(Jewish Group) Jew hatred sneaks up at you in the most unexpected places

[Behind the Aegis]

(THIS IS THE JEWISH GROUP! RESPECT!!)

It’s surprising — some would say shocking — where you find little incidents of anti-Semitism. They sort of sneak up on you in sublime places, leaving you in a quandary whether to address it or walk away from it.

---snip---

After the usual pleasantries, I hazarded a guess that he came from New York. I was wrong. He surprised me by telling us he was from some place in Texas. I congratulated him on the extraordinary long distance flights he had taken on his own from Texas to London and then the road travel down to Southampton to meet the cruise ship.

Then I said we lived in Israel. He stared at me.

“Why do your neighbors hate you?”

I didn’t see that coming but, experienced in hasbara, I made some reference to being surrounded by people who want to kill us. If I didn’t see that coming I certainly didn’t expect what came next.

“All you people want is our money.”

Momentarily off-balance, I asked him what he was talking about. He answered, “You Jews keep coming to our Congress begging for our money.”

more...

[saidsimplesimon]

1. I disagree

Your current leader in Israel is a criminal, imo.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. You were repeatedly warned.

Also, I am AMERICAN.

[grossproffit]

4. Antisemitism "Accusing Jewish citizens of being more loyal to Israel, than to their own nations."

https://www.holocaustremembrance.com/working-definition-antisemitism

[MosheFeingold]

5. Old anti-semites

Are just like the new ones.

I do have to admit I agree with the antisemitic octogenarian in the article -- pneumonia can kill you. I've just gotten out of the hospital with bronchitis that turned into pneumonia that I apparently walked around with for a month. Nothing like having an hour long cough and spit session everyday.

I also got stuck in the octogenarian wing of a hospital in El Paso for 6 days.

And I had variations of the interaction with the old bigot detailed in the story, brought on by the visit by a rabbi once and the fact that, after all these years, I still sound like Henry Kissinger.

The most common interaction was sweet old goyishe women concerned that I don't love Jesus. They are actually really nice people and genuinely concerned. Annoying, yes. But respectful of Judaism, Jews, and candidly often quite knowledgeable about the Torah and eager to learn more. The moments of disagreement are political -- without fail, they are ardently Republican and quote Fox News. The common recurring question was "why are Jewish people Democrats since liberals are so often antisemitic?"

I gave a long, complex, answer the first couple of times. Then I resorted to simply saying "Tradition!" in a booming voice. It would get a laugh and end the discussion.

I was rewarded by one such goyishe woman playing about half the songs from Fiddler in the old piano. It was lovely.

Several mutterers like the man in the story, but they never bothered me. An advantage to being tall and relatively fit for an old man. Even coughing I could kick their ass.

[Behind the Aegis]

6. Yes, they are.

Well, not all of them, of course. Many modern anti-Semites are quite limber in their mental gymnastic performances in order to convince themselves, mainly, and others they aren't really anti-Semites.

I am glad you are feeling better. Take care of yourself.