There are several places in the world that carry names from Jewish history and culture, but are located far from Israel and the Middle East.
Due to misunderstandings or confusion, these names have led to a number of interesting incidents. According to journalist Yishai Shenravas, this was the case with a shipment to “Gaza” that the Trump administration blocked.
The Tale of Two Gazas
While for most people “Gaza” is associated with the strip along the Mediterranean coast in the south of Israel, Mozambique also has a province named Gaza, with its capital city is named Gaza, too.
The province and city were named after the Gaza Kingdom, which was established in the 19th century by a leader named Soshangane from the Nguni tribe. Soshangane arrived in the area after fleeing the Zulu wars in South Africa, and founded a kingdom that spanned parts of southern Mozambique and northeastern South Africa.
No Connection to the Middle East
During the colonial era, the kingdom was conquered by the Portuguese and integrated into the Portuguese colony of Mozambique. Today, Gaza city serves as a center for agriculture and fishing.
The reason the story of African Gaza is gaining attention now stems from a discussion about the use of public funds, after the Trump administration halted a $50 million shipment, claiming it was wasteful spending. Many believed the shipment was intended for the Gaza Strip, but another claim suggests the real destination was Gaza Province in Mozambique, Africa. Despite the similar name, there is no connection between Gaza in Mozambique and Gaza in southern Israel.
Jerusalem in the Middle of America
In the United States, a country of immigrants and diverse cultures, there are many Israeli-named locations to be found, including towns named “Jerusalem” in New York, Arkansas, and Ohio.
Religious settlers, likely Protestant Christians, established a new town in Ohio in the 19th century. Perceiving Jerusalem as spiritually inspiring, they named their town after the holy city hoping to infuse it with values of peace, justice, and faith.
Interestingly, not only “Jerusalem” but also names like “Zion,” “Bethlehem,” and “Galilee” appear in dozens of locations across both North and South America, reflecting a strong influence from Jewish and Christian traditions.
A Grand Holy Temple in São Paulo
Speaking of surprising places, located in in São Paulo, Brazil stands a massive and impressive replica of the First Holy Temple originally built by King Solomon in the city of Jerusalem in Israel.
The construction of the Temple replica was initiated by the Universal Church in Brazil, costing an estimated $300 million. An official inauguration took place in 2014, and the site has since become a major attraction, drawing many global visitors and serving as both a religious landmark and a tourist destination.
Names That Cross Continents
At times, these names have led to humorous misunderstandings, as journalist Yishai Shenrav reported happened with the $50 million shipment that the Trump administration halted, calling it a waste of public money. According to Shenrav, the shipment was actually intended for the Gaza Province in Africa and not the Gaza Strip in the Middle East, as many had mistakenly assumed.
“Remember the $50 million shipment that Trump stopped because it was a waste?” Shenrav wrote on his X (formerly Twitter) account, “Turns out it was meant for Gaza Province in Mozambique.”
The stories of Gaza, Jerusalem, he Brazilian Temple and others display how historical names and symbols travel across cultures and geographies, influencing different parts of the world. While the names may be confusing, at times this can create an amusing story.
