There has recently been a huge resurgence in Israel's popularity through myriad born-again Jews who like a wayward flock, once were lost but now are found, even though not eating pork and having a festive dinner Friday night still makes you a shitty Jew. They want to pander their new found faith, love and support for their "homeland" (albeit having been born anywhere else) through all available medias, the most offensive one being Facebook.
As a result of the newest version of Israel: At War with Everyone Again Part 57, there is a constant barrage from people on Facebook who want to tell me how many rockets Hamas has fired and where they hit via their status and some ridiculous QassamCount application (Now available on Twitter!) For those of you who are unaware, QassamCount is a website that can not only tell you how many rockets filled with schranpel were fired into Israel today with 3 live updates, but can also give you a summary of the rocket fire and mortar shelling that occurred in 2008.
When I am possessed to read someone's status update, I don't expect it to tell me that 8 rockets were fired within range of Tel-Aviv. If I wanted to read that, I can read the news. And these statuses aren't playing upon my loyalist Jew sympathies. Hamas fired another rocket, did they? I'm in New York. Quick! What should I do?! Fire back?
This is not to say I don't support Israel because I do - as in just vocally. I support Israel, but I'm not going to get all headstrong about it. However, I find that putting how many rockets hit Be'er Sheva in an attempt to raise awareness almost insults the level of importance for Israel's plight for peace. If you really love Israel and are so super proud to be a Jew, give some money to Israel's version of the Red Cross, to help those who are really affected by the rockets, since people who read it on Facebook can probably care less.
The QassamCount application tells us that by donating our status, we're raising awareness about rockets hitting Israel. Thanks to you, QassamCount, I'm aware. Now how's that bid of mine doing on eBay.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree with you about the status, I actually find it annoying. But I have to say this, for many people donating their status is probably the most they can do. If I see a status like that on Facebook, I assume that that particular person cares about the Israel-Gaza conflict and is looking for a way to show it. Many people are also probably not in a position to donate money.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I think some people are attracted to this issue, as if it is the latest fad. But don't worry, all fads eventually fade and this one will too.
I am a Fairfax Blvd jew. This neighborhood included the Westside Jewish Community Center where I recreated as a child. It's really all I know. In the 1960's growing up, numerous parents were concentration camp victims. But the children who were not to be fated to be there, were exuded from this horror.Hosteling this winter I met a woman from the Israli Army so happy just to be out of there and in New York. Her reality was as foreign to me as if she was from mars. From what people describe, there might be two 'seperate' Israels-one the peaceful land our people toiled for-the other on it's Gaza border-a mutual blunder that cannot be undone? On Arizona, I loved reading Judith Van Geisan novels at one time. Or is it 'Giesan'? The novels evoked mental vistas of the high mountain desert that transcended flat land.
ReplyDelete