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Culture War Roundup for the week of November 18, 2024

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I suspect the majority of these people are only Jewish by parentage and don't actually live their lives in any way that's discernably Jewish (happy to be proven wrong on this)

This is an old argument that we've seen a lot of times before. "I suspect the majority of these people are only Scottish by parentage, and don't actually live their lives in any way that's discernibly and truly Scottish". But either way there's a decently sized population of orthodox jews who reject Israel for scriptural reasons as well.

Your second point is being litigated in another post so I won't respond to it here.

This is an old argument that we've seen a lot of times before. "I suspect the majority of these people are only Scottish by parentage, and don't actually live their lives in any way that's discernibly and truly Scottish".

That doesn't make it any less valid. Biden got a lot of flak for his whole "I'm Irish" shtick. But at least he invoked his heritage fairly frequently and in a variety of situations. It's clear it meant something to him. I strongly suspect that for the majority of these "I'm Jewish and I don't like Israel" types their Judaism means nothing to them in any other context.

But either way there's a decently sized population of orthodox jews who reject Israel for scriptural reasons as well.

Sure, but I don't know what relation that bears to non-orthodox Jews who are anti-Israel.

I strongly suspect that for the majority of these "I'm Jewish and I don't like Israel" types their Judaism means nothing to them in any other context.

Who cares? That doesn't change the fact that they're Jewish, any more than I would become black for not supporting white nationalists. Again, unless you're willing to endorse Rachel Dolezal transracialism this doesn't stop them from being Jewish, in many cases loudly and proudly so. They qualify for Aaliyah to Israel, they would be granted citizenship if they went - even the Israeli government considers these people jews. Alternatively, if you've got some kind of proof that you are an official arbiter of Judaism who can tell people whether or not they're authentically Jewish, you get to make this argument. Otherwise it's just another plate of warmed up haggis.

Sure, but I don't know what relation that bears to non-orthodox Jews who are anti-Israel.

They're an example of jews for whom their Jewishness is a central element of their life and still oppose Israel. Some of them are left wing as well, some not.

Who cares?

Anyone who feels the fact that they're Jewish gives them some sort of special credibility when it comes to criticising Israel. Which is sort of what these people want to imply, otherwise why point out that they're Jewish at all?

They're an example of jews for whom their Jewishness is a central element of their life and still oppose Israel.

Right, but they'd oppose it whether or not there was a war in Gaza. Given that's what this discussion is all about, their opinion isn't relevant.