•           CONTENT OVERVIEW           
  • ​                    DISCUSSION QUESTIONS                  
  •              RELEVANT TEACH-INS             
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This online module explores one of the most pressing challenges facing scholars, activists, and communities in solidarity with Palestine: the deliberate conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Through a series of powerful and accessible teach-in segments, students will examine how this conflation operates to delegitimize critique of Zionism and silence opposition to Israel’s settler colonial violence.

Grounded in a historical understanding of antisemitism as a persistent and deadly form of oppression targeting Jewish communities, this module traces how the fight against antisemitism has been co-opted to shield the Israeli state from accountability. Students will explore how accusations of antisemitism are strategically deployed to undermine movements for Palestinian liberation and to criminalize dissent—particularly in the wake of pivotal events like October 7th.

Rather than accepting the false binary that casts support for Palestinians as inherently antisemitic, this module invites students to think critically, historically, and ethically. It offers essential tools for distinguishing between the defense of Jewish safety and the defense of a violent state project—and for resisting efforts that collapse the two.
1. How did anti-semitism emerge in Europe historically and how was it institutionalized? How did Jews transform from a religious category to a racialized category and how does this transformation connect to colonialism?

2. How did Zionism emerge at the height of European imperialism and what was its relationship to European colonialism? How did anti-Zionism develop?

3. In what ways is anti-semitism conflated with anti-Zionism and how is anti-semitism weaponized against those in solidarity with Palestinians?
​All segments in this Composite Module are drawn from the below teach-ins. Click on the title to watch the full teach-in.
  1. ​Weaponizing Antisemitism
  2. Is Anti-Zionism Antisemitism?

​Conflating Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism

​Shira Robinson offers an insightful discussion on the historic discrimination legalized and enacted within Israel against Palestinians and the consequences of conflating Anti-Zionism with antisemitism while highlighting the growing disconnect between Jewish communities and Zionist groups

History of Anti-Semitism and the Emergence of Zionism

In this clip, Sherene Saikaly outlines the very real history of Judeo-phobia and anti-semitism. She explores its roots in the medieval period in Europe, where it was institutionalized by the Catholic Church, and covers the emergence of Jews as a racialized category at the height of European colonialism.

Does Anti-Zionism =
​Anti-Semitism?

In these segments, our speakers address one of the biggest issues confronting those fighting for Palestinian rights and freedom. That issues is the conflation of anti-Zionism and anti-semitism. Our speaker address the histories of anti-semitism and anti-Zionism and how they emerged. We also ask what it would mean to abandon the category of anti-semitism altogether, and what concepts could replace it to account for racism towards Jews.

On Abandoning the Category of
​Anti-Semitism

​What are the scholarly arguments for abandoning the term 'antisemitism' given Israel's weaponisation of the term to evade accountability while criminalising pro-Palestinian speech? Learn more from our speakers.​

How is Anti-Semitism Being Weaponized?

The conflation of anti-semitism with anti-Zionism is increasingly a problem in public discourses. However, we should also ask how exactly is it being weaponized both in discourse and in terms of policies and laws? What are the real material consequences and dangers of calling pro-Palestine activism antisemitic in the United States?

New Policies Equating Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism

Our speakers extend the conversation on 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

Organizations Weaponizing
​Anti-Semitism

Adam Horowitz outlines how various organizations including the Anti-Defamation League and the Brandeis Center are coordinating to weaponize claims of anti-Semitism to push for the repression pro-Palestine activism. ​​

On the H.R.6090 (Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Bill)

What impact will the passing of H.R.6090 (Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 Bill) in U.S. congress have on educational institutions across the states? Listen to the critical responses our speakers offer.