Could a peace wristband appeal to those feeling politically homeless?

[Whatnow777]

I think what happened on October 7th is disgusting and honestly my worst nightmare as a mother - if one of my children were captured and tortured like those hostages. I also hate the rise of anti-Semitism in this country. At the same time, I am pro-peace and do feel for those innocent people in Gaza. I’m also anti-Hamas and feel that the regime should be abolished, and I do not want Sharia law in this country.

I have met people wearing ‘Pro Palestine’ bracelets who are anti Istraeli/ anti Jew (I have spoken to said people) and that scares me. (I know it might not be all).

The reason why I am posting this now is I have noticed so many of these wristbands and nothing in support of the Jews, for everything they have gone through /are going through.

My thoughts are that there may be a vast number of people who share my views, who want Jews to be protected in this country, who do not want sharia law in our country, who oppose the extremist acts that have been perpetrated in this country against whoever, and who also wish for peace for both Israelis and Palestinians.

It feels like our voices are not heard because we are not ‘one-sided’ as such, but perhaps are one sided in terms of being against hate and terrorism.

AIBU to think a wristband centred on peace, humanity and opposition to extremism could resonate with people who feel politically homeless in the current debate.

Thank you, yeah, I can see how that could be the case. I wasn't set on it, just an idea really. I guess I am just getting tired of hearing 'the other side' feeling like we are just going along with things silently.

So use your voice.

How are people using their voice though - as you often do not hear of support coming from that side of the debate. Maybe people are too scared to?

This is an interesting debate. Do all of you also feel the pro-Palestine bracelets are pointless and have not been effective for their cause?

I'm afraid I don't see the point. It feels like a gimmick and a way for someone to make money on the back of tragedy. The way to support people is to make wise choices with your votes and to speak up when you disagree with something—though to be honest, I'd be careful about when I'd speak up, because too many people are absolutely nuts these days.

I see someone with a pro-Palestine anything and I worry they might be antisemitic so I fear them.

I don’t think “oh look how supportive you are”. I feel fear.

I wouldn't make money off it. Sorry if that wasn't clear!

Pro Palestine protestors are OK to virtue signal but if Jewish support is offered it's called tokenism. Just as well those pro Palestine tokenistic badges were banned in the NHS. Do what you feel is right for you OP.

No, because the wispy voiced twats who sing ‘peace’ songs outside Barclays Bank everyday weekend where I live, because they want disinvestment in Israel so that it is economically weakened and can’t defend itself from the conglomeration of ME countries and terrorist groups who genuinely want to genocidally destroy it, remarkably think of themselves as peace activists, so would wear this band.

There is remarkably lack of critical thinking and self awareness from these people.

Yes, I agree. I see them and I worry that they are used as a Jew hate symbol as there has been a lot of violence and hate speech from people wearing them. I also feel uncomfortable around people wearing them now as I care about the Jewish people feeling the way you describe

Are you planning to sell them and this thread is market research?

I feel politically homeless but a wrist band isn't going to fix that .

It was just an idea - perhaps not a great one, I know it wouldn't 'fix' anything as such. I just want to be clear, a wristband is not effective in a direct political sense. It does not change policy, stop conflict, or influence governments. Its impact is indirect. It works through visibility, conversation, and shared identity, like pro-Palestine bracelets, anti-war symbols, HIV awareness ribbons, and many other causes.

A bracelet won’t wipe out the genocide. It isn’t a justification for the awful and shocking thing that happened to Israel that October. It has gone way way beyond, and then some, and they are still doing it.

I have not made any bracelets (if I did, I would not make money for myself). I was interested to see what people thought about it. There are some very interesting views, and I respect people's views.

Every single time a thread is made in support of Jews, this is rabbited. Did you misread the OP?

If there was a way to signal unequivocal support for Jewish people, and unequivocal condemnation for the behaviour of the Israeli Government, I would be on board with that.

And unequivocal condemnation for the behaviour of Hamas?

I think the point is that supporting the people of Gaza does not make one anti-Semitic.
whilst the two continue to be conflated, hate and mistrust will continue. People will not be silenced by false accusations of antisemitism; they will just resent those making the allegations and we end up getting nowhere.

That ship has long since sailed. Continuation of the Palestinian hate marches is proof of that.

Of course. Who can make that happen? That we can recognise ALL of the disgusting things that have been happening, and that doesn’t make you a bad person?

I do not want Sharia law in this country

It was all sounding reasonable up to this.

If only it was as simple as that. It's a very complex history, which is why many Jewish posters don't bother engaging anymore.

There are already peace symbols that support charities OP. The Peace Poppy for example. The fact you don’t know about them shows how ineffective they are and how little research you have done. That’s likely why a PP suggested this comes across more as something to raise awareness of you/make you feel good rather than about creating any meaningful impact in the world.

The peace poppy for victims of war? I think it's for a different cause personally

My motivations are to show support for those who are suffering and not feeling supported. You are free not to believe that if you wish!