By Selina Riachi | Staff Writer
Description: Jews all around the world have consistently spoken against Israel and its policies. They have advocated for Palestinians and their rights, demanding a ceasefire and a stop to the genocide in Gaza. “Jewish Voices for Peace”, “If Not Now”, and “International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network” are some of the most prominent anti-Zionist Jewish organizations calling for peace and the end to Israel’s apartheid system.
Despite popular belief, many Jews all around the world have protested against Zionism for years. Since October 7, their views have become even more well-known and debated. Now that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza has worsened, leaving Palestinians in desperate need of humanitarian access, anti-Zionist Jews have made sure that their voices were heard and understood by uniting through organizations and leading protests.
Why are Jews usually conflated with Zionism?
There has been a recent trend of synonymizing anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Despite the two being very different, with anti-Zionism opposing the movement for “self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland, the land of Israel”, and antisemitism being “prejudice or discrimination against Jews because they’re Jewish”, they have been repeatedly conflated.
In 2016, the IHRA organization (The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance) established its definition of antisemitism, giving 11 contemporary examples of antisemitic acts, 6 of which include Israel. Many, including Jewish activist Simone Zimmerman, believe that this new definition of antisemitism was created to shut down arguments against Israel. By legitimizing this definition and integrating it into laws of hate speech around the world, people could not hold Israel accountable for its apartheid system, investigate war crimes, or call for a ceasefire in Gaza without being called antisemitic. It is the strategy used to silence criticism of Israel, curtail freedom of speech, and foster anti-Palestinian racism. As Kenneth Stern, who drafted this definition, stated, it is being weaponized by the right-wing Jewish community. By looking at the terms as synonyms, Israel can shield itself from international law and evade consequences for atrocities in Gaza. Conflating anti-Zionism and antisemitism only works in Israel’s favor, as it silences pro-Palestinian voices, including that of pro-Palestinian Jews.
By labeling any act against Israel as antisemitic, the public immediately synonymizes Jews with Zionism. As Lara Freidman, the President of the Foundation for Middle East Peace, stated, “It is antisemitic to conflate Israel and Jews, and the ADL and I agree on that. The problem is that the ADL also says if you don’t conflate Israel and Jews, you’re an antisemite, and that’s incredibly dangerous”. Of course, no one should target a Jewish person or hold them accountable for Israel’s actions but insisting that Zionism is intrinsic to that Jewish person’s identity is counterintuitive. It suggests that every Jew is a Zionist who stands for Israel and its policies.
Who are these Jewish activists?
Although many Jews are taught that supporting Israel should be part of their identity, an increasing number have challenged their belief system and now sympathize with the Palestinians. Other than differentiating between anti-Zionism and antisemitism, they stand in solidarity with the Palestinian freedom struggle, strive to end the support for Israel’s apartheid system, and demand equality and justice. They also hold Israel accountable for its actions, by spreading awareness, creating organizations, and leading pro-Palestinian rallies.
One of the most prominent. organizations is “Jewish Voice for Peace”, the world’s largest progressive Jewish anti-Zionist organization. They refer to themselves as a political home for Jews on the left, who consistently publish news, spread awareness, and take action for Palestinians. They have spoken out about the genocide in Gaza, the need for a ceasefire, the dangers of defunding UNRWA, and the importance of South Africa winning its trial at the International Court of Justice. While remembering the Holocaust, they also called for the abolishment of the Israeli government’s genocide, demanding an end to the Palestinian suffering. Because of their deep relationship with Palestinians fighting for their own liberation and their understanding of Jewish safety and self-determination, they “have come to see that Zionism was a false and failed answer to the desperately real question many of their ancestors faced of how to protect Jewish lives from murderous antisemitism in Europe.” Another organization of American Jews that thrives for a future for all Palestinians and Israelis is the “If Not Now” movement. They also call for a ceasefire and demand the end of the siege on Gaza. They are also known for their slogan “No Genocide In Our Name” and hold regular events concerning the matter. Another, the International Jewish Anti-Zionist Network, also shares these values. They are known for publishing news, starting campaigns and projects, and marching against genocide in Gaza.
All in all, Jews all over the world are protesting against Israel’s actions. They show their unwavering support towards the Palestinians through marches, petitions, events, campaigns, news, projects, and organizations. They understand that repeating history harms everyone involved.
Resources
https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org
https://www.ifnotnowmovement.org
http://www.ijan.org
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2dVV8HjSpdA&t=7s
https://www.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/zionism
https://holocaustremembrance.com/resources/working-definition-antisemitism
https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/resource/zionism/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/who-are-the-palestinian-and-jewish-led-groups-leading-the-protests-against-israels-action-in-gaza
https://www.ipis.ir/en/subjectview/734334/why-isn’t-the-zionist-regime-representing-the-jews
https://www.alligator.org/article/2023/11/third-pro-palestine-protes