Coworker said Israel shouldn’t exist

Anonymous
The anti-semitism is strong on DCUM.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I mean… I think the US shouldn’t exist seeing as it’s the result of a genocidal land grab. And I’m descended from the white Europeans who committed said land grab. Admittedly from would-be-starving-or-press-ganged-if-we-stayed-in-Europe variety, but still. I don’t consider this an anti-white stance or even exactly anti-American because unfortunately it does and uncreating it isn’t an option but more a moral observation of the past. So I think the bald opinion of Israel shouldn’t exist (especially from someone whose family was literally disenfranchised by the creation of Israel) kind of makes sense. That being said, harping on it, at work no less, and using Israeli as a derogatory term, is unacceptable.


Well imagine you chose to share this opinion right after 9/11, and said it to someone whose relative died in the towers. Do you think this would be good workplace conversation?


As I said in my post, I think it’s completely inappropriate to say this stuff at work, especially to a Jewish colleague or anyone who may have friends/family in Israel. I just think that the people saying he’s clearly wrong for saying it ever or thinking it at all are wrong.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When Palestinians say Israel shouldn’t exist, they mean pushing the Jews into the sea and exterminating them.

When Israelis say Palestine shouldn’t exist, they mean the status quo that’s existed for decades.


Arabs-Israelis make up 21% of the Israeli population and have full voting rights in their system and freedom of movement and everything other Israelis have.

On the other hand, how many Jews live in Gaza or WB? Lots of Christians but no Jews. Wonder why that is?

This is why speaking about the elimination of Israel is anti-Semitic, because there is no path where Israel doesn’t exist and the Jews within its border continue to exist. There’s plenty of precedent to demonstrate that this is true.



There are a lot of problems with your comment, but the biggest one is you pretty much asking us to ignore that Israel is currently starving the 2 million people in Gaza and bombing all of their homes when thinking about what it could mean when an Israeli person is saying that there should be no Palestine.


That's fine, states or terror often suffer


You could say the same about Israel.


According to US law. Hamas is the terrorist designation not Israel. I dont make the rules
Anonymous
I think Belgium shouldn't exist -- it's basically a country where the French-speakers can just become part of France, and the other half should join the Netherlands.

I also don't think West Virginia should exist -- it should become part of VA like it used to be. Same for the Dakotas -- merge North and South back to what it used to be.

I'm not against the people, I just think the abitrary borders drawn up to create these countries/states are unnecessary.

Anonymous
Saying this in a meeting is highly inappropriate and HR needs to handle
Anonymous
"The person is Palestinian and has made anti-Israel comments before. When someone sat in his usual spot at the conference table, he joked that the person was Israeli for taking his things."

This is the level of trolling I come here for. Well done.
Anonymous
If he were of any other nationality besides Palestinian, I would call it out. But his homeland was literally taken away from he people so he’s gonna have that opinion.

Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.


He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Being opposed to the existence of a colonial state - which is Israel IS - IS NOT antisemitism.

Please stop conflating these issues!

OP, as long as your colleague is pleasant and professional toward you, I would not think twice about this. Obviously they should not be discussing politics at work (IMO) but if this was a one-off I would let it go. I’m sorry though, I’m sure it was an awkward/uncomfortable feeling.


When do you plan on handing your land and property over to the Native Americans?
Anonymous
It's possible to oppose the war in Gaza without saying Israel shouldn't exist. Letting comments like that go just encourages more anti-semitism and terrorist propaganda.
Anonymous
What your coworker said is anti-semitic hate speech and could likely get him fired. Despite the bigots on this forum, that is the legal reality. It's just a question of if you want to pursue it. I would. I have a zero-tolerance policy for anti-semitism.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I am Jewish and the remark was made with such lightheartedness that it was even more disturbing. The same tone as referencing a TV show. Something like ‘…yeah, just how Israel shouldn’t exist.’

I let it go because confronting him at a work dinner would’ve made for a tough situation and I work with this person a lot. I would characterize our relationship as work friends. We’re on a pretty small team so there is no avoiding each other.

The person is Palestinian and has made anti-Israel comments before. When someone sat in his usual spot at the conference table, he joked that the person was Israeli for taking his things.

I do try to see things from his point of view, especially during this terrible war, but to think Israel shouldn’t exist is too much in my view. And you can be anti Israeli policies without being anti-Semitic. But to think Israel shouldn’t exist (and comment about it like it’s a mainstream opinion) is anti-Semitic in my opinion. Perhaps it is a mainstream opinion nowadays. I work a lot with this person and have had a good relationship until this moment. I think it’s just one of those things you have to compartmentalize and move on.

What would you do?


I'm Jewish, and I would not actually call that person anti-Semitic. Yes, even though they are, by definition almost, anti-Semitic. But if a person is Palestinian, then hating Israel and wishing it away are not really in the same category as an American-raised person thinking all Jews should be exterminated. Theirs is more anger and grievance that is political in nature. Many Jews I know think Palestine shouldn't exist, or even that it doesn't exist, so I'm not sure it's fair to label your coworker anti-Semitic. On the other hand, work is really not a place to express those views, joking or not. Maybe especially joking. So it's inappropriate for your coworker to say those things, and someone really should tell them so, but not you.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.


He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.


Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I think Belgium shouldn't exist -- it's basically a country where the French-speakers can just become part of France, and the other half should join the Netherlands.

I also don't think West Virginia should exist -- it should become part of VA like it used to be. Same for the Dakotas -- merge North and South back to what it used to be.

I'm not against the people, I just think the abitrary borders drawn up to create these countries/states are unnecessary.



So, I think the difference here is that you are suggesting that West Virginia be reabsorbed, but the people would remain where they are. I think Moldova shouldn't exist, but I'm not suggesting they be displaced or cleansed, just absorbed into Romania.

There's nowhere for Israelis to go without the existence of Israel.

With that said, Israelis consistently say there is no such thing as a Palestinian. I'd say the coworker's speech, while ill advised for the workplace, is essentially the same.
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:This is absolutely not OK. Can you imagine if that coworker said something against blacks, Hispanics, or worse, if he were white and said discriminatory and racist things against any other race. It’s not OK just because he said something against Jewish people.


He didn’t say something with against Jewish people. He said something against another country.

Really dumb and inappropriate to state that at work, but also not appropriate to equate people with countries.


Please. If someone said something during a dinner with Muslim colleagues about how Hamas committed atrocities on 10/7, it would not be appropriate either even though it's true and the coworker is of course not Hamas. Bringing up anything about this current war in a work context especially around Muslim or Jewish coworkers is a shitty move meant to antagonize or hurt.


This is the most important piece. In the workplace, we need to try not to traumatize and hurt one another. This sometimes means keeping our own counsel.

On the other hand, the co-worker here is watching a real time genocide. I'd argue the onus is on everyone around him to show some grace as he watches his countrypeople (and possibly family) starve to death and be bombed.
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