Zion Train

I listened to a podcast today on Israel, Labour and anti-semitism. It was a few months old from the glory days of Jeremy Corbyn prior to the election and before it was clear he would finally stand down and nobody gave a shit about anti-semitism anymore. In reality the podcast discussed Israel far more that Labour and this is more what I would like to focus on.

The main idea that entered my mind was how both side have such strength in belief that they are the ones on the right side of both morality and history. At one point they were discussing the concept of Zionism and what it means for both. For one the understanding is that zionism is merely a militaristic and nationalistic excuse for expansion, genocide and power under the guise of protecting a religion. Criticism of Zionism from this perspective has nothing to do with Judaism and accusations of anti-semitism are laughed off as attempts by right-wingers to deflect from the actions of the state of Israel. Proponents of the other side belief that Zionism and Judaism are intrinsically linked, that Zionism is connected to the very survival of the Jewish people. An attack therefore on Zionism is an anti-semitic attack upon the Jewish people, to attack the validity of Zionism is an attack upon the very existence of a people.

The podcast was a progressive one and it was interviewing a British Israeli man who seemed reasonably neutral. He believed that the majority in Israel linked Zionism with Judaism and were for that reason supportive of Israel strengthening it’s position in the region. It would create a safe haven for the Jewish people, something strongly felt in the national conscious after the horrors of the holocaust. Of course while that may be the majority it doesn’t mean that everyone believes this, and there is a large anti-zionist anti-nationalist movement in Israel, it does explain why people see attacks on Israel as anti-semitic though. I am not suggesting for a second that all the vitriol against Corbyn and Labour at the last election was justified, but it has made me understand another perspective in a way that I and I suspect many others haven’t fully comprehended before.

For me the idea I am being anti-semitic when I accuse Israel of doing wrong, and even when I question whether the state of Israel should exist considering events surrounding and since it’s establishment, I am in no way equating it with Judaism but merely the political ideology of Zionism. From that perspective it sounds so ludicrous to be accused of anti-semitism that it is dismissed as an illegitimate political attack and manipulation of fear around genuine anti-semitism. While I don’t doubt there is an element of that it doesn’t take into consideration that if people genuinely equate Israel, Zionism and Judaism all as one thing, holistically existing together and depending on each other, then an attack on one is an attack on all. While I may not necessarily agree with it it is understandable to link the three of them, especially Israel and Judaism, together, who am I to say that they’re not and cannot be.

My intention here is not to argue one way or another but merely to acknowledge that there is another way to view this and while that is obvious, it leads to a bit more of an understanding that being accused to anti-semitism for attacking Israel perhaps has more to it than dismissing it as just another political stunt. I can see why someone may believe something, not just what they believe; it doesn’t have to change your mind but it certainly allows for an understanding that yours is not the only one. And with that it’s time to acknowledge another groundbreaking event…stop the press…this man just discovered there is another side to an argument…