Zionism

In this composite teaching module, we have curated segments of teach-ins around the topic of Zionism. Zionism is the political and secular ideology which emerged in the late 19th century among a small number of European Jews in response to centuries of anti-Semitism in Europe. Theodore Herzl was the first to articulate the idea of Zionism in its modern political and settler-colonial form. Emerging at the height of European colonization of the world, Zionism itself was an explicitly settler-colonial ideology according to its own founders. While Zionism began as a minority position among European Jews it began to grow as an ideology as anti-Semitism intensified in places like Germany and Eastern Europe. The idea was to create a national homeland for Jews in which they could be safe from anti-Semitism. As Zionist thinkers and leaders began to focus on Palestine as the location for a Jewish homeland, they also debated how to deal with the native Palestinian-Arab population. Ultimately Zionists settled on expulsion as the necessary strategy for establishing a Jewish homeland. Learning about Zionism as an ideology and its history is critical to understanding the current situation in Palestine.

All segments in this Composite Module are drawn from the below teach-ins. Click on the title to watch the full teach-in.

A History of Antisemitism

How do practices and policies promoting antisemitism begin to rise across history? How do they serve the Zionist movement? Find out in-detail from Sherene Seikaly's explanation.

The Rise of Zionism

The rise of Zionism as a settler-colonial movement, supported by Western imperial powers, and building on Jewish experiences in Europe is explored and framed with supporting evidence. Sherene Seikaly focuses on how Zionism came as a response to anti-semitism in Europe.

The Beginnings of Zionism -
​A European Idea

The beginnings of Zionism and the conditions under which it emerged deeply shaped its trajectory as a colonial ideology. At the height of European colonialism and in the midst of rampant antisemitism, Zionists such as Theodore Herzl sought to leverage already existing European colonialism across the world and in the Middle East specifically to produce a new home for Jews. Our speakers explain the beginnings of Zionism and the conditions in which it emerged.

Zionism: A Settler-Colonial European Idea

Usama Makdisi offers a critical explanation of the origins of Zionism as a European idea, emerging not from the Jewish community indigenous to the Middle East. Our speaker further highlights the writings of Zionist thinkers that illustrate the colonial settler nature of the movement. 

Enacting Zionism /
​Founding Israel

While Zionism emerged as a political ideology, it quickly began to be actualized as a goal among Zionists in Europe. It was enacted through the process of settler colonialism. Two major pillars for this process were Jewish immigration to Palestine from Europe and the building of Zionist institutions. Our speakers explain how Zionism was implemented as an ideology and how that ideology lined up with the material reality of Palestinian Arabs native to Palestine. 

Zionist Displacement/Replacement of Palestinians

How do we understand the process of displacement and replacement that was carefully manufactured and pushed by the Zionist movement yet shaped to appear 'natural'? Rashid Khalidi explains how Zionists understood their own actions to expel Palestinians.

Zionist Institutions/Jewish Migration

Seikaly offers a clear breakdown of the role Zionist institutions play in facilitating Jewish migration before, during, and after the rise of Nazi Germany.

The Founding of Israel 
​

Many narratives exist on the founding of Israel, infamously propped up by the belief that Palestine was "a land without a people for a people without a land". Khalidi unpacks why such a statement is inherently false.

Zionism Today

Since the establishment of Israel and the Nakba, Zionism has continued to develop and expand as an ideology. Zionism fundamentally frames most contemporary discussions on the occupation, siege, expulsion, and now genocide of Palestinians. Our speakers address how Zionism as an ideology and practice functions today, and how it is used to continue justifying the oppression of Palestinians.

New Policies Equating
​Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism

Adam Horowitz discusses Israel's weaponization of antisemitism to its manifestation within the U.S. emphasizing the enacting of policies that equate anti-Zionism with antisemitism within education settings

On the Israeli Lobby
​Influencing Discourse

John Mearsheimer explains the gap between public and government perceptions of Israel and how the Israeli lobby influences this gap and the overall discourse about Israel.

American Media's Role in
​Reinforcing Zionist Ambitions

​Is there a turning point to be noted in media coverage on Gaza? Adel Iskander explores the question while acknowledging the role American legacy media has played in reinforcing elite political views in favor of Israeli and Zionist ambitions.