What is Zionism?

I can understand why so many people are angry with Israel’s actions in Gaza recently, and even since its independence in 1948. I can also understand why many folks consider themselves “pro-Palestinian” and even “anti-Zionist.”

If handled thoughtfully, none of those positions is automatically anti-semitic (see also: What is Antisemitism?). But where people may go wrong is when they invoke terms like “Zionist”, “Apartheid” and “White Colonialism” meaning one thing, but undermining their own positions.

This article should hopefully clear up some of those issues, without defending most of the usual things one might be upset with Israel about.

FWIW, I don’t vote in Israel, and so I tend not to criticize it publicly, saving my verbal ammunition for the USA and MAGA where I can hopefully do some good. But adding historical context, scientific inquiry, and a touch of nuance shouldn’t hurt anyone, right? Right?

[If this does make you angry, you can comment of course, but I’ll only post the most rational ones, maybe with a response. I have no time for hatred.]

Zionism

To understand the nuance, first note that Democracy is a basic founding principle of the USA and others that says:

Every citizen should have an equal voice in their government

Now, we don’t typically say that Democracy implies Manifest Destiny — or other terms for the rampant abuse the USA inflicted on the…