Anti-Zionism is antisemitism

As a person who works with NGOs and non-profit organizations, I frequently interact with people concerned about human rights and social justice. It is, therefore, not surprising that many of them have strong opinions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, particularly about the current war in Gaza. On many occasions, I share their concerns. I have been a peace activist for over 40 years and a scholar of peace and conflict resolution for a quarter of a century. Throughout that time, I have strongly advocated for positive peace (in Galtung’s terms), a two-state solution with justice and security for both Israelis and Palestinians. However, many of my friends and colleagues resent my Zionist activism and my participation in various organizations and activities associated with the movement. They condemn Zionism as a whole, without understanding its basis, nuances, and diversity. They tell me, “I’m not antisemitic; I am anti-Zionist.” Recently, I read an article about the cancellation of a book event where Rabbi Andy Bachman, like me, a liberal Zionist and peace advocate, participated as a moderator. The manager of Powerhouse Books in Brooklyn objected to his participation because “We don’t want a Zionist onstage.”

To understand Zionism, and to understand why anti-Zionism is a form of antisemitism, we need to begin by recognizing that Jews are a nation, a people—not merely a religion, race, ethnicity, or culture. Certainly, all these are elements of Jewish peoplehood, but we need to remember that we, the Jews, are a nation formed in ancient times when religions were national (for example, the Egyptians, Romans, and Aztecs each had their unique religions and pantheons distinct from those of other nations), and before the rise of supra-national religions like Christianity or Islam. This is why the Jewish nation and the Jewish faith are intertwined but not equivalent. You can certainly be a Jew without practicing the religion or even as an atheist. This is a complex issue that has been extensively discussed and analyzed, but the general consensus among scholars is that Judaism is a nationality.

Next, we must agree that self-determination is an inalienable right, both legal and moral, of every people. It is defined in international law as the legal right of a people to determine their own fate within the international framework. But self-determination is not merely a legal concept; it is the very assertion of a people’s existence, their right to carve their own path in a world that often denies them agency. From the United Nations Charter to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, this right is proclaimed as belonging to “all peoples.” That includes, of course, both Palestinians and Jews.

Finally, we need to understand Zionism. I know there are many interest groups that define Zionism in different ways. Even within the Zionist movement, there is debate about its essence. However, the common denominator among scholars is that Zionism is a movement for the self-determination of the Jewish people through the establishment of a national state. A fundamental right.

Therefore, if Judaism is a nation, self-determination is an inalienable right of every nation, and Zionism is a movement for self-determination, then Zionism, conceptually, is a human-rights movement. And anti-Zionism is a form of discrimination, ergo, antisemitism.

As a progressive Zionist, I acknowledge that the implementation of that right has been marred by conduct that is more than problematic—questionable from both legal and moral perspectives—and not always consistent with the values of its founders, such as Theodor Herzl and Ber Borochov, who cherished human rights, equity, and social justice. But that is a topic for another discussion. Invalidating Zionism outright in a blanket form is discriminatory regardless. Criticizing and condemning specific actions or people in Israel for their conduct is not only perfectly acceptable but a duty for every person who values human rights and peace. However, nullifying Zionism as a whole without understanding that it is a complex movement with many ideologies and points of view, some of which are very mindful of human values and critical of Israeli actions, ends up just being antisemitism. Period.

That is why, when my friends and colleagues tell me, “I am not antisemitic; I am anti-Zionist,” I feel the same way as when people in the US say, “I don’t discriminate against Hispanics; I have many Latino friends,” and then start ranting against Latinx immigrants. Or when people say, “I am not homophobic; I love Neil Patrick Harris,” but then complain about marriage equality. If you are an anti-Zionist, you are negating MY right to self-determination as a member of the Jewish nation, and to me, that is as antisemitic as it comes.