Traveling While Jewish
Whenever I hear about yet another incident of antisemitism in Europe. I wonder why any Jew would still go there.
Just this week, 90,000 fans of Coldplay spent considerable gelt (money) to see them perform in the U.K. Among them were some Israelis. As luck would have it, or maybe misfortune, the two young people lead singer Chris Martin called onstage turned out to be Israeli.
Perhaps sincerely or perhaps pandering to an anti-Israel crowd, Martin said, “I’m very grateful that you’re here as humans. We are treating you as equal humans on Earth, regardless of where you come from.”
Upon hearing this, one member of my family said to me, “What’s wrong with that?”
Another friend said, “She shouldn’t have told him she was Israeli.”
I believe these rather commonplace responses, although well meaning, are ultimately wrongheaded.
If Martin was a contestant on a game show, say Family Feud, he would’ve immediately heard the loud, distressing honk, honk, honk accompanied by the dreaded triple Xs indicating he gave a wrong answer.
“Sorry Chris,” our fictitious emcee would say, “but our studio audience gave the following answers as to how to greet guests when asking them onstage at a rock show:”
“Welcome to the United Kingdom”
“Hope you like our show”
“Glad to see we have fans from all over the world”
Martin’s answer clearly missed the mark. He blatantly signaled to his anti-Israel fans that these two girls are the good Israelis. They were — do you believe it— Human. Who knew? Heaven forbid that he had asked them what they did for a living and then found out that they were just finishing or beginning service in the IDF.
Calling Jews “humans” is like when Joe Biden, back in 2007, called Obama a “clean and articulate” African American . It was condescending. And he was loudly called out for this, not only by the black establishment but by many nonblacks in the political sphere. And they were right.
Of course, Martin is not a political figure, but he too should be called out, not only by Jews, but by others in the entertainment business.
Not hearing it.
As for should Israelis and Jews in general hide their identity?
They should not hide their identity as that would send a message of guilt. That they are giving in to the haters. Would you ask a gay person today to pretend to be hetero? If, say, to continue the game show analogy, they were asked if they had family attending in the audience, should a gay man omit to say that his husband is out there?
By just being there and showing people that Israelis are exactly like them, enjoy the same music, enjoy traveling, it may reduce their image as bloodthirsty child killers.
I’m re-evaluating my stance about traveling to countries that are anti-Israel.
Israelis who live in a country the size of New Jersey like to go on extended weekends to vacation destinations much as do most Americans. Europe is like our Disneyworld, national parks and Caribbean islands, easily accessible, relatively affordable (well maybe not Disneyworld so much) and fun. Why should they deprive themselves of much needed down time just because the pro-Hamas crowd wants to ramp up demonizing their country?
Perhaps they have the right idea. The more Israelis engage in normal activities everywhere the more there will be confrontations such as what happened at the Coldplay concert and maybe worse. But we have to push back, to force them to confront their own prejudice and lack of morality.
A good example of this would be how the Israeli bike team reacted to just such a blatantly antagonistic display during the 2025 Vuelta a Espana bicycle race a few days ago. During Stage 11, pro-Palestinian protestoers disrupted the race near the finish line forcing organizers to call an early stop. The protest was aimed at the Israel-Premier Tech team. In reaction some race officials told the team that they should withdraw for safety reasons. Spain’s foreign minister, Jose Manuel Alberes, joined in and voiced the opinion that the Israel-Premier Tech team should withdraw.
The team decided not to withdraw but agreed to remove their name “Israel” from their jerseys. Despite this, protests have continued and the team as of this writing remains in the race. Safety uber alles appears to be the rallying cry of many in the sports community and government officials. But it seems to me this is just cover for failing to do their job of protecting all competitors and spectators.
If they are truly concerned with safety and the rights of all athletes to compete in a fair race, they would prevent protestors from getting near the race route. No flags, no weapons. Capitulating to a relatively small group intent on disruption is clearly giving them a win at the expense of all viewers and participants. Regardless of the outcome, and I have no idea of IPT’s chances of winning, clearly if they give in and withdraw, the winner of the Vuelta a Espana will be “Palestinian Protestors.” All terrorist supporters will feel they’ve scored a big victory. Meanwhile, cyclists who’ve spent countless hours honing their skills will be deemed irrelevant.
By remaining in the race, remaining tourists, remaining strong and proud, we Jews and especially Israelis will force the European states to take a stand and explain why they are choosing to cave in to terrorist supporters. It will escalate, surely, but when you know you are on the right side of the battle between good and evil, you are more willing to confront your detractors who don’t have the courage of their convictions.
As an American I still have crossed most of Europe off from my list of potential areas to visit, but I appreciate more and more the courage Israelis are demonstrating when they choose to carry on despite the loud, vindictive and bullying crowd.
