Dig: Zionism vs. Anti-Zionism Ep. 1 w/ Shaul Magid
Dec 8, 2023
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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.
Reform Jews opposed Zionism based on assimilationist arguments, while Orthodox Jews opposed it as a rebellion against God.
European colonial powers supported Zionism, seeing Jewish settlement in Palestine as a solution to Jewish integration in Europe.
The Bund, a socialist organization, viewed Yiddish culture as central to a Jewish nation and sought to unite Jewish workers in the broader socialist movement.
There were tensions between Mizrahi Jews and Ashkenazi-led Zionism, with many Mizrahi Jews resisting assimilation and maintaining their own cultural identity.
Deep dives
Divergent perspectives on Jewish anti-Zionism
Early American Zionists were a minority among American Jews, while many Reform and Orthodox Jews were anti-Zionist. Reform Jews opposed Zionism based on assimilationist social and political arguments, while many Orthodox Jews opposed it on religious grounds as a rebellion against God. The Bund, a radical socialist organization, played a significant role in Jewish anti-Zionism in Eastern Europe. They viewed Yiddish culture as central to a Jewish nation and saw their struggle as part of a broader socialist movement.
European colonial powers and Zionism
European colonial powers, motivated by their eagerness to resolve the Jewish question elsewhere, supported Zionism. They saw Jewish settlement in Palestine as a solution to the problem of Jewish integration in Europe. Some also viewed Zionism through the lens of Christian dispensationalism, seeing the return of Jews to Israel as fulfilling biblical prophecy. The support of European powers, such as the British with the Balfour Declaration, facilitated Zionist immigration to Palestine.
Rejection of Zionism by Reform and Orthodox Jews
Reform Jews opposed Zionism, believing in the viability of Jewish life in exile and promoting integration within their respective countries. Orthodox Jews resisted Zionism on religious grounds, considering it a false messianism and an abrogation of the covenant of exile established by the rabbis. They believed that Jews should not establish a state until the Messiah arrives.
The Bund's anti-Zionist socialist vision
The Bund, a socialist organization, articulated anti-Zionism as part of a Jewish socialist struggle. They viewed the Jewish nation as centered in Eastern Europe and saw Yiddish culture as integral to their identity. The Bund believed in the emancipation of all workers, regardless of nationality, and sought to unite Jewish workers with their non-Jewish counterparts in the broader socialist movement.
The Complexities of Jewish Anti-Zionism
In this podcast episode, the complexities of Jewish anti-Zionism are explored. The discussion delves into the historical context of various anti-Zionist movements and the perspectives held by different groups of Jewish individuals. One key point highlighted is the presence of socialist and communist Jewish anti-Zionists in European and American contexts. These individuals viewed Zionism as a bourgeois project that conscripted Jews into whiteness and opposed working-class Jewish interests. The influence of socialist thinking and the racial dynamics within Zionism are discussed, as well as the tensions and contradictions within the Jewish socialist movement itself.
The Role of Mizrahi Jews and Arab Jews
The podcast also touches on the experiences and perspectives of Mizrahi Jews, or Arab Jews, within the Zionist project. It is noted that initially, Zionism was led by Ashkenazi Jews, and there was a colonialist attitude towards Mizrahi Jews. Efforts were made to 'de-Arabize' the Arab Jewish population and assimilate them into the Europeanized vision of Zionism. However, there were tensions between the Mizrahi Jews and Zionists, with many Mizrahi Jews resisting the project and maintaining their own cultural identity. The podcast highlights the marginalization and mistreatment of Mizrahi Jews within Israel, as well as their subsequent political mobilization.
Communist and Socialist Jewish Anti-Zionism in America
The podcast also examines the presence of communist and socialist Jewish anti-Zionists in America, particularly during the 1930s. The discussion emphasizes that a significant number of American Jews were members of communist-led organizations, and many held anti-Zionist views. These Jewish anti-Zionists saw Zionism as a bourgeois project that went against working-class Jewish interests. They also believed that Zionism conscripted Jews into whiteness, and saw it as a form of racial oppression. The tensions between Zionism and socialist ideals are explored, as well as the marginalized position of the Jewish communist movement within American Jewish history.
Featuring Shaul Magid on the long history of Jewish Zionism and its antagonist, Jewish anti-Zionism. Defenders of Israel defame anti-Zionists as antisemites. In fact, today's growing ranks of anti-Zionist Jews draw on a powerful and diverse tradition.
