In 2018, I was living in Israel while researching a book about the country’s fight against groups that challenge its legitimacy.

Every Wednesday, a new batch of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream arrived at my local supermarket, and I would snap up as many tubs of vanilla as I could. By Thursday, there’d be none left. Clearly, Israelis love their Ben & Jerry’s – which makes up about 75% of the premium ice cream market in Israel.

Still, even I was surprised by the ferocity of the Israeli reaction to Ben & Jerry’s announcement on July 19, 2021, that it would no longer sell its ice cream in Palestinian territories occupied by Israel. Many Israelis on my social media feed were outraged. Politicians condemned Ben & Jerry’s as “anti-Israel” and urged American lawmakers to sanction the South Burlington, Vermont-based company. Some states are already preparing to do just that.

I think Jews (in any country) can be rightfully concerned about Israel’s present course and do what they can to change it; many are, and many do.

That doesn’t make them anti-Israel.

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pdq
That doesn’t make them anti-Israel.

There seems to be very little room for sincere debate on nearly any topic involving israel.

This will be used as yet another excuse to physically and politically attack Jews across the world.

(The latest Gaza conflict is an example of this. Almost anything is a reason to feed the Jew haters.)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2021 10:32AM by Steve G..

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Steve G.
This will be used as yet another excuse to physically and politically attack Jews across the world.

(The latest Gaza conflict is an example of this. Almost anything is a reason to feed the Jew haters.)

Almost anything said against Israel is enough for you to make the same complaint. You are a one note poster.

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JoeH

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Steve G.
This will be used as yet another excuse to physically and politically attack Jews across the world.

(The latest Gaza conflict is an example of this. Almost anything is a reason to feed the Jew haters.)

Almost anything said against Israel is enough for you to make the same complaint. You are a one note poster.

Tell that to the numerous Jews who were attacked in Britain and Europe during the last Gaza conflict. You apparently have little idea of how anti-Semitism works in the real world.

Wht do Ira and Barry think?

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Steve G.

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JoeH

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Steve G.
This will be used as yet another excuse to physically and politically attack Jews across the world.

(The latest Gaza conflict is an example of this. Almost anything is a reason to feed the Jew haters.)

Almost anything said against Israel is enough for you to make the same complaint. You are a one note poster.

Tell that to the numerous Jews who were attacked in Britain and Europe during the last Gaza conflict. You apparently have little idea of how anti-Semitism works in the real world.

Standard Steve G. answer. Makes many assumptions, little of value.

I almost always regret visiting a thread on Israel here at MRF. This is an outlier topic where the discussion never seems to be collegial or open.

Just noting before I head back to the rest of MRF and hope that this can change.

But the lack of a civil discourse at a place like MRF represents one challenge at addressing ANY issues with Israel around the world.

Ice Cream is a cinch to make yourself.

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sekker
I almost always regret visiting a thread on Israel here at MRF.

Me too. Anymore I tend to just either skim read or, more and more, just skip them altogether.

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e pluribus unum

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Ted King

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sekker
I almost always regret visiting a thread on Israel here at MRF.

Me too. Anymore I tend to just either skim read or, more and more, just skip them altogether.

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If you want to fix our country, work with us in the states. statesproject.org

"Success isn't about how much money you make. It is about the difference you make in people's lives."--Michelle Obama

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JoeH

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Steve G.

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JoeH

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Steve G.
This will be used as yet another excuse to physically and politically attack Jews across the world.

(The latest Gaza conflict is an example of this. Almost anything is a reason to feed the Jew haters.)

Almost anything said against Israel is enough for you to make the same complaint. You are a one note poster.

Tell that to the numerous Jews who were attacked in Britain and Europe during the last Gaza conflict. You apparently have little idea of how anti-Semitism works in the real world.

Standard Steve G. answer. Makes many assumptions, little of value.

British Jews' fear and defiance amid record monthly anti-Semitism reports
[www.bbc.com]

A monthly record number of reports of anti-Semitic incidents were recorded following the 11-day conflict between Israel and the Palestinians in May, a charity says. So how does it feel to be Jewish in the UK?

Rabbi Nicky Liss had been preparing to give a midnight talk at a north London synagogue last month, when he began to feel nervous.

A rabbi of 13 years, he was used to giving speeches. This one, to mark the start of the Jewish festival of Shavuot on 16 May, should not, on the face of it, have been any different.

But that afternoon, events built to what he describes as a "crescendo".

He'd learned that his good friend and fellow rabbi, Rafi Goodwin, had been attacked outside his synagogue in Chigwell, in Essex - allegedly struck over the head with a brick.

Two men have denied causing grievous bodily harm, robbery and religiously aggravated criminal damage and are due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court for trial in November.

In a separate incident that afternoon, a man was filmed apparently using a megaphone to shout anti-Semitic abuse from a convoy of cars with Palestinian flags that travelled through St John's Wood in north-west London - an area that is home to a Jewish community. Four men were arrested and remain on bail until mid-July.

Over the next few hours, worried phone calls and messages buzzed through Mr Liss's community. Some feared the situation in north London could become "very threatening" by the evening.

[www.theguardian.com]

A charity that monitors antisemitism and provides security for British Jewish groups has recorded a “horrific surge” in racist attacks in the past month which campaigners said “surpassed anything we have seen before”.

The Community Security Trust (CST) recorded 351 antisemitic incidents between 8 and 31 May, more than for any single month since records began in 1986.

The CST said the rise was fuelled by antisemitic reactions to the escalation of violence in Israel and Gaza. It called the situation “utterly predictable and completely disgraceful”.

The previous highest number of antisemitic incidents, 314, was recorded in July 2014, which also coincided with an escalation in violence in the Middle East.

The Campaign Against Antisemitism cited physical beatings and vandalism, chants and placards at rallies, social media abuse and threats to Jewish children at schools and universities as examples of the hostility faced by British Jews.

“None of these should be features of life in Britain in 2021, but they are for Jewish people,” a spokesperson said. “Ultimately, the blame lies with the racist perpetrators of these cowardly incidents. But some politicians, the media, social media companies and others have done their part in tolerating or even stoking the hate. It is vital that the police investigate incidents as they arise and bring offenders to justice.

“In a year defined by solidarity against racism worldwide, it is extraordinary how little support there is out there for Britain’s Jews. Racism against Jews just doesn’t seem to count.”

[ec.europa.eu]

Experiences and perceptions of antisemitism/Second survey on discrimination and hate crime against Jews in the EU

Upon request of the European Commission, the Fundamental Rights Agency conducted a survey on Jewish people’s experiences with hate crime, discrimination and antisemitism in the European Union – the biggest survey of Jewish people ever conducted worldwide. Covering 12 EU Member States, which are home to 95% of European Jewish population, the survey reached almost 16,500 individuals who identify as being Jewish.

Nine in 10 (89 %) Jews consider that antisemitism has increased in their country, with more than eight in 10 (85 %) considering it to be a serious problem. Jews around Europe rate antisemitism as the biggest social or political problem where they live.

They assess antisemitism as being most problematic on the internet and on social media (89 %), followed by public spaces (73 %), media (71 %) and in political life (70 %). The most common antisemitic statements Jews come across – and on a regular basis – include that “Israelis behave like Nazis toward Palestinians” (51 %), that “Jews have too much power” (43 %) and that “Jews exploit Holocaust victimhood for their own purposes” (35 %). Respondents most commonly come across such statements online (80 %), followed by media other than the internet (56 %) and at political events (48 %).

The survey showed that hundreds of Jews personally experienced an antisemitic physical attack. More than one in four (28 %) experienced antisemitic harassment at least once. Nearly half of them worried about being subjected to antisemitic verbal insults or harassment (47 %), and four in 10 worried about an antisemitic physical attack (40 %).

One in three (34 %) respondents avoid visiting Jewish events or sites because they do not feel safe as Jews when there or on their way there. More than one third considered emigrating (38 %) in the five years preceding the survey because they did not feel safe as Jews in the country where they live.

The rise of antisemitism online during the pandemic

The findings of the study on The rise of antisemitism online during the pandemic. A study of French and German content commissioned by the European Commission and conducted by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), comparing the first two months of 2020 with the first two of 2021, show a seven-fold increase in antisemitic content on Twitter, Facebook and Telegram in French, and over a thirteen-fold increase in antisemitic content in German.

Antisemitic content in French on Facebook was also engaged with through likes, comments and shares over half a million times between 1 January 2020 and 8 March 2021. Content in French received over three million retweets and likes on Twitter. Antisemitic content in German on Telegram was viewed over two billion times in the same period. The study also found a proliferation of ‘grey area’ content, which likely did not contravene legal thresholds around hate speech or Holocaust denial in France or Germany, but which nonetheless has the potential to be harmful.

Well, I guess this means that everything Jewish is perfect because stating the alternative is physically attacking someone.

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mattkime
Well, I guess this means that everything Jewish is perfect because stating the alternative is physically attacking someone.

No, it means that whenever there is an excuse available, anti-Semitic attacks increase.

The Ben and Jerry's reporting is being used to justify vilification of Israel and may result in the increase of harm against Jewish people. The Unilever vigorous disavowals of the B&J company's actions are an indication of this.

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I should make it clear once again that I object strongly to many Israeli West Bank policies, voiced many years against Netanyahu and his coalition and have welcomed the inclusion of Arab MKs in the new more centrist Israeli government. I am sure you will ignore this and continue with your simplistic criticisms of my postings.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2021 06:10PM by Steve G..

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JoeH

Standard Steve G. answer. Makes many assumptions, little of value.

Hey, Joe H...how'd you like the BBC, Guardian and EU reports? Too many assumptions...or maybe you'll subscribe to facts when presented.

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You apparently have little idea of how anti-Semitism works in the real world.

It's sad that we have an example of Ben & Jerry's point right before us. Many people are incapable of critical thought.

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“Every great and deep difficulty bears in itself its own solution. It forces us to change our thinking in order to find it."

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August West

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You apparently have little idea of how anti-Semitism works in the real world.

It's sad that we have an example of Ben & Jerry's point right before us. Many people are incapable of critical thought.

Yes, those news reports are false...right?

If i disagree with the israeli policies (which i do), i don't believe a BDS boycott tactic is useful, and as I said, only leads to more anti-Israel hatred with more knock-on anti-Jewish behavior around the world.
*****************
and while we are at it Augie, in your continuing personal antipathy towards me, have you ever stated a fact...or an opinion...or anything except insults and animus?
Your slanderous no-content posts serve no use at all.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/30/2021 09:41PM by Steve G..

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Steve G.

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JoeH

Standard Steve G. answer. Makes many assumptions, little of value.

Hey, Joe H...how'd you like the BBC, Guardian and EU reports? Too many assumptions...or maybe you'll subscribe to facts when presented.

Just more of the same from you. Quite frankly, you are the boy who cried wolf too often. You might be right every once in a while, but not often enough to pay attention to.

so the BBC, Guardian, EU, are liars?

IMHO, ANY "religious state"* is a recipe for disaster.


*As opposed to a state religion.

not that it is germane to this discussion:
'How many Muslim states are there?
According to the Pew Research Center, there are a total of 50 Muslim-majority nations in the world. However, according to World Atlas, there are 45 Islamic countries.
An Islamic state is a form of government which is based on Islamic law.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 07/31/2021 11:23AM by Steve G..

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Steve G.
not that it is germane to this discussion:
'How many Muslim states are there?
According to the Pew Research Center, there are a total of 50 Muslim-majority nations in the world. However, according to World Atlas, there are 45 Islamic countries.
An Islamic state is a form of government which is based on Islamic law.

That most assuredly does not alter my opinion. Might I say it reinforces it?

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Steve G.

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JoeH

Standard Steve G. answer. Makes many assumptions, little of value.

Hey, Joe H...how'd you like the BBC, Guardian and EU reports? Too many assumptions...or maybe you'll subscribe to facts when presented.

Since when did you think the BBC and the Guardian are good sources for news about Jews? lol

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DeusxMac

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Steve G.
not that it is germane to this discussion:
'How many Muslim states are there?
According to the Pew Research Center, there are a total of 50 Muslim-majority nations in the world. However, according to World Atlas, there are 45 Islamic countries.
An Islamic state is a form of government which is based on Islamic law.

That most assuredly does not alter my opinion. Might I say it reinforces it?

I thought it might.

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$tevie

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Steve G.

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JoeH

Standard Steve G. answer. Makes many assumptions, little of value.

Hey, Joe H...how'd you like the BBC, Guardian and EU reports? Too many assumptions...or maybe you'll subscribe to facts when presented.

Since when did you think the BBC and the Guardian are good sources for news about Jews? lol

I deliberately chose two sources that have never been recognized as at all friendly towards Israel just to highlight how blatant the hatred problem has become...even they can't deny it.

anti antisemitism, like racism, and other no reasons to hate, are here to stay.
humans are a hateful, warring, species, out to own their piece of the earth at any cost and ruin it for others if not.

B&Js boycott, totally get it and for it.
It's B&Js right to do. Kind of like sanctions against Russia and other pond scum.
I could care less what Israel or right wing thumping American Jews have to say about it.

We boycotted Goya coz CEO Unanue believes that wazziz name won the Presidency. Cosmetic boycotts, NRA, fashion houses, banks, the list goes on forever.

Why shouldn't B&J, Jews themselves, have the right to boycott Israel occupied?

No country is ever gonna totally drop support for Israel.
Too much science, technology, cyber apps, and hot ex-Mossad babes comes from there.
Not just Wonder Woman.

let them eat Nina Häagen-Dazs.

as far as Palestine goes, no Arab country shows them much love.
Europeans are just talk.
Until Hamas changes their view of Israels right to be and them and the PLO can becomes one gummint, nothing gonna change is that neck of the woods.

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!#$@@$#!

never do yesterday or today what you can put off til tomorrow or next year.

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Fritz
anti antisemitism, like racism, and other no reasons to hate, are here to stay.
humans are a hateful, warring, species, out to own their piece of the earth at any cost and ruin it for others if not.

B&Js boycott, totally get it and for it.
It's B&Js right to do. Kind of like sanctions against Russia and other pond scum.
I could care less what Israel or right wing thumping American Jews have to say about it.

We boycotted Goya coz CEO Unanue believes that wazziz name won the Presidency. Cosmetic boycotts, NRA, fashion houses, banks, the list goes on forever.

Why shouldn't B&J, Jews themselves, have the right to boycott Israel occupied?

No country is ever gonna totally drop support for Israel.
Too much science, technology, cyber apps, and hot ex-Mossad babes comes from there.
Not just Wonder Woman.

let them eat Nina Häagen-Dazs.

as far as Palestine goes, no Arab country shows them much love.
Europeans are just talk.
Until Hamas changes their view of Israels right to be and them and the PLO can becomes one gummint, nothing gonna change is that neck of the woods.

I love it when you write.

I'm not just car photos and dumb questions.

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!#$@@$#!

never do yesterday or today what you can put off til tomorrow or next year.