Upset by "I stand with Israel" badge at bus stop

[yiddishmaid]

A woman at the bus stop was wearing a badge stating "I stand with Israel" in large letters, which upset me a bit. And has upset me more as I think about it more. She has been to Israel, and has a lot of affection for the Jewish culture, but is not Jewish herself.

I am finding it hard to explain why I am upset. Maybe I am upset because in a way I felt she didn't have a right to take sides. She doesn't really know anything about it. But that seems unreasonable, because everyone knows about the sickening brutality of Hamas.

Maybe I am upset because I disagree with her, and don't in my heart stand with Israel to the full extent any more. But that seems unreasonable, because people can disagree with me.

Maybe I am upset because I feel she is making somebody else's tragedy her problem, like some sort of cultural appropriation. Being brave and wearing a support Israel badge, when actually her thoughts and opinions on the whole subject are not of any relevance and will have no affect, and could stir up local aggression where it was not necessary.

I don't know. I am upset by her badge and her choice to take the risk of wearing it. I don't really know why.

Sounds like you're in an overthinking funk and it's probably not anything to do with this lady and her choice of badge.

Is there something else going on in your life that's making you upset/anxious?

No, I am perfectly happy, nothing else has upset me lately except this badge

Eh?

I inwardly roll my eyes at anyone wearing a badge displaying their politics. Whether that's "I stand with Israel", "Free Palestine" or whether it's some LGBTQXYZ bollocks or a Scottish "Yes" badge.

But that's the end of my interest in their badge-wearing.

I'd be having a little dig into why you're reacting this way to a stranger's badge. It's not a normal reaction.

Then I don't why you're upset either, it seems a minutely small thing in the grand scheme of things. I can't think of any reason other than it being a symptom of something else. Probably best to just try and forget about it. Or have a look round, there are plenty of people doing far, far worse.

Maybe its because I am ashamed of Israel

Standing with Israel doesn't mean you don't condemn the deaths of innocent children and aid workers. The two are not mutually exclusive despite people thinking they are.

How do you know she "doesn't know anything about it"?

The current situation means that the statement is potentially controversial and provocative, but the format it's being conveyed in is one that pretty much assumes silent acceptance by everyone around.

A statement like that in big letters on her clothing is almost like going out and shouting it, except that there's no way for anyone to respond in the moment via the same (or an appropriate) medium — nobody can instantly whip up a giant badge with their feelings on the subject.

It might feel awkward, a statement just hanging there, in a format that has no established social rules around how people can respond (if at all). Perhaps you felt unsettled by this unbalanced communication set-up, regardless of the ins and outs of your actual feelings on the subject.

well, I spoke to her. She went on holiday there once, that is all she knows about Israel.

yes, maybe that is part of it

I'm quite frightened for her too

The streets are full of people who are not Palestinian wearing keffiyehs or Palestinian flags or badges or watermelon t-shirts.

Does that upset you too?

No, I don't feel that that has anything to do with me

I feel this thread is just goady

why? I am feeling upset and want to work out why. What is goady about that

Ah, I see.

Yes, I think YABU because she's a stranger and can wear what she likes. It has absolutely no relevance to you.

Maybe its because I am ashamed of Israel

So? That's your problem. She's literally a stranger on the street.

See to yourself hen.

I can see how that would be upsetting. It's very upsetting to see the genocide Israel is committing, I'm ashamed of them too. And I'm angry at the rest of the world just watching on and not doing anything.

As a British Jew, I’m just glad if I can see any sign that there’s someone who doesn’t hate Israel and/or all Jews . I despair of the Israeli Government and the news coming out of Gaza gets more distressing by the day. But it’s a horrible feeling to be judged for being Jewish and for not hating Israel/Israeli’s. I’d also feel very scared for her safety wearing that.

This is identity politics and puts us all in one camp or another and pits us against each other.
Don't give it another thought op. We have to detach from this basic reactionary level and not be affected by which side others take, no matter what the issue is.

I inwardly roll my eyes at anyone wearing a badge displaying their politics

Same here. Performative, virtue signaling...whatever you want to call it, it's simplistic and generally attention seeking.

Has anyone ever changed their mind about a complex political or cultural issue after seeing a silly badge?

Discreet eye roll then completely forget about it. Not worth my time.

May I suggest getting a grip? It’s really not healthy for you to get actively upset just because someone doesn’t share your opinion.

I also stand with Israel I don’t wear a badge but I don’t get upset by those who don’t (unless they’re being anti-Semitic which is often the case)

You can be upset because you disagree with her statement, but your post is coming across as anger at her right to wear the badge. Which is frankly ridiculous. Who are you to say that her 'thoughts and opinions' on the subject are not relevant? You said she doesn't really know anything about it - how do you know that?
And stiring up aggression? Would you be offended by a pro Palestinian slogan, or any other slogan that you agreed with, being on someone's badge? Highly doubt it.
You are being thoroughly unreasonable.

I hope that Israel comes last in Eurovision.

Why did you speak to her? Was it simply about the badge?