Posting from a throwaway account just because this is such a sensitive issue, but posting my genuine thoughts.
I assume I am very out of touch with antisemitism since I have always lived in countries where I assume there aren't very many Jewish people, and I never hear much about them.
I understand that there was a lot of really terrible antisemitism for a very long period of history, and I read and hear that there is some amount of trying to pretend that never happened, which must make it even harder to deal with.
However, I think a lot of the criticism of Israel's policy and actions is probably unrelated to the fact that the people are Jewish. A lot of criticism of the most actions by Israel in Palestine is from the US and Europe, and there is also a history of animosity towards Islam in these places.
Also, there's a chance that a lot of people are clueless about classic antisemitic metaphors. I certainly am. I might have heard parasite used in that context, but I'm not certain I would have thought of it if I was trying to make a similar point to the GP's (about a small nation's relationship to a larger one).
Anyway, not sure whether this post will help anything, but just opening up my thoughts in case they help.
I wasn't talking about Israel. I pointed out the antisemitic metaphor. Like it or not, that's the same language. I find the sarcasm of the parent taking sides and crossing into that territory telling. It's further strengthened by their response after being called out.
There, now you know. Hope you feel safe behind the throwaway account. Karma's tough, right?
I don't think they used it in an antisemitic manner. Empire politics have been called parasitic even before WWII, and Israel's reliance on foreign aid does epitomize the cost of enabling this type of occupation. Americans are bled out of their wallets for this, and many no longer see the light at the end of the tunnel supporting Israel. To many Americans, it is a parasitic relationship with zero ostensible upsides to America.
Just an FYI that word doesn't have power anymore as it has been comically drug through the mud by murderous/genocidal freaks (freaks in the literal appearance sense too).
