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.

She can wear what TF she likes. Nowt to do with you. Seriously, get a grip 🙄

What a weird reply.

So why does this woman’s badge have anything to do with you?

You do not know her

None of your business AT ALL

Are you Jewish? Did you speak with her if discover that she went on holidays once?

I mean everyone is free to wear what they want. They can say whatever I disagree with and I have a right to disagree with it.

that’s the glory of free speech . We don’t all have to agree.

We live in a free country and people are entitled to their opinions. You aren't the thought police.

Her badge didn't say 'I support the bombing of the Al Shifa hospital." which would have been provocative.

Most decent people are upset by what is happening in Gaza but others have a different view. You'll just have to accept that and move on.

This is wildly irrational, especially the idea that she’s “culturally appropriating” by caring about something that doesn’t affect her directly.

It’s actually possible to have sympathy with both sides. I have an Israeli friend and what has happened is utterly appalling and yet barely mentioned. Equally the assault on civilians in Palestine is horrific

she is making a statement. In some respects I see little support for Israel and I feel hugely sorry for them as most don’t support their leader anyway.

why does this trigger you so much?

So, according to you she.can’t wear about Israel because she knows nothing about it? But it’s ok for you to be professionally offended even you know nothing about it either? Hypocrisy much?

grow up.

”I stand by” <whichever country is prominent in the news that day> and professional offence are both virtue signalling in equal measure.

Maybe I am upset because I feel she is making somebody else's tragedy her problem, like some sort of cultural appropriation

Would you say the same about some of the people on the Palestinian marches every weekend?

Maybe it's Maybelline

Sounds similar to the amount of knowledge most people on the Free Palestine marches have.

Can only Jewish people support Israel, is that what you think? Those sorts of trains of thought I am afraid to say are isolationist and don't help. I'm sorry you're upset, the situation is highly complex, not properly discussed, stressful (as it is so complex and awful), with no clear good/bad and nothing other than misery as any kind of outcome. Most of us either take a comfortable polarised incomplete view as that is more convenient than having to process all the contradictory nuance. I don't think anyone will 'win' in Gaza nor is anyside clearly the one I support, and that is upsetting to be so in flux. My badge would say 'I wish this wasn't happening'. You don't have a monopoly on whatever this is though and you probably quite intimidated the woman asking her her credentials for wearing a silly badge.

You seem intolerant of people's right to have a different opinion to you?

Honestly she sounds potty. That badge IS controversial and she’s inviting both conversation, confrontation and reaction by wearing it and that’s clearly what she wants. She got the reaction she desires from you.

put it aside as another “people are fucking weird”.

Agree with everything @Kasperber says.

People have freedom of expression.
I like that.

She is not pressuring anyone, She is not stopping the traffic.
She is not violent nor interupting daily business.
She is respectfully expressing her views.

More people should be so respectful when taking sides for any cause.

On a positive note, she is thought provoking.
We are all thinking now because of her stance.

I stand with Israel.

I don't believe for one second you spoke to her.

Interesting choice of username you’ve gone for there, OP. Particularly as you appear to have selected it specifically for this thread.

The relationship between Israel and Gaza has been marked by conflict and tension for decades. Please don't confuse the two. Gaza is governed by Hamas, a militant Palestinian group, while Israel maintains control over its borders and airspace. The region has experienced numerous conflicts, including wars and periods of heightened violence, often resulting in civilian casualties and humanitarian crises. Efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement have been elusive, with both sides holding firm to their respective positions and grievances.

YABVU. A passing stranger wore something that you disagree with and you're so upset that you wrote a post? I am frankly delighted to hear that a non-Jewish person is willing to put themselves in the proverbial firing line for supporting the only Jewish state in the world in their existential war.