My #THREAD coming up on the rather regrettable #NataliePortman saga, why it's so damaging and how it reflects on outlook of American Jewish community. 
1. Firstly, no #NataliePortman, Israel was not created because of the Holocaust.
The Jewish people have had 3,000+ year connection & inextricable bond to the Land of Israel, with the modern Zionist movement long pre-detating the Holocaust.
The Jewish people have had 3,000+ year connection & inextricable bond to the Land of Israel, with the modern Zionist movement long pre-detating the Holocaust.
2. And I'm not sure what 'atrocities' #NataliePortman is referring to, but hope is not a reference to Gaza.
I know some of those Hollywood agents can be pretty mean, but they're not quite same as Hamas.
I know some of those Hollywood agents can be pretty mean, but they're not quite same as Hamas.
3. This whole #NataliePortman saga is deeply depressing, but ultimately, is a sad reflection of today's growing American progressive Jewry, especially amongst the youth ... naive, assimilated, privileged and just poorly educated on Israel and Zionism.
4. At the end of the day, the onus is on American Jewish leadership and communities - school, synagogues, camps, pro-Israel groups etc - to properly educate their youth and instill a sense of Jewish identity, Zionism and connection to Israel. #NataliePortman
5. Assimilation has been around long before Benjamin Netanyahu became Prime Minister. It is only now coming to a boil after generation and generation of failure. #NataliePortman
6. #NataliePortman might have said she is against BDS, but all that her actions have done is just empowered this movement, which as we know, seeks as its ultimate goal the very destruction of the State of Israel.
7. Had #NataliePortman truly cared or really wanted to make a difference, she could've come here in person, spoken out (even to PM Netanyahu), seen the situation for herself and made a real impact to the charities of her choosing with the prize money.
8. But instead, #NataliePortman used her massive platform to attack and shame us, in the process showing her out of touch she was with the situation here and mainstream Israelis.
9. For what it's worth, Israel will continue to grow, thrive and be the epicentre of Jewish life. I wish my outlook for Jewish and Zionist life in the Diaspora was more positive, but sadly it is not. #NataliePortman
10. <<< END THREAD >>>
