A very uncomfortable situation- how to handle

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not Jewish, and I am completely against the genocidal actions of Israel.

I think this woman and many like her have really struggled after a lifetime of brainwashing and cognitive dissonance. It's okay to disagree with her politically and yet to empathize with her distress. You feel for your friend, and it's okay to reach out to her.

This is not a religious issue, though it's close to her due to her religious identity.

Wow yeah ok: “Your belief that you experienced antisemitism is all in your head - the Jews brainwashed you.”

OP hopefully comments like this can make you understand why this woman noped out. Even if the comments were just about Gaza and couldn’t be seen any other way, she had no way of knowing what kind of bizarrely offensive comment might pop out of the mouth of someone who would never make the equivalent comment about other groups. Maybe she just did not want to take that risk at that moment.

FWIW, I (also Jewish) read that "brainwashing" line as referring to brainwashing about Israel, not brainwashing about antisemitism.

I don’t believe you are Jewish. You thought the comment “The Jews brainwashed you” is an okay statement? Can you share another group that you think that would be okay to say that to/about?

I never said "the Jews brainwashed you".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not Jewish, and I am completely against the genocidal actions of Israel.

I think this woman and many like her have really struggled after a lifetime of brainwashing and cognitive dissonance. It's okay to disagree with her politically and yet to empathize with her distress. You feel for your friend, and it's okay to reach out to her.

This is not a religious issue, though it's close to her due to her religious identity.

Wow yeah ok: “Your belief that you experienced antisemitism is all in your head - the Jews brainwashed you.”

OP hopefully comments like this can make you understand why this woman noped out. Even if the comments were just about Gaza and couldn’t be seen any other way, she had no way of knowing what kind of bizarrely offensive comment might pop out of the mouth of someone who would never make the equivalent comment about other groups. Maybe she just did not want to take that risk at that moment.

FWIW, I (also Jewish) read that "brainwashing" line as referring to brainwashing about Israel, not brainwashing about antisemitism.

Yes, that's what I meant. I've heard it from so many people questioning what they've been taught all their lives by people they trusted. Many people were taught the Nakba didn't even happen. That is brainwashing. These are good, decent, American Jews who've been taught lies for political reasons.

Just stop troll.

[Anonymous]

Jewish here and APPALLED at what Israel is going, the satanic government and how they are killing it for all Jews around the world. GIVING US A BAD NAME INDEED.

Everyone is hypersensitive on either side but Israel in my eyes is now indefensible. She should have put on her big girls patns and realized that! Its not against Jews in general but the genocide that Israel and its govt are committing I have not problem separating the two. HATE what he is doing to all innocent Jews around the world.

I don't think you owe a phone call, leave it along- as your DH suggested. It will just further the divide.

[Anonymous]

Sorry for typos was using siri!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a jewish (American) person who doesn't want to hear people bash Israel, I would appreciate the call from you. Yes, a lot of what Israel is doing is atrocious but this country has been defending themselves from all sides for their entire "life".

I have never heard ANYONE unleash on the IDF without ALSO talking smack about Jewish people. THAT is the real issue for me. Their antisemitism comes roaring out, and they can't/won't see that.

I am genuinely not trying to be inflammatory but I do find your last paragraph hard to believe. Have you not spoken with any of the many Jewish voices against instances of IDF brutality?

Ditto. I have never seen this.

Blasting the Israeli government and the IDF, and US support of Israel? Totally fair game. But I'm heavily in the "pro-Gaza" community of voices and have never once heard someone blame Jewish people. Israelis and Zionism? Yes, but not Jews.

The only people blaming Jewish people for the atrocities are the fringe loonies. The vast majority of thinking people can separate a people from its government. Heck, we're all relying on the rest of the world to understand that we hate Trump and his hard right harmful policies. We could hardly do less for Jewish folks who are similarly saddled with an association they didn't want.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Have you ever been in a conversation with MAGA? I have, I have had people tell me thy don’t support LGBTQ rights and they want to deport all foreigners to my face and I was the only one defending it. People are not always going to agree with you and that’s ok. The group did nothing wrong. Your friend needs to grow up. If you call your friend to check in on her, it sends the message that you think her views are right but you couldn’t speak up at the group setting. She might even get mad that you didn’t defend her. I think your husband is right on this, leave it alone.

You got it reversed. In this scenario you are Jewish mom and ring leader is the MAGA.

And yet MAGA only agrees with the friend who walked out. You don't see that parallel?

No, because it does not exist. The great majority of US Jews vote Democrat. For some reason you want to make a parallel happen that’s not there. In fact you don’t even know what walk-out mom thinks at all.

Lol, I have a ton of friends, all Jewish, all Democrat, as I am. Some I've known my whole life, and some are relatives. I am watching one after another siding with MAGA's rhetoric on Israel, even if they are sick of Trump. Some actually voted for Trump in November, which is just unbelievable. If you knew these people, you'd be stunned. They are posting propaganda on social media, arguing with bizarre biblical references for Israel's rights in all this, and now denigrating our long time Senatorial heroes for supporting a Gaza ceasefire. Yes, I know exactly why that Mom walked out. This dinner conversation was directly opposing her long held narrative. I've been watching this since October 7 2023.

Secondly, I have a entire other set of friends and relatives who are orthodox - they are all MAGA and have been from the beginning. Full stop.

This is what you don't understand. This conflict was designed to fo exactly this. And it worked. Last election, the right and left were divided. This election happened because the left was divided, in addition to the right and left. Now we have some unlikely bedfellows that no one understands how to deal with. I've been in more uncomfortable and shocking dinner conversations in the last year that I would have ever wanted. To the woman who walked out- why? Stay and debate. Maybe it's becoming too hard to (?)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not Jewish, and I am completely against the genocidal actions of Israel.

I think this woman and many like her have really struggled after a lifetime of brainwashing and cognitive dissonance. It's okay to disagree with her politically and yet to empathize with her distress. You feel for your friend, and it's okay to reach out to her.

This is not a religious issue, though it's close to her due to her religious identity.

Wow yeah ok: “Your belief that you experienced antisemitism is all in your head - the Jews brainwashed you.”

OP hopefully comments like this can make you understand why this woman noped out. Even if the comments were just about Gaza and couldn’t be seen any other way, she had no way of knowing what kind of bizarrely offensive comment might pop out of the mouth of someone who would never make the equivalent comment about other groups. Maybe she just did not want to take that risk at that moment.

FWIW, I (also Jewish) read that "brainwashing" line as referring to brainwashing about Israel, not brainwashing about antisemitism.

Yes, that's what I meant. I've heard it from so many people questioning what they've been taught all their lives by people they trusted. Many people were taught the Nakba didn't even happen. That is brainwashing. These are good, decent, American Jews who've been taught lies for political reasons.

Just stop troll.

I'm not a troll. Just someone asking for empathy for people who've been raised to believe Israel is an innocent victim their whole lives. It's hard to see and reconcile what's happening. It brings up all sorts of strange reactions. You can disagree with your friend, but if she's a decent person, keep the friendship, check in on her, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am not Jewish, and I am completely against the genocidal actions of Israel.

I think this woman and many like her have really struggled after a lifetime of brainwashing and cognitive dissonance. It's okay to disagree with her politically and yet to empathize with her distress. You feel for your friend, and it's okay to reach out to her.

This is not a religious issue, though it's close to her due to her religious identity.

Wow yeah ok: “Your belief that you experienced antisemitism is all in your head - the Jews brainwashed you.”

OP hopefully comments like this can make you understand why this woman noped out. Even if the comments were just about Gaza and couldn’t be seen any other way, she had no way of knowing what kind of bizarrely offensive comment might pop out of the mouth of someone who would never make the equivalent comment about other groups. Maybe she just did not want to take that risk at that moment.

FWIW, I (also Jewish) read that "brainwashing" line as referring to brainwashing about Israel, not brainwashing about antisemitism.

Yes, that's what I meant. I've heard it from so many people questioning what they've been taught all their lives by people they trusted. Many people were taught the Nakba didn't even happen. That is brainwashing. These are good, decent, American Jews who've been taught lies for political reasons.

Just stop troll.

I'm not a troll. Just someone asking for empathy for people who've been raised to believe Israel is an innocent victim their whole lives. It's hard to see and reconcile what's happening. It brings up all sorts of strange reactions. You can disagree with your friend, but if she's a decent person, keep the friendship, check in on her, etc.

I will second this. I am not a troll either, but this poster explains, in this post, and probably a few others, exactly how I feel. I've written my piece. It's time for some serious introspection with regard to this conflict. And I'm counting on my Jewish contemporaries to do the necessary mind work regarding this conflict.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

It sounds like she's uncomfortable with truth. It might be time for her to wake up to reality, even if it's uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she was targeted or blamed because she's Jewish (and she should absolutely not be), but ethically, walking away when you feel uncomfortable is a bit childish. There are so many Jews of conscience who abhor what Israel is doing - this isn't a religious thing, it's a political litmus test.

The attacker was childish. They had a nice interfaith group going and she ruined it because she wanted to school a Jew.

Who was attacked?!

You have no idea what was said or how it was said. She walked out so what we do know is that she felt uncomfortable. You never speak about politics at the table as you have no idea where people stand. I don’t agree with all of my friends on their views, so I don’t bring things up. I also don’t post on social media. OP has to decide whether politics or her friendship more important.

Way to jump to conclusions. OP has never said that the one person attacked the friend who left. You're imparting your own assumptions. There is no evidence in OP's post that anyone was remotely attacked, either physically or verbally. Sometimes people "feel attacked" but it means the issue lies within you, not in others actual actions or words.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

It sounds like she's uncomfortable with truth. It might be time for her to wake up to reality, even if it's uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she was targeted or blamed because she's Jewish (and she should absolutely not be), but ethically, walking away when you feel uncomfortable is a bit childish. There are so many Jews of conscience who abhor what Israel is doing - this isn't a religious thing, it's a political litmus test.

Which is completely inappropriate at a monthly mom’s dinner.

I’d reach out and check in with her op.

Completely appropriate to discuss world events. These are intelligent women meeting for dinner. It’s not trad wife recipe sharing time.

You have the right to bring up controversial topics that you may handle poorly at a mom brunch. Then other moms have the right to leave and not come back.

DP. True. But leaving and getting up when discussing real events that have had fatal consequences on others, is highly immature. Also, genocide isn't "controversial." And if you can't or don't want to talk about it because it makes you uncomfortable... then perhaps think about why you feel so uncomfortable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

It sounds like she's uncomfortable with truth. It might be time for her to wake up to reality, even if it's uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she was targeted or blamed because she's Jewish (and she should absolutely not be), but ethically, walking away when you feel uncomfortable is a bit childish. There are so many Jews of conscience who abhor what Israel is doing - this isn't a religious thing, it's a political litmus test.

The attacker was childish. They had a nice interfaith group going and she ruined it because she wanted to school a Jew.

Who was attacked?!

You have no idea what was said or how it was said. She walked out so what we do know is that she felt uncomfortable. You never speak about politics at the table as you have no idea where people stand. I don’t agree with all of my friends on their views, so I don’t bring things up. I also don’t post on social media. OP has to decide whether politics or her friendship more important.

Way to jump to conclusions. OP has never said that the one person attacked the friend who left. You're imparting your own assumptions. There is no evidence in OP's post that anyone was remotely attacked, either physically or verbally. Sometimes people "feel attacked" but it means the issue lies within you, not in others actual actions or words.

She felt attacked and she left. You may feel like you can randomly corner Jews about Israel and demand perfect allegiance to your viewpoint or else. Don’t be surprised if they leave. It’s too bad because there is often something to agree about. With that confrontational tactic? No. No minds will ever open or be changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

It sounds like she's uncomfortable with truth. It might be time for her to wake up to reality, even if it's uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she was targeted or blamed because she's Jewish (and she should absolutely not be), but ethically, walking away when you feel uncomfortable is a bit childish. There are so many Jews of conscience who abhor what Israel is doing - this isn't a religious thing, it's a political litmus test.

The attacker was childish. They had a nice interfaith group going and she ruined it because she wanted to school a Jew.

Who was attacked?!

You have no idea what was said or how it was said. She walked out so what we do know is that she felt uncomfortable. You never speak about politics at the table as you have no idea where people stand. I don’t agree with all of my friends on their views, so I don’t bring things up. I also don’t post on social media. OP has to decide whether politics or her friendship more important.

Way to jump to conclusions. OP has never said that the one person attacked the friend who left. You're imparting your own assumptions. There is no evidence in OP's post that anyone was remotely attacked, either physically or verbally. Sometimes people "feel attacked" but it means the issue lies within you, not in others actual actions or words.

She felt attacked and she left. You may feel like you can randomly corner Jews about Israel and demand perfect allegiance to your viewpoint or else. Don’t be surprised if they leave. It’s too bad because there is often something to agree about. With that confrontational tactic? No. No minds will ever open or be changed.

It's a human rights issue. Whatever religion you are, your own religion can commit atrocities. All religions have some seriously shitty people in them. Either you can stand with them, or against them. If one feels cornered or attacked... it's time for some serious self reflection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

It sounds like she's uncomfortable with truth. It might be time for her to wake up to reality, even if it's uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she was targeted or blamed because she's Jewish (and she should absolutely not be), but ethically, walking away when you feel uncomfortable is a bit childish. There are so many Jews of conscience who abhor what Israel is doing - this isn't a religious thing, it's a political litmus test.

The attacker was childish. They had a nice interfaith group going and she ruined it because she wanted to school a Jew.

Who was attacked?!

You have no idea what was said or how it was said. She walked out so what we do know is that she felt uncomfortable. You never speak about politics at the table as you have no idea where people stand. I don’t agree with all of my friends on their views, so I don’t bring things up. I also don’t post on social media. OP has to decide whether politics or her friendship more important.

Way to jump to conclusions. OP has never said that the one person attacked the friend who left. You're imparting your own assumptions. There is no evidence in OP's post that anyone was remotely attacked, either physically or verbally. Sometimes people "feel attacked" but it means the issue lies within you, not in others actual actions or words.

She felt attacked and she left. You may feel like you can randomly corner Jews about Israel and demand perfect allegiance to your viewpoint or else. Don’t be surprised if they leave. It’s too bad because there is often something to agree about. With that confrontational tactic? No. No minds will ever open or be changed.

It's a human rights issue. Whatever religion you are, your own religion can commit atrocities. All religions have some seriously shitty people in them. Either you can stand with them, or against them. If one feels cornered or attacked... it's time for some serious self reflection.

Sure, which is why you should condemn Hamas as well and then people will be willing to engage in discussion. If you can’t do that… right back at you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

It sounds like she's uncomfortable with truth. It might be time for her to wake up to reality, even if it's uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she was targeted or blamed because she's Jewish (and she should absolutely not be), but ethically, walking away when you feel uncomfortable is a bit childish. There are so many Jews of conscience who abhor what Israel is doing - this isn't a religious thing, it's a political litmus test.

The attacker was childish. They had a nice interfaith group going and she ruined it because she wanted to school a Jew.

Who was attacked?!

You have no idea what was said or how it was said. She walked out so what we do know is that she felt uncomfortable. You never speak about politics at the table as you have no idea where people stand. I don’t agree with all of my friends on their views, so I don’t bring things up. I also don’t post on social media. OP has to decide whether politics or her friendship more important.

Way to jump to conclusions. OP has never said that the one person attacked the friend who left. You're imparting your own assumptions. There is no evidence in OP's post that anyone was remotely attacked, either physically or verbally. Sometimes people "feel attacked" but it means the issue lies within you, not in others actual actions or words.

She felt attacked and she left. You may feel like you can randomly corner Jews about Israel and demand perfect allegiance to your viewpoint or else. Don’t be surprised if they leave. It’s too bad because there is often something to agree about. With that confrontational tactic? No. No minds will ever open or be changed.

It's a human rights issue. Whatever religion you are, your own religion can commit atrocities. All religions have some seriously shitty people in them. Either you can stand with them, or against them. If one feels cornered or attacked... it's time for some serious self reflection.

Sure, which is why you should condemn Hamas as well and then people will be willing to engage in discussion. If you can’t do that… right back at you.

Everybody condemns Hamas, but the two are not comparable. It's like comparing California being at war against West Virginia. Both can commit wrongs, but they're in vastly different categories. And then of course, California breaking the ceasefire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am friends with a group from my sons school. We get together once a month for lunch or dinner.

So happens we went out for lunch today for our monthly get together. We are a real mix of personalities. Of the 8 of us, 2 are Jewish the rest are mixed religions. We all never bring up politics or religion as an unspoken rule however today the most outspoken of the bunch came out and blasted Israel for what they are doing. She really unloaded, once she got started, she didn't let up (with encouragement from others). We were all kind of surprised and in shock at first. One of the moms (Jewish) is married to a christian husband and is not religious and was one of the first to agree. Then a few others did too. The other Jewish mom however did not take this well. She started to defend whats going on then abruptly got up and said she had to leave early.

Of all the moms, shes the one I am the least close with but I feel badly for how it went. I want to call her just to see how shes doing because I know it was upsetting to her. Not to say I agree with her at all but shes human and no doubt felt really outnumbered as the "ringleader" came on really strong. Should I call or leave it alone?

It sounds like she's uncomfortable with truth. It might be time for her to wake up to reality, even if it's uncomfortable. It doesn't sound like she was targeted or blamed because she's Jewish (and she should absolutely not be), but ethically, walking away when you feel uncomfortable is a bit childish. There are so many Jews of conscience who abhor what Israel is doing - this isn't a religious thing, it's a political litmus test.

The attacker was childish. They had a nice interfaith group going and she ruined it because she wanted to school a Jew.

Who was attacked?!

You have no idea what was said or how it was said. She walked out so what we do know is that she felt uncomfortable. You never speak about politics at the table as you have no idea where people stand. I don’t agree with all of my friends on their views, so I don’t bring things up. I also don’t post on social media. OP has to decide whether politics or her friendship more important.

Way to jump to conclusions. OP has never said that the one person attacked the friend who left. You're imparting your own assumptions. There is no evidence in OP's post that anyone was remotely attacked, either physically or verbally. Sometimes people "feel attacked" but it means the issue lies within you, not in others actual actions or words.

She felt attacked and she left. You may feel like you can randomly corner Jews about Israel and demand perfect allegiance to your viewpoint or else. Don’t be surprised if they leave. It’s too bad because there is often something to agree about. With that confrontational tactic? No. No minds will ever open or be changed.

It's a human rights issue. Whatever religion you are, your own religion can commit atrocities. All religions have some seriously shitty people in them. Either you can stand with them, or against them. If one feels cornered or attacked... it's time for some serious self reflection.

Sure, which is why you should condemn Hamas as well and then people will be willing to engage in discussion. If you can’t do that… right back at you.

Everybody condemns Hamas, but the two are not comparable. It's like comparing California being at war against West Virginia. Both can commit wrongs, but they're in vastly different categories. And then of course, California breaking the ceasefire.

It’s nice you condemn Hamas. You’d be surprised how many actually do not.