Anti-Zionism is not Anti-Semitic

In the face of a rising anti-Zionist movement, there are many attempts from pro-Israeli organizations, politicians, and media which try to paint these movements as anti-semitic. They attempt to conflate the Zionist Ideology of the state of Israel and it’s interests with Jewish diaspora as a whole. Therefore, many claim that any attempt to criticize Israel or to engage in anti-zionist action is a direct threat to the Jewish community world wide. This however, is not the case.

The result, of course, is a state which engages in ethnic cleansing, genocide, and an Apartheid which segregates Palestinians and guarantees only Jewish people rights, citizenship, and protections.

Anti-Zionism is not about removing all Jewish communities from the region or targeting Jewish people generally, it’s about advocating against a system and a state structure which only guarantees rights and citizenship for Jewish populations, while ethnically cleansing and legally subjugating Palestinians, codifying their status as sub-class inhabitants. The goal ultimately is for Palestinians to be treated as equal citizens, to have a right to return to and exist in their homeland, and for such to be legally and structurally guaranteed.

It is akin to protesting the state of Nazi Germany and the Nazi ideology, not German people as a whole. Akin to protesting South African Apartheid and the state which maintains it, not Europeans as an entire ethnic group. Or akin to protesting American Apartheid and Jim Crow, not advocating for the subjugation of all White Americans.

The conflation of Zionism and Jewish Populations lends itself to anti-semitism far more than any anti-zionist action. Convincing the general population that apartheid, genocide and mass starvation is conducted at the behest of Jewish people worldwide does not combat anti-semitism. This is a conflation that many Pro-Palestinian activists dismiss time and time again. It is possible to be Jewish and Anti-Zionist, just as it is possible to be a White American and not believe in a White American Ethno-State. It is of utmost importance that Politicians, Organizations, and other prominent figures separate the two, as many Pro-Palestinian activists have.

Responsible rhetoric means undertaking a position which both calls for an end to ongoing genocide, connecting that to the Zionist project, while also dismissing any position that naturalizes a connection between Zionism and Jewish People.

Additional Notes

The United States’ involvement with Israel has never been in the interest of the well being of the Jewish community. The relationship with Israel has been levied by many global powers to secure their interests in the region.

The likes of Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, and even Joe Biden have all recognized Israel’s Strategic importance.