Taking the Jew out of Jewlia
"If anti-zionism is not anti-semetism... why attack and kill Jews in the UNITED STATES in the name of "free Palestine?""
(Her IG post)
Dear Julia,
Following my policy of assuming every girl is talking to me, I am assuming you were talking to me.
To prepare to answer your question in a helpful, fun, sexy way I am listening in the background to one of my favorite movies:
Where "we" kicked "their" ass. Very awesomely. It felt good to watch it growing up. Despite not really feeling any anti-semetism beyond "he's weird 'cause he don't believe in Jesus", seeing "my people" be great warriors was fortifying. If you haven't seen it, it's free on YouTube.
On Friday I went hiking in Brooklyn and walked north through a huge cemetery. I came to a fence. On the other side was another cemetery. "What the fuck is the point of this? Are the dead gonna escape?" I asked as I searched for a way through, over, or around. Then it occurred to me. I looked at the graves on my side. "Jones", "Hayes"... angels and crosses and Jesus. On the other side? Yep. "Goldberg", "Rosenbaum"... Stars of David, a Jewish cemetery, separated from the Christian one. The graves were mostly from 100 years ago. Back when there was! anti-semetism in America.
That was then. That does not happen now. It didn't happen to me and I lived smack dab in the middle of the Bible Belt.
*****
Mormons.
Mormons and Utah. That's their state.
It's the only religion in America with its own state. That's where their crazy cult set up shop 175 years ago. Let's pretend the State of Utah and the State of Colorado went to war. Mormons in Maine would get shite about their religious team's war out west even though they have nothing at all to do with it. They're linked. In the minds of the public. Mormons and Utah.
As with Jews and Israel. Israel is "the Jewish state". That's what they wanted it to be. A homeland for the Jews. As Utah was a homeland for the Mormons. So unfortunately, what Israel does might affect you. Because your necklace is on their flag.
If Jews had many states, as Christians and Muslims do, it would be better. Do Christians get crap about Russia bombing the hell out of Ukraine? Despite it being a majority Russian Orthodox Christian nation? No. They don't. Russians may get crap about it but they have to say "I am Russian" first.
There's no link in the public's mind between the state doing the warring and its religion.
Here's another anecdote, from the opposite intention:
You are a proud Israel loving Jew. You're asking for it from anyone who hates Israel.
How many Jews of a more... eclectic view, lend their support to the Palestinian cause? A lot. Are they attacked by their fellow pro-Palestinian group members? Probably not or they wouldn't go back. I doubt that very many of the most militant pro-Palestinian activists would be mean to you if you said "I'm Jewish and stand with Palestine".
Don't do that. I'm just saying, when you hold up a flag in war, expect to be shot at by the other country.
*****
I went to a Pittsburgh Pirates ballgame when I was in middle school. A few rows down were a group holding... Israeli flags? At a baseball game at Three River's Stadium? It was confusing to me. What did Israel have to do with our! national pastime and I said that with a little annoyance to myself. I was embarrassed. As a sorta Jew I was embarrassed that they were holding up my sorta identity in the wrong place at the wrong time for a reason I couldn't understand.
They were asking for it. Even from me.
Part of you, the warrior you are, enjoys the fight. Me too. So you throw down the gauntlet and stand and fight for Israel. Even as you fight peacefully.
A warrior for the Palestinian side sees you. Sees you standing proud under the blue and white. Saw them in Colorado the same. Sees you and them therefore as the enemy.
*****
Personally I think you find Israeli Jewish men more attractive than American Jewish men and are fishing for the best one. Israeli Jewish men are significantly tougher than American ones so you have the right idea. But both aren't as tough as me.
Love,
Alex
