When pro-Israel activists confront the Israel bashing that has been so prevalent on college campuses, they often argue that anti-Zionism is really a cover for anti-Semitism. In so doing, they convey the message that, somehow, anti-Zionism is not bad enough. It needs the added charge of Jew-hatred to get the world’s attention.
Even if it is true that anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are intimately connected, we let anti-Zionists off the hook when we make the link. All they have to do is claim that they don’t hate Jews, and, voila, Israel bashing can continue.
This has had a corrosive effect on Israel’s image, particularly among the new generation of American Jews who are critical of Israeli policies. Because they don’t see any “anti-Semitism” per se in anti-Zionism, many of them have joined the Israel-bashing crowd thinking they’re part of a noble cause fighting for the underdogs.
There is nothing noble, of course, about anti-Zionism, or, as my friend Judea Pearl calls it, Zionophobia.
Zionophobia is an insightful term because it captures the truth that anti-Zionism has nothing to do with criticism and everything to do with denying a people’s right. The boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement, which embodies and defines Zionophobia, makes no bones about this. Its goal is the elimination of the Jewish state because Jews, in the BDS view, have no right to a homeland.
This is where Israel activism must go — Zionism as an expression of human rights. Zionism as a genuine, independent identity.
This is where Israel activism must go — Zionism as an expression of human rights. Zionism as a genuine, independent identity.
You can see this starting to happen. In a statement released Aug. 30 by 43 members of the USC faculty in support of Rose Ritch, who had to resign from student government, the focus was squarely on her Zionist identity.
“Rose Ritch was subjected to vicious online harassment, and her qualification to hold elected office was questioned on the basis of her professed Zionism,” the statement read. “We find it unacceptable that such blatant discrimination on the basis of a student’s belief, identity, or national origin could take place on our campus.”
The word “identity” is essential. It suggests that “I am a Zionist” should be as legitimate as “I am a Jew.” As Pearl likes to say, “Religion doesn’t have a monopoly on Jewish identity. You don’t have to be God-fearing or even Jewish to be a Zionist.”
The letter’s focus on anti-Zionism contrasts with the official response of USC leaders to the Rose Ritch incident, which focused on anti-Semitism. As Pearl told me, “Fighting antisemitism gives [college leaders] a cover up for inaction and a license to avoid the real source of campus hostility – Zionophobia.”
Contrary to what critics claim, Zionism is not a zero-sum game. As the faculty letter asserts, Zionism is inherently not in conflict with other rights, such as Palestinian rights:
“As supporters of the Zionist idea — the right of the Jewish people to a homeland and self-determination — we stand by the rights of all people, including Israelis and Palestinians, to freedom, dignity and peaceful coexistence, and to advocate for their causes with fairness and respect on our campus and in the world.”
In a tweet following the release of the statement, Pearl wrote: “The anti-Zionism virus, which has long been ignored or considered untreatable, now demands a specific vaccine, tailored to its own distinct chemistry. This long overdue letter is inspirational to students and faculty nation-wide.”
Focusing activism around Zionism doesn’t mean downplaying Judaism or anti-Semitism. It simply means identifying a specific threat and treating it as such. It says: “If you believe that Israel does not have a right to exist as a Jewish state, we don’t especially care whether or not that belief comes from a place of animosity toward Jews. The belief itself is bad enough.”
You may criticize Israeli policies all you want, but when you single out and bully a student because of his or her Zionist identity, that is not criticism — that is discrimination.
Making Zionism the driving force of the pro-Israel movement requires a two-fold approach — one based on protection, the other on inspiration.
First, when students are harassed and bullied because of their Zionist identity, we must demand that college leaders explicitly condemn anti-Zionism as blatant discrimination and impose consequences. Zionist students cannot walk around in fear of expressing their identity. They deserve the same protection as all other students.
We’re not talking here about protection from criticism. There is a crucial distinction between criticism and discrimination. You may criticize Israeli policies all you want, but when you single out and bully a student because of his or her Zionist identity, that is not criticism — that is discrimination.
Second, Zionism should be a source of inspiration. Zionism is the culmination of a people’s yearning to return home after nearly 2,000 years of exile. It represents the ability to triumph against all odds; to gather refugees from over 100 nationalities into one sovereign, multicultural, democratic home; to consistently offer humanitarian aid around the world; to seek peace in a hostile neighborhood.
Zionism is about freedom of speech and freedom of religion; about the right to dissent, to argue, to criticize. Zionism is a messy, feisty, imperfect work-in-progress that can be a liberating model for the rest of the Middle East. Indeed, if Arab countries offered its citizens the same rights and freedoms that Israeli Arabs enjoy in a Zionist country, that alone would represent major progress.
It’s time we stop apologizing for Zionism and make it the new frontier of Israel activism. Activist groups would be wise to rally around this message: Discrimination against Zionist students is unacceptable, with or without anti-Semitism, and saying “I am a Zionist” is as legitimate and worthy of respect as saying “I am a Jew.”
‘I’m a Zionist’ Is New Frontier of Israel Activism
David Suissa
When pro-Israel activists confront the Israel bashing that has been so prevalent on college campuses, they often argue that anti-Zionism is really a cover for anti-Semitism. In so doing, they convey the message that, somehow, anti-Zionism is not bad enough. It needs the added charge of Jew-hatred to get the world’s attention.
Even if it is true that anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism are intimately connected, we let anti-Zionists off the hook when we make the link. All they have to do is claim that they don’t hate Jews, and, voila, Israel bashing can continue.
This has had a corrosive effect on Israel’s image, particularly among the new generation of American Jews who are critical of Israeli policies. Because they don’t see any “anti-Semitism” per se in anti-Zionism, many of them have joined the Israel-bashing crowd thinking they’re part of a noble cause fighting for the underdogs.
There is nothing noble, of course, about anti-Zionism, or, as my friend Judea Pearl calls it, Zionophobia.
Zionophobia is an insightful term because it captures the truth that anti-Zionism has nothing to do with criticism and everything to do with denying a people’s right. The boycott, divestment, sanctions (BDS) movement, which embodies and defines Zionophobia, makes no bones about this. Its goal is the elimination of the Jewish state because Jews, in the BDS view, have no right to a homeland.
This is where Israel activism must go — Zionism as an expression of human rights. Zionism as a genuine, independent identity.
You can see this starting to happen. In a statement released Aug. 30 by 43 members of the USC faculty in support of Rose Ritch, who had to resign from student government, the focus was squarely on her Zionist identity.
“Rose Ritch was subjected to vicious online harassment, and her qualification to hold elected office was questioned on the basis of her professed Zionism,” the statement read. “We find it unacceptable that such blatant discrimination on the basis of a student’s belief, identity, or national origin could take place on our campus.”
The word “identity” is essential. It suggests that “I am a Zionist” should be as legitimate as “I am a Jew.” As Pearl likes to say, “Religion doesn’t have a monopoly on Jewish identity. You don’t have to be God-fearing or even Jewish to be a Zionist.”
The letter’s focus on anti-Zionism contrasts with the official response of USC leaders to the Rose Ritch incident, which focused on anti-Semitism. As Pearl told me, “Fighting antisemitism gives [college leaders] a cover up for inaction and a license to avoid the real source of campus hostility – Zionophobia.”
Contrary to what critics claim, Zionism is not a zero-sum game. As the faculty letter asserts, Zionism is inherently not in conflict with other rights, such as Palestinian rights:
“As supporters of the Zionist idea — the right of the Jewish people to a homeland and self-determination — we stand by the rights of all people, including Israelis and Palestinians, to freedom, dignity and peaceful coexistence, and to advocate for their causes with fairness and respect on our campus and in the world.”
In a tweet following the release of the statement, Pearl wrote: “The anti-Zionism virus, which has long been ignored or considered untreatable, now demands a specific vaccine, tailored to its own distinct chemistry. This long overdue letter is inspirational to students and faculty nation-wide.”
Focusing activism around Zionism doesn’t mean downplaying Judaism or anti-Semitism. It simply means identifying a specific threat and treating it as such. It says: “If you believe that Israel does not have a right to exist as a Jewish state, we don’t especially care whether or not that belief comes from a place of animosity toward Jews. The belief itself is bad enough.”
Making Zionism the driving force of the pro-Israel movement requires a two-fold approach — one based on protection, the other on inspiration.
First, when students are harassed and bullied because of their Zionist identity, we must demand that college leaders explicitly condemn anti-Zionism as blatant discrimination and impose consequences. Zionist students cannot walk around in fear of expressing their identity. They deserve the same protection as all other students.
We’re not talking here about protection from criticism. There is a crucial distinction between criticism and discrimination. You may criticize Israeli policies all you want, but when you single out and bully a student because of his or her Zionist identity, that is not criticism — that is discrimination.
Second, Zionism should be a source of inspiration. Zionism is the culmination of a people’s yearning to return home after nearly 2,000 years of exile. It represents the ability to triumph against all odds; to gather refugees from over 100 nationalities into one sovereign, multicultural, democratic home; to consistently offer humanitarian aid around the world; to seek peace in a hostile neighborhood.
Zionism is about freedom of speech and freedom of religion; about the right to dissent, to argue, to criticize. Zionism is a messy, feisty, imperfect work-in-progress that can be a liberating model for the rest of the Middle East. Indeed, if Arab countries offered its citizens the same rights and freedoms that Israeli Arabs enjoy in a Zionist country, that alone would represent major progress.
It’s time we stop apologizing for Zionism and make it the new frontier of Israel activism. Activist groups would be wise to rally around this message: Discrimination against Zionist students is unacceptable, with or without anti-Semitism, and saying “I am a Zionist” is as legitimate and worthy of respect as saying “I am a Jew.”
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Being Good is Easier to Resist than Sweezy vs New Hampshire
A Bisl Torah – Souls Connected
All the Fish in the Sea – A poem for Parsha Acharei Mot
State Legislator Demands Federal Probe into UCLA’s Failure to Protect Pupils
Chancellor Block Addresses Pro-Palestinian Encampment Removal: “It Needed to Come to an End”
Police Clear Pro-Palestinian Encampment at UCLA
Culture
Welcome Back, Carbs!
A Perfect Pair of Confits
‘The Enemy Beside Me’: Can the Truth of Lithuania Holocaust History Be Told in Lithuania to Lithuanians and By Lithuanians?
A History of a Pivotal Era in Palestine Wins a Top Jewish Book Prize
The Assault: A Coordinated Attack on America’s Jews and Israel
American Jews are awakening to a new political reality concerning our changing status and position in the United States.
We Need Tactical Training to Combat Campus Antisemitism
We need on-the-ground tactical training for Jewish student activists and leaders if the Jewish community is going to push back against this madness and protect college students.
Chico Menashe: Asif: Culinary Institute of Israel, Cooking with Chutzpah and The Open Kitchen Project
Taste Buds with Deb – Episode 54
Print Issue: In the Shadow of Nova | May 3, 2024
Why are anti-Israel protesters on college campuses so agitated? An exhibit in New York City on the Oct. 7 massacre at the Nova festival shines a light on the confusion and madness of our times.
A Moment in Time: “Our Educators Need to Learn Their ABC‘S”
Hollywood
Spielberg Says Antisemitism Is “No Longer Lurking, But Standing Proud” Like 1930s Germany
Young Actress Juju Brener on Her “Hocus Pocus 2” Role
Behind the Scenes of “Jeopardy!” with Mayim Bialik
Podcasts
Chico Menashe: Asif: Culinary Institute of Israel, Cooking with Chutzpah and The Open Kitchen Project
Beth Lee: OMG Yummy, Exciting Flavors and Preserved Lemons
More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.