Jacobin Radio The Dig: Zionism vs. Anti-Zionism Ep. 1 w/ Shaul Magid
Dec 8, 2023
Shaul Magid, an expert on the history of Jewish Zionism and anti-Zionism, discusses the long-standing conflict between the two. The podcast explores the reasons behind Jewish opposition to Zionism and the struggles faced by the Israeli settler colonial project. It also delves into the origins and differences of anti-Zionist movements, the role of Mizraki Jews in the Zionist movement, and the legacy of the Jewish Bund.
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Anti‑Zionism Is Not Automatic Antisemitism
- The US House resolution equating anti-Zionism with antisemitism aims to silence diverse Jewish critics of Israel.
- Daniel Denvir and Shaul Magid argue this erases long Jewish anti-Zionist traditions and polices Jewish identity.
Zionism As A Secular Reaction To Emancipation
- Zionism emerged as a secular response to doubts about emancipation's ability to secure Jewish safety and identity in Europe.
- It mirrored European nationalism and proposed territorial solution outside Europe to preserve Jewish distinctiveness.
Why Palestine Became The Chosen Site
- The land of Israel wasn't the only territorial option; historical memory and marketing made it the chosen site.
- Colonial collapse and British mandate later made Palestine feasible for mass Zionist settlement.