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Conflict in the Middle East
Original poster

Scared to be Jewish

364 replies

WibbleWobbleFlop · 29/10/2023 14:02

I am not pro-IDF or pro-Hamas, in fact I am very strongly against both. Netanyahu's government is an ultra-right wing aggressive shitshow and Hamas is an "elected" group of cowardly murdering terrorists. I am horrified for all Israeli and Palestinian civilians. I can't even begin to imagine how those poor innocent people of Gaza are carrying on, nor how the hostages and families are coping. I want nothing more than Israelis and Palestinians to live in peace side by side in a democratic two-state solution.

I am a secular Jew. I live in the UK. I am supposedly safe, as are my children.

But I don't feel like we will be safe much longer. Hamas wants the annihilation of all Jews, not just the destruction of the state of Israel. It's not about freeing Palestine to them. It is about eliminated an entire ethnicity. My ethnicity.

When Jews were targeted in the Holocaust, it didn't matter if they were religious, Orthodox, or secular. It didn't matter if they were in Poland or Germany or Russia. Jewish blood meant "evil".

Jewish ancestry is traceable. If Hamas gains further popularity in the Middle East (incredibly likely, given their links to Iran and Qatar), there is a real danger for literally every Jew in the world. I am seeing more and more Europeans and Americans leaning so far to the Palestinian side that they want Israel to stop being an accepted state. This gives so much more power to Hamas because any aid sent to Palestine is being spent on weapons and rockets being used against the Jews.

I'm sure I will be told I am overreacting. But I am scared. And I think I have every right to be.

OP posts:
CheldonSooper · 29/10/2023 14:34

Purpleavocado · 29/10/2023 14:08

I hardly ever mention that I'm Jewish to people. I married a non Jew and have a 'normal' surname, and I'm not religious. And I hate that I feel that I have to do this! I'm proud of my heritage and this makes me feel sad and a little scared.

So are you saying that by not telling people you're Jewish and having a 'normal' name, you can easily blend in? I believe this is what some people say when they talk about this aspect of being Jewish.

That said, I'm sorry you have to do this as regardless of blending in, it still doesn't change how you feel and how difficult it all is.

Original poster
WibbleWobbleFlop · 29/10/2023 14:33

@Waitymatey I live in the UK, but my family live in another Western country.

OP posts:
AgingDisgracefullyHere · 29/10/2023 14:27

I don't blame you for feeling frightened.

But if it's any comfort, the Nazi persecution was based on bunk racial "science" that didn't even respect conversion to Christianity when it came to rounding up Jews.

Islam may have some inherent issues, but racism isn't one of them. I don't think they'll go looking for the children of Jewish mothers and persecuting them for their "Jewish blood." You, individually, sound like you're not in danger.

But I agree that it's sad that you and other non-religious Jews feel like you have to keep it a secret.

TopicalNameChange · 29/10/2023 14:25

YANBU

Waitymatey · 29/10/2023 14:25

Can I please ask how you had permission for the security guards to be armed if you live in the UK? I thought only police/ military could do this.Thanks

Waitymatey · 29/10/2023 14:23

Hello- my mother’s second husband was of Jewish ancestry, she took his surname.
I too am fearful for her. ❤️❤️❤️
I do not think you are exaggerating and while I do not think the Western democracy is oblivious but that they are so busy firefighting vote winning domestic issues so possibly they bury their heads about the divisive concerns facing the resident Jewish population.

YoDood · 29/10/2023 14:22

I am so very sorry.

Alohapotato · 29/10/2023 14:22

You are not overreacting, I see lot of antisemitism not just in Internet but in real life too. I feel very sorry you can't live your culture with freedom because of some ignorant and xenophobic people.

soddingspiderseason · 29/10/2023 14:21

I'm so sorry. I have Jewish friends who now feel the same as you do and its awful that in this day and age people should feel afraid because of their ethnicity/race/culture. There is unfortunately a lot of thinly veiled antisemitism on the relevant threads on MN, and in wider attitudes about what's happening in Gaza. But there are many more people (I hope) who will stand with the Jewish community, recognising that this has nothing whatsoever to do with you or your family. That Jewish people in this country feel so afraid of reprisals is completely unacceptable. I'd like to see more media attention on this. And more overt support.

Original poster
WibbleWobbleFlop · 29/10/2023 14:15

For those who don't realise just how prevalent anti-Semitism is at the moment, my 12-year-old cousin's Bat Mitzvah had 4 armed security guards last week. And they turned out to be needed.

OP posts:
Original poster
WibbleWobbleFlop · 29/10/2023 14:12

@Purpleavocado I also married a non-Jew. My children are very young and as I am not religious in the slightest, they don't know that they have Jewish heritage. I haven't told anybody where I live (I'm nowhere near my family or where I grew up) that I am Jewish.

It's so sad not to be able to embrace our own culture out of fear.

OP posts:
RudsyFarmer · 29/10/2023 14:12

Personally I wouldn’t be wearing any obviously Jewish garments or artefacts for fear of isolated attacks or harassment at the moment. I don’t think you need to be concerned we are heading for a rounding up of Jews circa WW2 in the West.

Purpleavocado · 29/10/2023 14:08

I hardly ever mention that I'm Jewish to people. I married a non Jew and have a 'normal' surname, and I'm not religious. And I hate that I feel that I have to do this! I'm proud of my heritage and this makes me feel sad and a little scared.

Trulywonderful · 29/10/2023 14:07

Sorry but you are about to get lots of posters telling you that your imagining things. That it is only about the Israeli government and Jews are making up everything they say they are seeing or feeling

Oh and you will get it carefully explained that Arabs have more rights to the land than Jews and no they don't have to share anything if they don't want too etc

Good luck

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