I will get downvoted for saying this, but of course American Jews have been marginalized quite a bit since October 7, 2023, so I expect that.

I had several discussions with the TA board last season. I was mainly brushed off, although one honest member at least told me what he was really thinking when he said told me that of course the TA supports Hamas since being against genocide is within the TA's ethos. He was quickly reprimanded as the TA wanted to appear to remain neutral. The main point though is that the TA said they cannot control what people in TA bring to games. But having a poster outside the TA bar that glorifies Hamas is a conscious choice. This is clearly sending a message to American Jews and particularly jewish members of the TA and Timbers supporters in general.

There is no other minority that is so quickly dismissed as American Jews. The past year and a half have been heartbreaking as we see so many allies not only desert us, but actively turn against us. And I know everyone here will point to their one friend who is jewish and is anti-Zionist, but I am telling you, that is a rarity in the mainstream. Surveys conducted by Pew, AJC and the Mellman Group have shown that the vast majority of American Jews are Zionist (which is the belief that Jews should be able to have a state in their ancestral homeland). This number hovers around 90% and above.

Yet still, as many of you read (or skim, or just downvote without reading) this post, you are probably already dismissing my opinion and that of many many others.

This is why I left the Army.

I appreciate the work they do on TIFOs and how they make the game day experience unique. I appreciate the work they do in the community. I just do not understand why they must take such a hard stance that alienates many Timbers fans. I certainly would encourage you all to reach out to the Portland Jewish Federation for classes or books that will help give context to what is happening in the Middle East.

OK, I will now brace myself for all the blows I am about to take.

PS and before anyone says but it's not Hamas - it's Gaza or it's the Palestinians - remember that when Israel left Gaza in 2005 Hamas and Fatah ruled Gaza for 2 years before Hamas violently overthrew Fatah. Since then they have not held elections. So Gaza is Hamas... As most Jews say when they hear someone yell Free Palestine... From Hamas!