I don't think there's really anything wrong with your comment, it's a triggery term and jumped out at me in the original piece itself where the author uses it t

I don't think there's really anything wrong with your comment, it's a triggery term and jumped out at me in the original piece itself where the author uses it to ironically self-describe. It's a little weird (or maybe he is also Jewish) but I think I get the usage. He's written previously about Bulgaria's Roma community and the discrimination they continue to face so I don't think he's trying to start any shit. I wouldn't casually use it in English, though, precisely for the reasons you outline.