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Conflict in the Middle East

What would the 'support for Israel' equivalent of wearing a Keffiyeh be?

85 replies

Oodiks · 21/01/2025 19:35

Although the Keffiyeh is a traditional Bedouin headdress it now largely indicates support for Palestine. I've noticed women wearing them in Zoom meetings and would like to find a way to reciprocate with my own clothing statement.

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PurpleChrayn · 23/01/2025 14:09

I wear a yellow ribbon, a Star of David and a "chai" charm.

stomachamelon · 23/01/2025 15:59
Hmm
Kendodd · 23/01/2025 20:00

SharonEllis · 22/01/2025 21:36

Not true. Its both. The historical & spiritual connection to Israel is important to the identity of most Jews even if they may or may not support the current government. Most Jews in this country identify as zionists, supporting the state of Israel, regardless of their views on the government.

If I saw somebody wearing a Star of David necklace I'd just assume they were Jewish, Jewish or just fashion. I wouldn't think it showed any opinion on Israel.
Yellow ribbon, I'd think was for the hostages.

SharonEllis · 23/01/2025 20:16

Kendodd · 23/01/2025 20:00

If I saw somebody wearing a Star of David necklace I'd just assume they were Jewish, Jewish or just fashion. I wouldn't think it showed any opinion on Israel.
Yellow ribbon, I'd think was for the hostages.

It wouldn't necessarily show an 'opinion on Israel'. Obviously you can't read someone's mind & shouldn't make assumptions, but there is no doubt that the star of david for many Jewish people represents a deep connection to Israel - that connection is not 'an opinion'. If you saw someone wearing a cross I doubt very much that you would frame it as an 'opinion' on christianity, but as a spiritual connection and manifestation of belief.

Sixpence39 · 27/01/2025 20:20

Kneidlach · 23/01/2025 11:01

In my opinion ‘anti-Zionism’ is anti-Semitic. I can’t really see how denying a people the right to self-determination could be anything other than racism.

This is the heart of the issue for me. We don’t even have words in the English language for someone who is anti the existence of Russia, the USA, Australia or wherever. Because we don’t need these words, as no one seriously believes these countries shouldn’t exist - people manage to disagree with aspects of their politics, the wars they are involved in, etc, without calling for the country to not exist.

It seems that Israel is the only country where it’s acceptable or legitimate to call for it’s destruction. I wonder what distinguishes Israel from everywhere else…

What do you think many native Americans/Canadians and indigenous Australians say about the "right" those countries have to exist? When you've been displaced, subjugated, imprisoned, tortured etc so that a country can be created you tend to feel pretty differently about its "right" to exist. Did their societies not have a right to exist, too, before they were colonised? Exactly the same has happened to the Palestinians since Israel was created in 1948 and just like other indigenous people they are expected to lie down and take it without a fuss.

SharonEllis · 27/01/2025 20:40

Sixpence39 · 27/01/2025 20:20

What do you think many native Americans/Canadians and indigenous Australians say about the "right" those countries have to exist? When you've been displaced, subjugated, imprisoned, tortured etc so that a country can be created you tend to feel pretty differently about its "right" to exist. Did their societies not have a right to exist, too, before they were colonised? Exactly the same has happened to the Palestinians since Israel was created in 1948 and just like other indigenous people they are expected to lie down and take it without a fuss.

Edited

How many blatantly ahistorical points could you squeeze into one post, quite impressive. No the story of the creation of modern Israel is not exactly the same as the creation of the United States of America. The Jewish people come from the region - I assume you have heard of the Bible, even if you are not familiar with the secular history of the region?

Oodiks · 27/01/2025 22:17

SharonEllis · 23/01/2025 20:16

It wouldn't necessarily show an 'opinion on Israel'. Obviously you can't read someone's mind & shouldn't make assumptions, but there is no doubt that the star of david for many Jewish people represents a deep connection to Israel - that connection is not 'an opinion'. If you saw someone wearing a cross I doubt very much that you would frame it as an 'opinion' on christianity, but as a spiritual connection and manifestation of belief.

I think you're right about a Star of David necklace and I'd feel uncomfortable about wearing one as I'm not Jewish. The cross gets worn out of context though, my very irreligious daughter wears several, just because she thinks they are 'cool'.

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SharonEllis · 27/01/2025 22:24

Oodiks · 27/01/2025 22:17

I think you're right about a Star of David necklace and I'd feel uncomfortable about wearing one as I'm not Jewish. The cross gets worn out of context though, my very irreligious daughter wears several, just because she thinks they are 'cool'.

Yes that's very true.

Oodiks · 28/01/2025 16:44

Dulra · 22/01/2025 19:50

but I don't think it's appropriate in a work setting and would like to have some way to respond in kind.

I agree but why respond in kind why not just address in with HR?

I've been thinking about this. I suspect that wearing a Keffiyeh would come under 'free speech' which is very much protected in the US, as would displaying rainbow flags or other expressions of solidarity that I find challenging. Doubly so because I work in a university and we're all about freedom of expression here.

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