Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

> Or just live in a red state?

Heh, in red states where unconditional support for Israel among white evangelical protestants is more popular than in the Jewish-American community itself? Where every other car seems to have a bumper sticker featuring the Israeli and American flag depicted together in unison? Hating Jewish people is very fringe in any American state, the mainstream will ostracize you for it anywhere in the country. Obviously so in blue states, but also in red states as well. Speaking out against Israel is a good way to get yourself banned from most red state businesses, and as many red states as blue states have passed anti-BDS laws.



> where unconditional support for Israel among white evangelical protestants is more popular than in the Jewish-American community itself?

Dominionist support for Israel can easily coexist with (arguably, is grounded in) anti-Semitism, and non-Dominionist right-wing support for Israel is often more grounded in Islamophobia than positive feelings about Jewish people, and is itself compatible with anti-Semitism.

Support for Israel when it comes to American foreign policy doesn’t mean positive, or even neutral, treatment of Jewish people, particularly those immediately present around the Israel-supporter.


The wacky derivations of their beliefs doesn't change the fact that most businesses in red states would kick you straight out the door for antisemitism or any criticism of Israel. Anti-semitism is far outside the mainstream anywhere in the country you choose. The closest you'll find to mainstream overt antisemitism is probably Idaho, but even there it is very fringe. You'll be hard pressed to even find a church that accuses Jews of killing Christ, while a century ago this was common doctrine. The American public at large no longer tolerate this sort of thought.


In practice, right-wing support for Israel boils down to "God hates anti-Semites. God loves His chosen people." You'd think that ought to be pretty hard to square with a Jew-hating attitude, but politics is the farthest thing from rational thinking so at the end of the day anything is possible. It's nonetheless the case that most people in right-wing states are not anti-Semitic.




Consider applying for YC's Fall 2025 batch! Applications are open till Aug 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: