AIBU to worry about telling colleagues that I’m going to Israel?

[Doubtfulso]

I’ve got a close friends wedding in Israel in 2 months and I am a bridesmaid. She is Israeli and so of course having her wedding in her home country.

I need to book the time off work now, and I work in the kind of company where everyone asks where you’re going or where you’ve been when you book leave.

there’s a lot of anger and strong feelings against Israel at the moment, and I’m worried that colleagues will turn against me or start treating me different when they know that I’m going to Israel.

would I be unreasonable to lie and tell them I’m going somewhere else, or should I be honest?

I would tell the truth but say its for a wedding but also expect a lot of comments

If you told me I’d just be worried for you! Wish nothing but safety for civilians on both “sides”.

Someone who runs a group session we attend went to Israel recently and I just said “have a great time with [relative] and have a safe trip” or words to that effect.

You're not obliged to tell people where you're going if you feel it will bring on too many comments? You can just say you have a family wedding and leave it at that, they don't need to know details beyond that. If you were my colleague I wouldn't say anything except have a nice time but I know people can be weird.

I would tell the truth and if I got any comments then I'd say calmly, 'I think that's an unacceptable comment to make in the workplace. Please don't repeat it or I shall report you'.

I think any discussion on politics is unacceptable in the workplace and whatever your colleagues personal views they should not be expressing them. It could be deemed as anti semitic I imagine.

"A friend I'm bridesmaid for is getting married in [Tel Aviv]/wherever, so I'll be off there for a week." /fin

No one is entitled to your thoughts and feelings about middle eastern politics as a form of small talk!

I'd say people might be concerned for your safety. If you feel it will raise lots of comments then just avoid saying the location. I personally would just tell the truth, but I don't know your colleagues!

If you get any grief, report immediately to HR.

Israel is a legitimate state, fighting a war against a terror organisation. It is ingrained antisemitism that makes it the target for attack.

Also, and speaking as a Jew with Israeli family - I think it's fine to say "It's terrible what's going on there just now, I hope everything calms down soon." Anodyne but hard to pick a fight with.

Most of us are also rather disenchanted with what we're seeing OP, you aren't alone there!

If I’m being honest I’d judge you slightly (and silently) for attending but understand your reasons. If you were going for a holiday I’d expect a much stronger reaction from your colleagues.
If anybody gives you shit, go to HR.

I would absolutely tell the truth.
Things like that have an annoying habit of coming out anyway (slip of the tongue, social media posts etc.), so way better to have it all out in the open. Nothing to be ashamed of anyway, you're going to your mate's wedding, end of.

I don't mean to be goady. Genuinely interested and I'm asking in good faith. Why would you judge the slightly?

Because, without wishing to get into a debate on the politics of the matter, I wouldn’t travel to a country who I believe is committing genocide. For me that feels morally wrong.
Sorry if my answer adds any derailment to your thread, OP!

🙄🙄

Israel is a western, liberal, democratic state and a perfectly legitimate place to go for holidays, weddings or any other reason. I'd tell the truth. I imagine your colleagues might be concerned about your safety because of the constant threat of attacks from Hamas, Hezbollah and their allies though. You can always try to address their concerns if you want to, e.g. "Don't worry, there are bomb shelters in every hotel and building, and Iron Dome has a very high success rate at intercepting rockets, so we will be safter than it sounds." If your colleagues decide to criticise you I'd go to HR. It's not like you've decided to join ISIS or defect to North Korea!

I´d be more worried about you. It is a country at war. I would only travel to countries in that situation for force majeur reasons. Wedding doesn´t cut it.

Have you booked a flight already. Only ELAL are reliable and not likely to cancel. I've had several flights by other carriers cancelled.

Tell them, just as you would do for any other wedding or country!

Obviously keep an eye on safety warnings, though, as travel insurance might not cover you at the moment depending on the location.

Any negative comments at work could be treated as anti-Semitism. So, you have a choice - ignore any comments as you wish, or report them to HR or your manager.

^ Agree with this

You do realise the government is advising against travel there and your travel insurance is likely to be invalidated

I'd look at the Foreign Office advice about travel, if you told me at work as your manager my only concern would be your safety and would ask for your contact details if you were happy to share that , I wouldn't discuss it with anyone else.

Sure thing, keep telling ya self that!

Back to the subject, I wouldn't judge you op you can go wherever you would like it's no one's business but if you feel like you would like to lie, I would just say you're going to Cyprus.

You can get insurance -

egertcohen.co.il/touristisrael/

I understand why you are going, but tbh I think I just wouldn't share where you're going if you want a quiet life.

I think the pps who assume everyone will "only be worried about your safety" are being unrealistic. Whether or not it's correct, there is a huge amount of concern currently about Israel's actions. It's an emotive topic.

No it isn't.