Israel recalls envoys from all over the world.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 01 Jan 2010, 16:17

Shira wrote:It's not outright anti-Semitic, no, but "what a stupid time for New Year" makes me a leetle uncomfortable,

Sorry. Absolutely no offence was intended. Only humour. Perhaps you could explain, as I really haven't the foggiest notion, why Israel celebrates New Year in September rather than at the beginning of January. I gather they use the Gregorian Calendar and Gregory was a Roman Catholic pope so I presume this has nothing to do with religion?

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 01 Jan 2010, 16:45

This thread has descended into Politically Correct nonsense.

If any Jewish PowerSwitcher has been offended I'm sure that they will let you know.

goslow · Post by **goslow** » 01 Jan 2010, 16:55

Someone who is Jewish might be able to correct me, but I think the timing of Jewish New Year it goes back to ancient times and may be related to the timing of the completion of the harvest in the middle east. Its part of a series of holidays round that time related to repentence (Yom Kippur etc). Though its called Jewish New Year in English, its not actually the first month in the Jewish year.

Israelis still celebrate New Year on January 1st as well but its not a public holiday.

Ludwig · Post by **Ludwig** » 01 Jan 2010, 17:31

Vortex wrote:This thread has descended into Politically Correct nonsense.

If any Jewish PowerSwitcher has been offended I'm sure that they will let you know.

I believe Shira is Jewish.

I've observed that quite often liberals whose atavistic desire to stick the boot in is denied by their principles will jump at the chance to engage in borderline antisemitism under the guise of support for the underdog.

What I mean is that they go beyond criticising current Israeli policy to imply that all Israelis and even all Jews are complicit in its actions.

madibe · Post by **madibe** » 01 Jan 2010, 17:56

Vortex wrote:
This thread has descended into Politically Correct nonsense.

If any Jewish PowerSwitcher has been offended I'm sure that they will let you know.

I believe Shira is Jewish.

The Flying Spaggetti Monster strikes again. Totally agree regarding political correctness. I'm Norski as far as I can tell...east coast, with a surname that refers to norsk invasion. I use the word f*ck a lot, so I am probably Viking. Anybody wishes to take the piss out of my heritage please feel free. Perhaps we can have a good laugh. To top it all my home town is Hull, the arsehole of the known universe (IMHO) so please get to it.

Honestly (political incorrectness warning...). Why are religious & middle eastern peeps so bloody touchy? Get real. Stop being precious about your religion / blood line / favourite camel.

Note the use of 'camel'... that to me is a joke. You could just as easily refer to my hometown smelling of fish.

... well it did when it had a trawler fleet!

We all cock up. We all use too much water, make bad use of energy and have holidays at insane times of the year. I'm sure no offence was meant regarding your country's use of water (we get a lot here) and also I'm sure that having a new year in September is just dandy. So Shira, suck it up, smile and chill.

Smile.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 01 Jan 2010, 18:16

I came to PowerSwitch from peakoil.com because I got sick of the anti-semitism over there.

I haven't noticed any over here yet - including in this thread.

Aurora · Post by **Aurora** » 01 Jan 2010, 18:49

Ludwig wrote:Comments like "I hope we aren't invited" referring to Jewish new year I think are silly and there is a definite undertone of antisemitism to them. The whole smug liberal "Palestinians good, Israelis bad" agenda is something I've always found pretty distasteful.

I'm afraid (apparently like Renewable Candy) that I completely misunderstood Biff's quote - 'New Year's Party'?

I wrongly assumed that he was being cynical and referring to the possibility of some military action in the Middle East.

I fervently hope that the UK is 'not invited' to attend any such future event, although I suspect that our 'special relationships' will dictate otherwise should the need arise.

I do not consider myself to be a racist in any way, shape or form as many of my previous posts (See Omega3) will amply demonstrate.

If any reader or member of the forum finds any of my remarks offensive, I wholeheartedly apologise. Happy New Year.

EDIT: Shira, judging by many of your previous posts, you seem to be overly sensitive (IMHO) to any comments about religion or obesity.

I honestly don't believe that any of the forum members have deliberately set out to insult you personally and I would suggest that it's time for you to step out of the cotton wool and onto a few egg shells. Life's too short to let every innocent, off-the-cuff remark turn into a mind game.

JohnB · Post by **JohnB** » 01 Jan 2010, 18:56

This is the problem with organised religion. Israel = Jewish, Britain = Christian. As I understand it, there isn't enough water to go round in the area around Israel, and the Israelis use more than their fair share. They also aren't particularly nice to the Palestinians. That seems to be a problem with the people with power in Israel, but does it matter whether they are Jewish, Christian, Atheist or Flying Spaghetti Monsterians? They're just people with power and influence, like people in that position all over the world. Adding religious labels to it just complicates things, and makes mountains out of molehills, or big mountains out of little ones

.

madibe · Post by **madibe** » 01 Jan 2010, 19:09

John B +1

does it matter whether they are Jewish, Christian, Atheist or Flying Spaghetti Monsterians? They're just people with power and influence, like people in that position all over the world. Adding religious labels to it just complicates things

Yep, my thoughts too.

biffvernon · Post by **biffvernon** » 01 Jan 2010, 19:57

Aurora wrote: I'm afraid (apparently like Renewable Candy) that I completely misunderstood Biff's quote - 'New Year's Party'?

I wrongly assumed that he was being cynical and referring to the possibility of some military action in the Middle East.

Ha! It really was just a light-hearted quip. These guys were being brought home just in time for New Year's Eve and while some were, possible rightly, conjecturing geopolitical machinations, I just suggested they might be having a party. I had no idea that Israelis didn't do New Year partying at this time of the year. Or maybe they do? It's just that New Year's Day isn't a Public Holiday. After all, it was only several years ago that it became a Bank Holiday in England and Wales. Formally it was just a Scottish thing.

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 01 Jan 2010, 21:15

Shira wrote:You all realise that this website is actually visible to Jewish people, right?

Yes. Like my marvellous other 1/2.

Vortex · Post by **Vortex** » 01 Jan 2010, 22:46

Life's too short to let every innocent, off-the-cuff remark turn into a mind game.

Exactly.

I went to a school with many Jewish children, and later I have worked with many Jewish people and quite a few Israelis.

Tough as nails - and very bright - the lot of them!