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?

If it was some random people, or so called ‘friends’ that took issue with me going, I wouldn’t care.

I only care about colleagues because they have the ability to shape and control my progression in my career, especially anyone senior to me. But I’m leaning towards telling them the truth, and hopefully people won’t be brave enough to come out with anything too offensive.

Israel really is a democratic state i cant understand what people are saying here you will travel to america france asia and understand they do ni not share your politcs. Its like libraials are secretlty authourtarian you must believe our words or we will destroy you. Weird man. Also dont believe your worry is normal or perhaps e never encountered in a working enviorment where id get a judgemental racisit responce for a holiday. Hezbollah clearly started a fight they cant win. Israelli govetnment inder current leadee is clearly unfit and genocidal towards palastines. For god sake its like not going to new york because donald trump was preisent absouloute bunch of predjudiced individuals. Because eveeyy british pwrson is rsponsible for boris johnson thefefore.....

I guess for the same reason a person might legitimately judge someone who was holidaying in South Africa during apartheid. It indicates tacit support for a state and government committing crimes against humanity and breaching international law.

No it doesn't.

It indicates someone is going to a family wedding.

People are entitled to their opinion. Some people would go, others wouldn’t. For some people, it might offend their morality to visit a country and put money into an economy that was committing war crimes. If that doesn’t offend your morality, then by all means go. If some people judge you, so be it.

Also, bloody hell, I can't believe the Israeli information management would bother with Mumsnet. No one wants to see you fall, but we believe in the humanity of the Palestinians and Lebonaese. Russia has used the moment, but the long term, isn't it better for a frosty peace. Is Benjamin the only man who can run the country?

I wouldn’t say anything - but I am quite shocked you are travelling there at this time tbh! I would be really concerned about safety… I thought the UK gov stance currently was do not travel there.

For some of us who are Jewish there is no difference at all between us and Israelis. They are all family.

Who has said that you can't disagree with the actions of a country without hating a population/race/religion?

So fed up with having to read absolute crap like this

I think virtual signalling through passive-aggressive nonsense is a sign of a pathetic mind. So because I visit my family in Zimbabwe, I cosign the state. Bully in liberal clothing.

Really? She's going for a wedding

And yet you still can fly there

Bully in liberal clothing....love that phrase! So accurate

I’m not sure what angle you’re commenting from. Are you saying you wouldn’t understand her reason for travelling? I’ve said I do understand.

Really? You think antisemitism rates are so high because people are lying about what antisemitism is?

I suppose the increased security around synagogues and Jewish schools is in case people criticise the Israeli government at them.

They are free to feel that way but they should keep their views to themselves at work about a colleague travelling to a family wedding. It really is absolutely none of their business, and not their place to comment.

Yes. No matter how much this Israeli government try to claim any criticism of them is anti-Semitic, it is not. They are trying to use fear of being labelled an antisemite as a means to suppress dissent or criticism of their abhorrent actions.

Or maybe she is going to support her good friend at her wedding? If you would really destroy a presumably long friendship just because the person happens to be a nationality you don't like and has the temerity to want to get married in their own country, then you have bigger issues and I'd legitimately judge that more than visiting israel for a wedding tbh.

Just say you're going to a wedding if you dont want to risk any ill feeling . They'll probably assume it's in this country

People judge others for anything and everything so expect to be purposely misunderstood and talked about by those around you.

Why on earth would anyone think OP decided where the wedding should be?

I’m so sorry for your loss last October and the abuse you have had since

What are you even trying to say? Just out of interest...how do you define anti semetism?