I can't explain it Roy I know my Very blond Israeli/American cousin married a very Italian looking Italian American Catholic.
And when I was in New Jersy sitting at the table with my Jewish family and their freinds who I wouldn't strictly describe as white. Or even that they were all Jewish.
At one meal with my cousins American / Indian Muslim girlfriend.
My uncle & Auntie had no problem with a Muslim at their table, but her parents could never know about my Jewish cousin.
But in answer to your question, I don't know. All Religion can be fckked.
But I have never known a nation so mixed of different nationalities and countries bond together as one as much as Israel.
Apart from the obvious 'name dropping' (to coin a phrase), my issue is with the criteria for the Jewish lineage. Why is it so important?
I can only see it's based on some notion of supremacy.
You will, I hope, see that I amended my use of the phrase 'white supremacy'. I was only using that phrase because it has alreqdy been adopted, and we're all familir with it and it's connotations.
But the notion of supremacy is the only feasible reason I can see for the strict criteria of female lineage to be accpeted as a Jew.
Something which you did not attempt to address. Your post was merely a "don't know" with a lot of name dropping.
I have to admit to being amazed by your knowledge of your realtives and friends ethnicity, lineage, etc. It must be important for you to make so many enquiries.
I think your experience of Israel is very myopic. Apart from rare examples, Israelis, and Jews do not mix with Palestinians, in general. When they do they tend to both be on the left of politics. Or they only co-exist for work, etc, This obviously creates a myopic world view for each party, because they only hear similar arguments to their own, voiced in social circles. (a bit like your newsfeeds problem).
Today the hospital is a rare island of calm where Jews, Israeli Arabs and some Palestinian staff work together to treat patients.
Outside, there is a sea of distrust and growing
violence between Israelis and Palestinians,
In hospitals, schools and businesses, Israeli Arabs, Jews and Palestinians are working side by side to forge a better future
www.theguardian.com
The same situation existed in South Africa during Apartheid, and in Southern states of USA, during segregation and especially during the Jim Crow era.
Like In India with the caste system, the castes move in different social circles, and only co-exist when necessary.
One could say that a similar scenario exists in UK, but without the rigid cultural constraints, with the rich and poor rarely interacting, except on a work or employer-employee realtionship, etc.
en.wikipedia.org
