Anti-Zionism by non-Jews is always automatically suspect.
(Salt Lake Tribune) On October 10th, a service was held in memory of those killed in Israel, and on November 4th, a rally in support of Palestine was held.
In recent weeks, the question of whether anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism has received significant public attention. Some say that anti-Zionism is always anti-Semitism. Others say the two are completely different. For example, a local bar owner declares that “Zionists are not allowed” in his establishment and claims that “being anti-Zionist is not anti-Semitism.”
In my view, both sides of this debate are wrong because they fail to make a crucial distinction between Jewish and non-Jewish anti-Zionism.
Jewish anti-Zionism in the United States has a long history. In the early 20th century, it was widely popular here and even supported by leading figures in the American Jewish community. However, with the Holocaust and the establishment of the State of Israel, Jewish anti-Zionism almost disappeared, but in 2009, current Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seized power and became increasingly right-wing, promoting occupation, annexation, and even expulsion. established a government. His successful efforts to move Israel sharply to the right understandably alienated most American Jews. Many polls show that millions of Jewish Americans reject his policies, and even tens or even hundreds of thousands reject Zionism itself, the idea that statehood is good for Jews. It was during this period that he opposed himself.
Jewish anti-Zionism is a perfectly legitimate voice within the Jewish community in conversations about Jews and our future. I happen to disagree vehemently with it, but all Jews have a voice and a vote in important communal debates about our direction.
On the other hand, non-Jewish anti-Zionism is always automatically suspected for two reasons.
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Just as I do not and should not have a say or vote on whether Palestinians (or Kurds, Catalans, or any other group) seek a homeland, on matters that are exclusively internal matters. What gives non-Jews the right to express their opinions? The world’s Jewish community?
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In most cases where non-Jews call themselves anti-Zionists, it is unheard of to say that they also oppose the existence of a non-Jewish homeland. Turkey, Russia, Germany, Estonia, Bosnia, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, etc. have no right to exist, even though these and dozens of other countries are home to certain ethnicities/languages/religions/peoples. I’ve never heard anyone say that there isn’t. national group. In fact, most of these countries even have ethnic minorities larger than Israel that do not identify with the country’s name, flag, or national anthem. However, only Israel is the subject of regular demands to be removed from the world map. That’s discrimination. against the Jews. This is commonly referred to as anti-Semitism. Anti-Zionism by non-Jews is almost always an example of anti-Semitism.
At the same time, I believe there are non-Jewish anti-Zionists who oppose all forms of nationalism and therefore claim that they do not discriminate against Jews. My question to them would be: Why should the Jews, perhaps the greatest victims of nationalism in history of all peoples, who turned to their own nationalism only late in the game as a defense against the excesses of others’ nationalism, not do this? Isn’t it? Why should these people abandon nationalism for the good of humanity? In fact, shouldn’t Jews be the last to abandon nationalism when it feels safe to do so?
And, of course, I’m also well aware of the argument that Israel’s war crimes and treatment of Palestinians make it a special case. But if a country’s actions can make it subject to the national death penalty, call me after you eliminate Germany, Japan, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom, and other countries that have committed far more serious crimes. . And yes, the United States.
(Photo by Matthew Weinstein) Matthew Weinstein
Matthew Weinstein I live in Salt Lake City and am a member of both Kol Ami Monastery and Chabra Buyahad. His opinions are his own and not necessarily those of either congregation.
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