On 2/2/2026 at 4:13 PM, JimCM said:

If Jewish Israelis are indigenous to the land, why did so many famous Israeli leaders change their names from clearly European ones to Hebrew after arriving or during the early years of the state?

For example, David Grün becoming Ben-Gurion, Golda Mabovitch becoming Golda Meir, and even Benjamin Netanyahu’s father changing the family name from Mileikowsky to Netanyahu.

There's a complex history. many Jews from Eastern Europe are descendants from converts, so while they might feel a spiritual connection, there is no ethnic connect to the land of Israel.

Until the 19th Century, European Jewry used patronyms; a surname based off your father's name. So there was no such thing as a "family name". The need for a Census, and, especially in Russia, military service, meant local police officers imposed surnames, based often on where you lived or what job you had.

I suppose the motivation to change names after emigrating to Israel was for the same people drop so-called slave names. I could see that as a mark of shame to be discarded. In Ireland, you see people dropping the Anglicised version of their name in favour of the Irish version. So Timothy becomes Tadhg, Joan became Siobhan. The British Royal family anglicized their names, Trumpf became Trump.

49 minutes ago, Roadsternut said:

The British Royal family anglicized their names, Trumpf became Trump.

Norma Jean became Marilyn, Reg Leach Cary Grant, Pratt Karloff and Issur Danielowicz Kirk Douglas.

5 hours ago, Roadsternut said:

There's a complex history. many Jews from Eastern Europe are descendants from converts, so while they might feel a spiritual connection, there is no ethnic connect to the land of Israel.

Until the 19th Century, European Jewry used patronyms; a surname based off your father's name. So there was no such thing as a "family name". The need for a Census, and, especially in Russia, military service, meant local police officers imposed surnames, based often on where you lived or what job you had.

I suppose the motivation to change names after emigrating to Israel was for the same people drop so-called slave names. I could see that as a mark of shame to be discarded. In Ireland, you see people dropping the Anglicised version of their name in favour of the Irish version. So Timothy becomes Tadhg, Joan became Siobhan. The British Royal family anglicized their names, Trumpf became Trump.

Your name is Toby!

This is an eye-opening account of the harassment a Jewish student at a British university endures on a daily basis, solely because of her religion.

I’ve been spat at and called a ‘baby killer’ for being a Jewish student in Britain

...

My crime is being Jewish, and not being afraid to speak up against anti-Semitism and Palestinian supporters who make hateful assumptions about me.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/i-ve-been-spat-at-and-called-a-baby-killer-for-being-a-jewish-student-in-britain/ar-AA1Z81nl?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgdhpruby&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=69bf0b1a706840f7858939c5d8fdd3de&ei=8

I'm sure more than one Jewish member of AN shares her experience.

3 minutes ago, Evil Penevil said:

This is an eye-opening account of the harassment a Jewish student at a British university endures on a daily basis, solely because of her religion.

I’ve been spat at and called a ‘baby killer’ for being a Jewish student in Britain

...

My crime is being Jewish, and not being afraid to speak up against anti-Semitism and Palestinian supporters who make hateful assumptions about me.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/i-ve-been-spat-at-and-called-a-baby-killer-for-being-a-jewish-student-in-britain/ar-AA1Z81nl?uxmode=ruby&ocid=edgdhpruby&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=69bf0b1a706840f7858939c5d8fdd3de&ei=8

I'm sure more than one Jewish member of AN shares her experience.

I read that and was waiting for her to say she deplored what Israel and the IDF were doing and stood with Palestine, but all I read was that she stated she stood with Israel, albeit at the beginning of the Gaza Genocide. We probably all stood with Israel initially until we realised what they did in retaliation.

IMHO, she either says she stands with Palestine or she keeps her mouth shut. If she says she stands with Israel, then this sort of thing is going to happen.

The world hates Israel. It's not a good thing to stand with Israel against Gaza. If I said I stood with Hitler I would expect no less (obviously I don't!).

Whilst I don't agree with her treatment, I do understand it.

7 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I read that and was waiting for her to say she deplored what Israel and the IDF were doing and stood with Palestine, but all I read was that she stated she stood with Israel, albeit at the beginning of the Gaza Genocide. We probably all stood with Israel initially until we realised what they did in retaliation.

IMHO, she either says she stands with Palestine or she keeps her mouth shut. If she says she stands with Israel, then this sort of thing is going to happen.

The world hates Israel. It's not a good thing to stand with Israel against Gaza. If I said I stood with Hitler I would expect no less (obviously I don't!).

Whilst I don't agree with her treatment, I do understand it.

If blacks were committing genocide against whites in Africa, would you understand whites beating up blacks in New York?

39 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

If blacks were committing genocide against whites in Africa, would you understand whites beating up blacks in New York?

What about the price of eggs?

I did say "Whilst I don't agree with her treatment, I do understand it."

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

What about the price of eggs?

Way down from what I hear.

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

I did say "Whilst I don't agree with her treatment, I do understand it."

So, you would understand if whites were killing blacks in New York because blacks were committing genocide against whites in Africa. Fair enough.

5 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

Way down from what I hear.

So, you would understand if whites were killing blacks in New York because blacks were committing genocide against whites in Africa. Fair enough.

You are the king of whataboutism.

Do you understand the difference between understanding something and agreeing with it.

I understand you're intellectually challenged, I don't agree with it, I think it's a shame.