Israel – In January, at a symposium at UCLA (choreographed by the Center for Near East Studies), four longtime Israel bashers were invited to analyze the human rights conditions in Gaza, and used the stage to attack the legitimacy of Zionism and its vision of a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
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They criminalized Israel’s existence, distorted its motives, and maligned its character, its birth, even its conception. At one point, the excited audience reportedly chanted “Zionism is Nazism” and worse.
Jewish leaders condemned this hate-fest as a dangerous invitation to anti-Semitic hysteria, and pointed to the chilling effect it had on UCLA students and faculty on a campus known for its open and civil atmosphere. The organizers, some of them Jewish, took refuge in “academic freedom” and the argument that “anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism.”
I fully support this mantra, not because it exonerates anti-Zionists from charges of anti-Semitism but because the distinction helps us focus attention on the discriminatory, immoral and more dangerous character of anti-Zionism.
Anti-Zionism rejects the very notion that Jews are a nation – a collective bonded by a common history – and, accordingly, denies Jews the right to self-determination in their historical birthplace. It seeks the dismantling of the Jewish nation state: Israel.
Anti-Zionism earns its discriminatory character from denying the Jewish people what it grants to other historically bonded collectives (e.g. French, Spanish, Palestinians,) namely, the right to nationhood, self-determination and legitimate coexistence with other indigenous claimants.
Anti-Semitism rejects Jews as equal members of the human race; anti-Zionism rejects Israel as an equal member in the family of nations.
Are Jews a nation? Some philosophers would argue that Jews are a nation first and religion second. Indeed, the narrative of Exodus and the vision of the impending journey to the land of Canaan were etched in the minds of the Jewish people before they received the Torah at Mt. Sinai.
But, philosophy aside, the unshaken conviction in their eventual repatriation to the birthplace of their history has been the engine behind Jewish endurance and hopes throughout their turbulent journey that started with the Roman expulsion in AD 70.
More importantly, shared history, not religion, is today the primary uniting force behind the secular, multiethnic society of Israel. The majority of its members do not practice religious laws and do not believe in divine supervision or the afterlife. The same applies to American Jewry, which is likewise largely secular. Identification with a common historical ethos, culminating in the reestablishment of the state of Israel, is the central bond of Jewish collectivity in America.
The majority of its members do not practice religious laws and do not believe in divine supervision or the afterlife. NOR DO THEY CARE ABOUT ISRAEL!!!.
Zionism was hated by every Godol with the exception of Rav Kook.
No, it is not. Grow up.
“Anti-Semitism rejects Jews as equal members of the human race; anti-Zionism rejects Israel as an equal member in the family of nations.”
And denying Jews their right to have a state after so many years, denying Jews the right to defend themselves – how is that not rejecting them as members of the human race?
It all comes down to semantics.
Anti-Semitism is always and will forever be, cleverly disguised as anti-Zionism.
“Anti-Zionism” has become the new politically-correct excuse for hating Jews. The monsters who murdered the Yidden in Mumbai, did they stop to ask them first if they are Zionists?
Neturei Karta mamzerim are also anti-Semites.
President Kennedy’s brother once visited the Satmar Rebbe T”ZL. Before he went in to the Rebbe the people outside asked him not to talk about Isreal. When he went in, he did talk about Isreal and he said how he loves Israel and he also expressed sympathy to Isreal for the loss of some soldiers in Isreal at that time.The rebbe listened to him and agreed whatever he said and didn’t mention a single word about his stance, that he is against the state of Isreal. Later when Kennedy left the Rebbe said to his people that if a gentile is against Isreal it is because he is anti-semite, since you can’t explain to a gentile that Jews are not allowed to have a state until Moshiach comes. (Gie Lern Mit A Goy Bartunura) So that’s why he agreed with Kennedy.
I think this is still true today.
Do you have the guts to write an article called, “Is anti Semitism hate?”
Does anyone know how to count the number of times we say Tziyon every day in davening and in bentching??
You don’t like Zionism politically, fine that’s your right. But stop selling it to the haters like those anti Semites who visited Ahmedinejad for his money and for their chance to show off a few big vocabulary words. The non Jews loved it. They felt vindicated for hating Jews all these years. You think they give a damn about Jew or Zion or Israel? Hey man, they on ly know that it all means Jews and they hate, hate and hate. \
I support all the honest Chasidim but i hate those who make believe they are Chasisidim and help our enemies.
“Anti-Zionism rejects the very notion that Jews are a nation – a collective bonded by a common history – and, accordingly, denies Jews the right to self-determination in their historical birthplace.”
I do not get the connection. The Jewish people are a nation based on the Torah, as so aptly put in post #4 . Why does that lead to a right of self determination? What does common history have to do with it?
“The right to nationhood, self-determination and legitimate coexistence with other indigenous claimants.”
What is this right based on? Any Makor to this? Of course not. Typical Zionist rhetoric, whatever the Zionists want to be true is true.
“The unshaken conviction in their eventual repatriation to the birthplace of their history has been the engine behind Jewish endurance and hopes throughout their turbulent journey that started with the Roman expulsion in AD 70.”
That was the hope for mashiach, not for the Zionist state. The Zionists did not begin until the later part of the 19th century, not since 70 AD. The current “Zionist dream” began with Dr. Nathan Birnbaum, not with the churban Beis Hamikdash. The author’s historical knowledge is very weak.
“More importantly, shared history, not religion, is today the primary uniting force behind the secular, multiethnic society of Israel.”
Huh? It is not the history. Rather, it is the feeling that no one else wants them and there is no where else to go. Then again, if the author feels this way then it must be true.
Stop giving these nuts attention. Most Jews loves Israel.
Is Zionism hate?
Whats so hard to understand?
A non jew that is anti state of israel (ie: anti zionist) it is because he hates jews (ie: antisamite).
A shomer Torah that is against zionism, it is because this is the derech hatorah.
On the other hand, never before the cookoos of todays chevere of Nerire Karte did we see erliche yeeden going together with the real antisamites against the zionism.
I remember when there was to be a huge demonstration agaiins Netuchai Maisem r”l, in front of the UN on a sunday1966 or 1967. Friday before the demonstration was to take place there was a conflict (shoot out or whatever) between the Israelis and an Arab nation (Don’t rememver which one). That demonstration was called off by the Satmere Rebbe (Divrei Yoil) zt”l because that was not the right time to demonstrate.
Of course when Bobby Kennedy was by the Satmere rebbe he would show agreement. Not because he agred, but because otherwise, Kennedy wouldn’t be a anti-zionist, but an antisemite.
#15 well said !!!
I fully support you. anyone non jewish that is anti-zionizm is indeed an anti-semite but anyone jewish that is pro-zionizm is also anti-torah.
but the neturey karta do not represent the pro-torah-anti-zionizm movement and the satmar rebbe which was the leader for the JEWISH anti-zionizm movement strongly opposed their acts and opinons as it is well known to all satmar chasidim. the only problem is that the non hasidic community dosn’t know this very important fact and therefore they view any anti-zionist as neturey karta. which shouldn’t be this way. but neturey karta has a better PR group then satmar ,
Where does the teach about anti-zionism and not having a homeland before Moshiach comes? Please provide me a source(s)? Hebrew, English etc..
Im under the impression the G-d promised the Land to our Forefathers for eternity. There was never a palestine, a govt, currency, war, treaties, … prior to 1948. The land was barren till the Jews arrived. Many Jews lived in the Land of Israel from generations to generations.
Where do you suppose we should live, if we aren’t welcome in the goyims land? If you like golus, getting spit on and beaten, blamed for the economy etc.. go ahead and enjoy golus! When the goyim will rise up again, even in America, where will you go? You cant go to Israel! No Jew is safe in a foreign land.
Naturei Karta and followers are all apikorim(whatever the plural is) to meet with anti-Semites who wish to kill their brothers is irrational! It only breeds more anti-Semitism among the goyim who hate Jews baselessly. The goyim see that and beleve that they are real Jews, true Jews and the rest are Khazars. NK and others lack Chesed!
I am a Yeshivish Jew who learned in Mir.
I am not Satmar.
I am not NK.
I AM Against Zionism.
I do have Ahavas Yisroel.
I hate no person, especially never a Jew.