Great chat w. US Consul General of Jerusalem in America's Ramallah office. Sadly, not highlight of visit there... pic.twitter.com/bEzlDtUbnI
— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) February 23, 2015
After chatting w. Consul General, his security detail pulled me aside and insisted that I not wear yarmulke when leaving US Ramallah office
— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) February 23, 2015
I asked US Consul security if I was endangering group. They said I wasnt. So I refused to remove yarmulke in Ramallah pic.twitter.com/oU274lWZI8
— David G. Greenfield (@NYCGreenfield) February 23, 2015
You see, the US officials are very, very sensitive to the feelings of Palestinian Arabs. The sight of a Jew wearing a yarmulka is offensive, and we must bend over backwards to avoid offending our friends who burn American flags and blow up American diplomats.
Offending Jews, of course, is acceptable and entirely appropriate. Because they don't burn American flags or murder American diplomats. As friends, Jews should understand how they should avoid anything that might stoke Arab antisemtism (sorry, "anti-Zionism"), like wearing a yarmulka or praying.
Or living.
(h/t Adam Levick)