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.

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

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.

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

Do I understand you correctly or not?

31 minutes ago, Yellowtail said:

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

Do I understand you correctly or not?

Only if the whites were IDF would I understand that. Normal people don’t commit genocide

4 hours ago, Evil Penevil said:

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

1 - we should not hate or harassh Jewish people in UK or anywhere else for actions of the Israeli govt

2 - since there is so much fake news and propaganda, i wonder how much of these stories are fabricated or exaggerated to gain sympathy for Israel. personally, I stopped paying attention to these stories a long time ago. I don't partake in that sort of behavior, and I don't know if the media is making things up to manipulate people.

3 - we should not allow these stories, whether real or fabricated or exaggerated, to draw attention away from atrocities taking place and gain sympathy for any immoral behavior of a govt.

13 minutes ago, save the frogs said:

1 - we should not hate or harassh Jewish people in UK or anywhere else for actions of the Israeli govt

2 - since there is so much fake news and propaganda, i wonder how much of these stories are fabricated or exaggerated to gain sympathy for Israel. personally, I stopped paying attention to these stories a long time ago. I don't partake in that sort of behavior, and I don't know if the media is making things up to manipulate people.

3 - we should not allow these stories, whether real or fabricated or exaggerated, to draw attention away from atrocities taking place and gain sympathy for any immoral behavior of a govt.

Eloquently put.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

You need an eye exam mate.

AI Overview

No, a female Jew cannot be recognized as Jewish by looks alone. While certain physical stereotypes exist, particularly surrounding Ashkenazi Jews, Jewish people are an ethnically diverse group and share no single physical template.

Stop playing the poor-us Jew card. 🙂

1 minute ago, Packer said:

AI Overview

No, a female Jew cannot be recognized as Jewish by looks alone. While certain physical stereotypes exist, particularly surrounding Ashkenazi Jews, Jewish people are an ethnically diverse group and share no single physical template.

Stop playing the poor-us Jew card. 🙂

That's very stupid.

In nations where most Jews ARE Ashkenazi Jews, they are a VERY DISTINCTIVE ethnic group.

I never said that ALL Jewish people are easily indentifiable by appearance alone. BUT MANY ARE and that is a fact.

I get where you're coming from though -- a very dark place.

To expand on the reality of Ashkenazi Jews being a distinctive ethnicity, consider that there are indeed medical genetic differences and prevalence to certain specific diseases in that group.

www.hms.harvard.edu/news/ancient-dna-provides-new-insights-ashkenazi-jewish-history

It reminds me somewhat of how Ethiopians are very often easily identifiable from other Africans.

Yes that is a thing in the world. Grow up.

I find the nightclub bit as highly suspicious.

Nightclubs are not well lit. I can’t help wondering if the whole article is a wind up.

2 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I find the nightclub bit as highly suspicious.

Nightclubs are not well lit. I can’t help wondering if the whole article is a wind up.

You can be skeptical but that doesn't prove she was lying.

Just now, Jingthing said:

You can be skeptical but that doesn't prove she was lying.

And no corroborating evidence to prove she was telling the truth.

A big nothingburger

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

And no corroborating evidence to prove she was telling the truth.

A big nothingburger

1 minute ago, JBChiangRai said:

And no corroborating evidence to prove she was telling the truth.

A big nothingburger

A claim like that is not a legal case. However, bottom line, it is the truth that in many cases Jewish people are very easily identifiable as Jewish people.

I see the similarity between the visibility aspect of Jewish people and gay people.

Some gay people can easily blend in (if they want to) and stay in the closet all of their lives.

Others you can tell instantly and there is nothing they can do about it.

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

A claim like that is not a legal case. However, bottom line, it is the truth that in many cases Jewish people are very easily identifiable as Jewish people.

I have lots of involvement with Jews and Israelis.

I spent a few years working for an Israeli company in the UK as their Sales Director. Later, an Israeli security company were clients of my own company. When I retired to Thailand an Israeli company asked me to represent them on the board of one of Thailand’s largest public companies where they were shareholders, which I did for 2 years.

I agree, some Jewish people are easy to identify. At a Hanukkah party a few months back, about a third could probably be identified. Incidentally, all but one condemned what Israel is doing in Gaza and cited BiBi as destroying Israel’s future.

As a teenager, a couple of my friends were Jewish, brother and sister. I could identify she might look Jewish, but only because I knew that. It would never enter my head otherwise.

10 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I see the similarity between the visibility aspect of Jewish people and gay people.

Some gay people can easily blend in (if they want to) and stay in the closet all of their lives.

Others you can tell instantly and there is nothing they can do about it.

I have a gay son and told him many times, being gay is about who you love and sleep with. It should have nothing else to do with your life and lifestyle.

He is what in the UK is referred to as a Muscle Mary. He spends half his life in the gym.

On 1/19/2026 at 8:45 AM, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s not something the US did when European Jews actually did need asylum to escape fascists.

The US took in over 100,000 Jewish refugees during the war years.

While it should have been more, other countries were reluctant to take any.

25 minutes ago, JBChiangRai said:

I find the nightclub bit as highly suspicious.

Nightclubs are not well lit. I can’t help wondering if the whole article is a wind up.

Worse than a wind up. More than likely a blatant lie to play the Poor-Jews we're so persecuted Jew card. Other members of the Jewry blindly jump on.

16 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

I see the similarity between the visibility aspect of Jewish people and gay people.

Some gay people can easily blend in (if they want to) and stay in the closet all of their lives.

Others you can tell instantly and there is nothing they can do about it.

A female Jew won't be recognized as a member of the Jewry by appearance alone,

She may be seen as possibly Middle-Eastern, at best. Being called out as a female Jew in a UK nightclub by physical appearance alone, forget it.

2 minutes ago, Packer said:

Worse than a wind up. More than likely a blatant lie to play the Poor-Jews we're so persecuted Jew card. Other members of the Jewry blindly jump on.

A female Jew won't be recognized as a member of the Jewry by appearance alone, no matter how hooked her nose is. She may be seen as possibly Middle-Eastern, at best. Being called out as a female Jew in a UK nightclub by physical appearance alone, forget it.

Hooked nose?
Yeah, you're a Jew hater no doubt.

20 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Hooked nose?

You're the one saying that a female Jew could be recognized as a Jew in a UK nightclub by appearance alone. Just what facial features do you think would make her recognizable as a Jew? Her eyebrows?

Some of you are really clutching at straws in your attempts to discredit the opinion piece. The woman who wrote it said she was a well-known Zionist on campus. It's likely she was in a nightclub that draws most of its customers from university students and it's very possible a pro-Palestinian student who knew her pointed her out to others who then confronted her.

I know something similar happened at Columbia U. in NYC. Pro-Palestinian students would identify Jewish students to non-student protestors who would then verbally and sometimes physically harass Jewish students deemed to be pro-Israel. The non-students couldn't be punished by the university for violations of its student code of conduct. It is also very possible, even likely, the author of the opinion piece was wearing a Star of David pendant.

The opinion piece mentions a report on antisemitism at UK universities which was released Monday by the Union of Jewish Students. It's a heavy-duty report, with forwards by Jewish politicians Baroness Berger and Lord Finklestein. It's key findings are:

1. Antisemitism has become normalised on our campuses. One in four students (23%) have seen behaviour that targets Jewish students for their religion/ethnicity

2. Glorification of terrorism is prevalent and unpunished. Our research has found that student groups have explicitly called for violence against Jews, even justifying the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in December 2025.

3. Protests disrupt all students, and universities have a clear mandate from students to take firmer action. Protests have disrupted learning for 65% of students, and 40% have altered their journey on campus to avoid disruption. Universities where protests are more frequent have seen higher levels of antisemitism, and four in ten (39%) of students who witness regular Israel-Palestine protests have seen Jewish students harassed often.

https://assets.nationbuilder.com/ujs/pages/1126/attachments/original/1773576815/Time_for_Change_-_Online_Version.pdf

You can read a summary of the report here:

Antisemitism has ‘become normalised’ on UK campuses, says Union of Jewish Students

A UJS poll of 1,000 students “of all faiths and none” found almost a quarter (23%) have seen behaviour that targets Jewish students for their religion or ethnicity and nearly half (47%) have witnessed justification of the 7 October attacks by Hamas.

https://www.theguardian.com/news/2026/mar/16/antisemitism-normalised-uk-campuses-union-of-jewish-students

@Evil Penevil do you now accept this is as a result of what has happened in Gaza?

1 hour ago, JBChiangRai said:

@Evil Penevil do you now accept this is as a result of what has happened in Gaza?

No, I don't. Gaza is only an excuse for the normalization of antisemitism.

2 hours ago, JBChiangRai said:

@Evil Penevil do you now accept this is as a result of what has happened in Gaza?

And @JBChiangRai do you now accept that what has happened in Gaza a result of what the Palestinians did on October 7th?

Surely you understand why Israelis are killing Palestinians, yes?