Freedom of speech you say?

[Ohlalalalala]

So it's OK for famous/ less famous people to back one side but not OK for others to back another side?

These are just a few examples of how pressures/ firings are directed at those criticising Israel. Is this normal? What the heck is happening? Is this to silence anyone from voicing what they think is the truth?

BBC News - Melissa Barrera: Actress fired from Scream 7 over Israel-Gaza posts
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-67494374

Susan Sarandon
https://deadline.com/2023/11/susan-sarandon-pro-palestinian-remarks-uta-dropped-1235632398/

Agent Maha Dakhil
https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/tom-cruise-agent-maha-dakhil-palestine-b2451581.html

I would have understood if they imposed a kind of blanket gag order on all actors/ celebrities not to discuss the conflict.

But!

This is happening while hundreds of others publically supported Israel and were instead celebrated.

McCarthyite witch hunt, I say.

This wasn't directed at me, but what is wrong with critisizing Zionist ideology? Israel is by definition the pinnacle of Zionisms - this is a fact.

What is Zionism?

It is now that Hamas has been rebranded either a brave resistance movement, or a poor group of repressed people who can't think for themselves (I call that racism, but hey, times change)The idea that Israel is a white colonialist settler state has so taken hold that destroying Israel is now a completely mainstream opinion. But its not antisemitic, oh no...

Yes.

Well Israelis are Israeli whether Jewish or not

You can say Israeli Jewish people if you want to be more specific

Else if talking about Jewish people around the world then just say Jewish people

If you really mean political Zionism then say political Zionists.

In general just don't use the word Zionist because 95% of the time only Jew haters use it. Therefore people think you are a Jew hater. However if you must then say political Zionist because that is probably what you mean at a guess

Yes a lot of political Zionists are not Jewish but rather disturbing exstemist Christians , think Trump!

Your supervisor sounds like an idiot. Tell him I said that 😁

Good point I would say judging by the content of some posts a complaint about poor teaching is much needed

This idea that a word actually means something else, so we can't use it, makes matters very confusing.

This is actually cracking me up. The teenagers at school sometimes come out with this too about some words.

I just wish they would stop telling each other they will bang them if the do them wrong. In my days at school banging someone had a different meaning. So I always do a double take before remembering what their meaning for banging is

Thank you for this. What's the difference between a political Zionist and an ordinary one? And where does Christian Zionism fall into?
@25milesfromhome I haven't "studied Jews so intently",I'm not sure why you think this? This has been a common allegation towards anyone who has spoken out against the Israeli government ("you are OBSESSED with Jews!") and it's immature and pathetic,and very much comes across as a way to shut down discussion.

@Trulywonderful what is the new definition of banging someone? 😅

Question for everyone

My child's school has a teacher who wears a blue and white badge that says "I'm a zionist"

Thoughts on acceptability?

She says it is because she wants the school to be a place where Jewish children feel safe (it's a private, white majority school)

Genuine question on why or why not this should be okay

I'm not in favour of teachers wearing political statements of any affiliation tbh. And I include rainbow flag pin badges in that. The basic assumption should be that all pupils are safe with all teachers.

It isn't a political statement as such but I wouldn't do it

Since covid I became aware that our students needed to see that Jewish people were just regular people like them. Therefore I am more openly Jewish at work than ever before. It helps our Jewish students to feel they are not alone too.

Having openly Jewish staff at school means students will think a little bit before believing Jew hate on social media or when they here it in real life. Simply because they have real life Jewish people they know that are nothing like the tropes or stereotypes pushed.

I get what the teacher is doing. Which is probably the same as myself but a pin or badge does look political even though most Zionism isn't. Therefore this is something myself as another Jewish would have a quite word with her about. In my school some of the parents would feel this was too much if they found out and put in a complaint too. Therefore the SLT would likely not approve.

Thanks. This teacher also, for the past few years, worn a Star of David necklace to work. (this is not a judgement, but a context to question)

How does that differ, or not, from a Zionism badge?

This.

@Ohlalalalala apologies if I'm derailing thread, please let me know if you want this convo to be taken elsewhere

whats wrong with how people of All faiths usually express their beliefs ? Cross, Star of David , Crescent ?
i personally think it opens a whole lot of issues, students and teachers will take it to the extreme and start wearing any sort of pin representing religious or political group,

I see the Star of David as a possible religious symbol, similar to a cross, and I don't think that is comparable to wearing a badge. I too don't think teachers should wear any badges, they should be promoting safe classes for all pupils regardless.
All the talk of star of David's has reminded me that I had a ring as a child that was the soD, passed down from my great grandmother. I remember being in the school canteen and a girl who had moved from London saw it and asked me if I was Jewish. I had no idea why this ring would have meant that, I must ask my DM why she would have had this, did Christians use it too, or am I unknowingly Jewish?

@Dinkydaisy1 A Star of David is more about your connection to being Jewish, your religious or ethnic identify. It's not political. A lot of people wear them to bring good-luck or protection.

Not saying it's wrong at all (see - no judgement comment) I wouldn't differ a Star of David from a cross or a hijab (headscarf)

Just asking - the teachers intention was to make Jewish children feel safe. My question is how the star of David differs from I'm a zionist badge in appropriateness in a school setting. I'm learning too

Christian Zionists believe that Jewish people have to be in Jerusalem for the end of time. The basic quick version is that we are their and they will massacre us before they go to heaven or something like that. Maybe it was earth will be like heaven I forget. However the massacre bit is true. Similar to what the Quran teaches as that is book three of the Abrahamic trilogy as it were. The the bit about killing Jews at the end of time. Anyway it is why exstemists Christians like Tmp want Jews in Israel and it is rather sick.

Zionism is older than the other to Abrahamic books. It is also in the daily pray said by Jewish people for hundreds of years. It is the belief/wosh that one day Jewish people will have a safe home again. Somewhere they can be safe to be openly Jewish without prejudice. Hence why people will flip out at you if you are antizionist.

The political Zionism movement is a different thing really. It was stated as a campaign to help get a Jewish state. Good intentions I am sure but along the way some mistakes were made. However we know have a state called Israel with 9 million people both Jewish and Arab citizens. It isthe size of Wales and attached to the west bank and Gaza who both have even more citizens. Therefore talking Zionism or political Zionism is rather late. No matter how many people would like to dismantle Israel it isn't going anywhere without ethic cleansing or genocide of possibly 9 million people. So not much different than ethic cleansing or genocide of Gazens. Hence why talk in terms on Zionist at all.

The star of David is common to many religions including Islam and Hinduism, in differing contexts. It's a very common feature in Islamic architecture and geometry

I haven't "studied Jews so intently",I'm not sure why you think this? This has been a common allegation towards anyone who has spoken out against the Israeli government ("you are OBSESSED with Jews!") and it's immature and pathetic,and very much comes across as a way to shut down discussion.

@feralunderclass I would assume someone who posted about how they referred to Jewish people in their academic paper and held forth so authoritatively on Zionism had studied about Jewish people in some regard. Otherwise why are you writing about them?

Haven’t really come across anyone accusing anyone else of being obsessed with Jews tbh, but I have seen people get upset and defensive when it’s suggested to them that the easiest way to prevent accusations of antisemitism is to stop saying antisemitic things. You can say whatever you like (even if it’s wrong), nobody’s stopping you, and by the same token, I can also share my thoughts. Fine for you to disagree.

They mean they want to punch or beat up the other student

(Don't worry it is all just masculine banter most the time)

@Trulywonderful Ah, the “Christian Zionists”, such a lovely, appropriative bunch. Zionism is not for them.

Just seen this ,

I have a star of David that was my grandmother's. On occasion if I need some strength because I have a speech to give or whatever I wear it at school

The star of David is more a religious statement. Similarly to a Muslim person wearing a hijab. Though neither are mandatory in their religions both are a symbol of respecting that religion. In the case of the star of David I think it makes us Jews feel a connection to our ancestors and community. Even non religious Jews like me. It is very different from a I am a Zionist or I am a Jew badge/pin, that is a statement.