The Take Breaking Zionism’s trauma loop with Dr. Gabor Mate
Nov 3, 2025
In this discussion, Dr. Gabor Maté, a retired physician and author renowned for his work on trauma and addiction, reflects on his journey from a Holocaust survivor embracing Zionism to a critic of Israeli policies. He discusses how collective Jewish trauma has shaped Zionism and the impacts of historical trauma on current events, particularly regarding Gaza. Maté interrogates the myth of Jewish nonresistance during the Holocaust, highlights the complex views on dehumanization, and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging Palestinian voices in the ongoing conflict.
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Survival Shaped Early Zionist Beliefs
- Gabor Maté described surviving Nazi occupation as an infant and the loss of relatives in Auschwitz.
- He said that early trauma and separation from his mother pushed him toward Zionism as a teenager in Canada.
Photo That Holds Sorrow And Gratitude
- Maté discussed a photo of him as an infant with his mother wearing a yellow star that his wife later painted.
- He said the image evokes both deep sorrow and gratitude for surviving due to his mother's and strangers' love.
Zionism Framed As Redemption With Cost
- Maté said studying non‑Zionist sources revealed the movement's suppression of Palestinian rights.
- He concluded Zionism justified another people's suffering to redeem Jewish trauma.