February 4, 2022: “Understanding Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism” by Evan Talit
Background
New attitudes and movements around the globe towards the world’s only Jewish state, Israel, have led to debates from Capitol Hill to college campuses and every level in between. It can be assumed correctly that the Arab-Israeli conflict is directly linked to many of these views, however some argue that their beliefs and movement go beyond the State of Israel as it exists today. Antizionist protests were seen around the globe following the uptick in clashes between Hamas and Israel in May of 2021. Antizionism comes in different forms and cannot be covered with a broad-brush, but critics can be found around the globe claiming that antizionism is antisemitism in disguise, and has taken the mantle of veiled antisemitic movements that have been a part of history. These debates can and should be had on their merits, however an understanding of the different ideologies and actors involved should be considered when discussing possible connections to antisemitic attitudes or movements. Like much in the modern era, the debate has been marred by dis/misinformation, including movements on social media, domestic political divides, and a whole host of issues that come with the nature of debate around Israel/Palestine. The legitimacy of anti-Zionist views has been disputed and still is, including the more recent relationships between anti-Zionist movements and prominent individuals and antisemitism. Other views regarding the various forms of anti-Zionism have also been discussed and debated and should not be lumped together as one.
Modern History of Antizionism
There is already debate around the word ‘Zionism’ itself is. Naturally, there is debate around what ‘antizionism’ is. Of course, getting beyond semantic debates it is important to acknowledge that these meanings are, and should be, largely based on the context of how, and sometimes who, is using them. ‘Modern’ Antizionism is defined as opposition to Zionism, and since 1948 is broadly defined as opposition to The State of Israel and opposition to the Jewish community in the land of Israel’s search for self-determination before 1948. To a lesser extent, but certainly before 1948, modern antizionism is represented as opposition to the political movements of Jews towards self-determination (within or outside of modern Israel). Antizionist movements have differing ideologies and goals that are often linked to where or when the movements were started. Looking at differing nations/groups that have advocated against the modern Zionist movement have similar scopes regarding the State of Israel but generally have commonality in outlook on the nation itself. These include Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Soviet, British/British Colonial, Pan-Arab, and African-American groups have had antizionist movements around the globe.
Zionism and Antizionism in Judaism
Hope for the return to the land of Israel is in the content of the Jewish religion, which is known as Aliyah. For Jews in the diaspora Israel was religiously revered paralleled with traditional religious beliefs. The return remained a common theme in religious life, ending Yom Kippur and Passover prayers with “Next year in Jerusalem.” The Jewish enlightenment period, ending in the end of the 18th century begat a new line of thinking that included dropping traditional beliefs around Aliyah. From that point on, Zionism rekindled the beliefs around Aliyah largely through a political and pragmatic ideological sense, but keeping it parallel with traditional Jewish beliefs. Support for Aliyah did not and still does not mean support for immigration, but most of the diaspora find themselves today within the diaspora. Support for the modern Zionist movement is not universal – some religious and secular jews do not support antizionism, but does not necessarily make them antizionists, as many still support the choice or ideology itself.
Antizionism and Linkage with Antisemitism
In the early 21st century, it was originally claimed that a new antisemitism had emerged that is/was rooted in anti-Zionism. Advocates of this viewpoint argue that much of what they claim to be criticism of Israel and Zionism is aimed at the demonization of Israel, and has led to an international resurgence of attacks on Jews and Jewish symbols and an increased acceptance of antisemitic beliefs in public discourse, particularly around times of heightened tensions in the Middle East. While it is true that heightened tensions in Israel and Palestine have led to Antisemitic incidents in other parts of the world, some also argue that as evidence of Antizionist movements to create an environment that antisemitism is more tolerated or excused. Some who argue this viewpoint do not take issue with antizionist ideologies themselves, but argue that the movement has not done enough to distance itself from antisemitism in general.
Critics of those claims suggest that the characterization of anti-Zionism as antisemitic is inaccurate and sometimes obscures legitimate criticism of Israel’s policies and actions and trivializes antisemitism. Realistically, both can be true at the same time given the nature of the claims. It is important to understand two of the major themes in accusations of antisemitism linked with antizionism, as the arguments largely fall into one of two categories – sometimes both. The first is that Antizionism is part of a larger movement to delegitimize Jews and their right to self-determination in what many feel is their historic homeland. This argument does not necessarily assume that antizionists are antisemites, but that the movement itself is rooted in antisemitism. The second argument is that antizionism is an ideology that creates an environment of antisemitism in doing too much to equate Jews with the State of Israel. While this is something that is seen around the globe, the argument itself does not criticize per se the legitimacy of antizionism as a standalone issue.
Where We Stand Today
This issue has become a domestic political issue in many countries, particularly the UK and the United States. It is not nearly a complete divide between right and left, but there does seem to be some movement of division on this issue between left wing and right-wing movements in the West in particular. Movement on this issue ebbs and flows with the events in the region. Unfortunately, there has been a reoccurring cycle of violence for the last 20 years without any major peace talks coming to fruition. This is an issue that is not directly connected to the lives of many Americans, while still being a hot-button issue from time to time – all while there are more major events in the Middle East that include direct US involvement. However, these movements domestically and abroad exist on their own, even though debate heats up when there is an uptick in escalation of events in Israel/Palestine.
Listen to Evan’s talk below:
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