multiple plotlines and found myself losing interest halfway through the book. The characters were poorly developed and their actions felt forced and unrealistic. The writing style was also lackluster, with no descriptive language to help bring the scenes to life. I was highly disappointed by this novel and regretted spending my time reading it.

3. Sarah - 2 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Curse of the eighth decade". The premise had potential, but unfortunately, the execution fell short. The plot was predictable and lacked originality, leaving me bored and unengaged. The characters were forgettable and their motivations were poorly explained. Additionally, the writing style was choppy and failed to create a sense of urgency or suspense. Overall, I couldn't wait to finish this book and move on to something more captivating.

Overcoming the Curse: Strategies for Avoiding the Pitfalls of Aging in Your Eighth Decade