Political views and friends drop off

[Noononoo]

In all my rather long life my political views have been in accord with my friends, even confidently leading them. Fashionable, on trend etc etc. no problem. Most of my friends weren’t as feminist as I, I published left wing political stuff.
But now things have radically changed:
I am not in the streets waving the Palestinian flag:
I was so appalled at 10/7 and shocked at how little sympathy was expressed for the Jewish community , how anti semitism rose. I had been aware of antisemitism in the Palestinian solidarity movement since the 90’s, a small but chilling faction. It was always ignored. There are ten times the number if Muslims voting in this country compared to Jews. The Overton window has shifted. Politicians know which side their bread is buttered.
I found out that if I posted anything pretty mild about women’s rights I was getting blanked. I am gender critical in line with my passion for feminism and wary of the patriarchy, damned if a few men will dictate what women are called and where they can go. Not fashionable.
And now I realise that friends have dropped away. I’m not at all on trend. In fact I’m a bit scary it seems. Best avoided. Can it be a coincidence? I just wondered if this rang true for anyone else?

Yes, I have dropped people for being Transphobic and people who agree with the ongoing genocide in Gaza. I think it's common for politics to fracture relationships.

There was a long interesting thread on this last month those that felt they were left but now feel alienated and not sure where we fit in politically now. It’s all so complex and no longer binary left / right like the old days.

I never share any political views online and am very careful with friends and family I would hate to fall out with people I care about. And also in most cases there is no “right or wrong” and the other sides opinions are understandable.

Also I find my views on things change and there are things I don’t fully understand especially the Middle East conflict so going in shouting passionately for one side without a full understanding of why we got here is daft. We have Jewish friends so instinctively support them whilst not condoning the Israeli actions in Gaza. Not easy.

Well you see standing up for women’s rights is not transphobic and Israel are not committing genocide, they are fighting genocidal Hamas who proudly boast their genocidal ambitions to destroy Israel and the Jews. You could say that Israel is trying to destroy Hamas that is true. But that is not genocide that is war. When we fought and destroyed the nazis in Germany we were not committing genocide against the Germans.

Do you often start sentences with 'Well you see...'?

I didn't call you a transphobe, you've inferred that yourself.

I can see why no one wants to spend time with you, you're both patronising and wrong.

What do you mean by confidently leading your friends?

I never discuss politics or religion with friends except for the ones where we agree on most things. I have friends with very different views than myself so better left alone as I really value their friendships.

This is all your opinion. Don't state it as fact. I personally think it is genocide and believe killing medics and aids workers is abhorrent.

I would drop you for your support of Israel. But that’s my choice and I respect peoples right to have different opinions, I just wouldn’t want to be in their company.

This is a rant.

Idk, killing kids and shit make you quite easy to dislike

Bullies are awful, people recognise it.

I try not to lose friends over political views, and while I'm gender-critical myself I have several friends inclined towards the trans rights side.

But if one of my friends started ranting that it was absolutely fine for Israel to starve and murder thousands of civilians then I think I might distance myself a bit.

I think OP’s assertion of ‘confidently leading my friends’ does hint at self-delusion!

As a rule I suspect that if you bang on about politics with your friends, you’ll end up with only a very narrow echo-chamber for your friendship group. And they might only discuss politics….sounds like my idea of hell!

You would not have been my mate in the first place. People who pontificate find their own tribe but they are fickle. Us ordinary folk get along with our friends and certain political views are off limits! We find other things to talk about. Thank God!

Do you speak like this to your friends? Tbh you sound intense, maybe calm it down a bit.

I did hope you would reflect on your OP. However your updates show you your thoughts and your politics very clearly. Whilst I respect your views, I would not wish to in your company.

The UN has found Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.

I'm always baffled by those who think their friends political views don't matter! Surely your political views are part of who you are as a person and say a lot about your values and ethics?

Go and have a look at comments from GB News trump and Farage supporters and see their comments on anyone who actually cares about humanity and then come back that stupid comment about liberals . Ridiculous

Not so much the past but lately we are seeing some changes with this, and it’s not the supposed left liberals who are being vile about anyone who doesn’t fit their criteria of the perfect human. It’s Almost 1930’s ish

I think these two issues - Israel / Palestine and trans/ women’s rights are so difficult, and place wedges between people who would normally be friends and aligned. Good, well meaning people on both sides.

Its almost as though those with a malign agenda have deliberately stoked these issues to divide those of us who would like to see ourselves as inclusive and tolerant 🤔

I get the impression from the way your post is written that you think you are above others and are always right. Those types of people are usually closed minded and hard to get along with. Maybe that is the reason for the loss of friends. I have friends and family with very different political views to my own but it doesn't impact the relationship.

Never talk about politics and religion . The quickest way to fall out unless you know they share your values

You’ll find that right wing people can be friends with everyone despite differing views, whereas “left wing” people will drop anyone who doesn’t toe the line. No idea why it’s always like this but it is

I must have imagined being called a 'Loony leftie" then.

This is such a bizarre statement. Did you make this up and post it as some universal truth? I assume you are right wing 😆