Thread by @eslauritaa

How the escalation in the Middle East is affecting #Jews in Germany & Europe - A long thread:

Discomfort is spreading in my Jewish friends circle. Because every time there is an escalating development in the Middle East, they know they will be busy. 1/17

The ones who are not Israeli citizens, but just recently posted a throwback of their visit to the beach of Tel Aviv. Those who don't have a degree in political science, but are shaking their heads at the fourth election in two years. 2/17

The ones who think that Netanyahu is great, those who think he sucks. Those who believe in Zionism, not out of a desire to oppress another people, but because no one in their family has been born in the same country for the past four generations. 3/17

Those who want to be left alone, but know that they will be inquired anyway. At work,school,uni, at the gym. Those whose kippa is declared a symbol of oppression. Those who are critical of the developments in #SheikhJarrah. Those who are arguing with each other right now. 4/17

Jewish people, no matter how politicized they are or what their position is, regardless of whether they have ever spoken out about Israel or whether they are progressive or conservative, are being targeted. 5/17

As soon as an escalating development becomes apparent, they hastily inform themselves, try to adopt a stance for themselves, in order not to be left without an argument when they are once again asked: "What is it that YOU are doing in Israel again?" 6/17

While feature articles in German newspapers discuss whether Israel can still be criticized at all, whether there is such a thing as Israel-related antisemitism, an aggression is unleashed that is addressed to people who are associated to be closest to Israel - Jews. 7/17

The claim "the world needs to see..." - as used in sharepics and videos - suggests that the current situation is being publicly silenced, while unlike other conflicts and even genocidal crimes, all major media outlets have published at least one report on it in recent days. 8/17

I want to make one thing clear:
I condemn all forms of human rights violations. At the same time, I criticize when people jump on a bandwagon in a manner of performative activism because it seems easier to take a stand in this conflict. Disclaimer: it is not. 9/17

I am missing the outcry over the rocket fire on civilians. I condemn the racist & extremist act in Israel that have been fueling this escalation for weeks. 10/17

I note with dismay that Hamas flags and other terrorist symbols displayed in the train of rioting are accepted by supporters as a legitimate means of protest, while in other conflicts they point out how murderous Islamist movements are.
11/17

I would hope that people would take note that Israeli media are also reporting critically on unfolding events. That numerous false reports with videos are circulating, even going viral, of which some are neither from Israel/Palestinian territories nor up-to-date. 12/17

I would wish for nothing more than that amongst Israelis and Palestinians forces mobilize and position themselves that are interested in de-escalation and susrainable & peaceful co-existence in two states. 13/17

No Jewish person should be demanded a position or should have to justify themselves because we are Jewish.
This is real and it is getting worse with every incident and especially since there are social media. 13/17

Yes, some of us have a stance on this. Yes, some of us have family in Israel. Yes, all of this is too much for some of us. Yes, Jews outside of Israel are in danger if the situation in the Middle East escalates, regardless of their position. 14/17

Attacks have already happened, over the past few days synagogues in four German cities have been targeted, and protests are being appropriated by people who certainly don‘t care about Palestinian lives, much as they don‘t care about ethnic diversity in their countries. 15/17

If you regard violence against Jews a legitimate form of protest, your activism is antisemitic. No, even if we post something about it, we don't want to get involved in endless discussions as alleged experts. 16/17

Please check yourselves (and by that I mean explicitly people who neither have a personal connection to this conflict nor express themselves in any other activist context) why you are so interested right now. 17/17