No it's not like that, we can be friends.
in Arabic the word "awliya'a" did not mean friend alone, it may mean friend some times, ordinary friend is translated as "maqli",
so the word in that verse means too close friend, protector, guardian, ally, helper, someone in charge, Nex of kin. This is what Islam forbid in that verse, it is similar to the Bible saying in 2 Corinthians 6:14:
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?”
Paul used it as a picture: If 2 people have opposite core beliefs/values about God, life, marriage, raising kids - pulling in different directions will cause pain.
If this verse in the bible doesn't encourage you to hate me then the one in Quran would also not do so. I do not even consider you an enemy, Islam is more accepting compare to Christianity here, because the verse here was revealed early in medina, another verse was revealed to stop the teachings of this particular one you gave (below in the picture).
So the first verse is no more useful, but we still recite it, but we don't understand it. We use the below one. There are many verses in Quran that are only useful in recitation but the rule behind them is abrogated. Allah changes some rules according to time. There is fierce hatred against Islam in the beginning, but when Islam got power and population on its side Allah relieved some of the strict rules, I have many Christians friends, I can marry sleep and live together with a Christian or Jewish woman, as far as we love each other.
There are 2B muslims in the world now, we don't need to hate you or distance our selves from Christians to protect our religion anymore, we can be friends, you can only hurt an individual now, not hurt islam. So the rule on the verse is no more in use, it's just that you don't understand us or you're doing things deliberately.
Qura'n was revealed in 23 yrs, Every verse has essence of revealation, prophet Muhammad live with Jews and Christians, he ate food from them, the Quran commands marrying Christian women, do you think it's possible to marry someone you regard as your enemy?
Yesterday night I was convincing my fellow Muslims to vote Obi due to my various reasons despite the fact he is a Christian. I don't think you people would do it even if you find a better Muslim candidate. We don't hate you, you hate us
Your prophet told you not to take us as friends in Quran 5: 51, so I don't understand this pretence.