In today’s political climate, few terms are thrown around with as much force, and as much confusion, as antisemitism and anti-Zionism. They are often spoken in the same breath, treated as interchangeable, or used to shut down conversations before they even begin. But these two concepts are not the same, and understanding the difference between them is essential for anyone who cares about truth, justice, and honest public discourse. Antisemitism is a form of hatred. It is prejudice, discrimination, or hostility directed at Jewish people because they are Jewish. It has a long, painful history, one marked by violence, exclusion, scapegoating, and genocide. Antisemitism is real, dangerous, and must be confronted wherever it appears. It targets people for their identity, their culture, their faith, and their existence. It is a moral wrong with no justification. Anti Zionism, on the other hand, is a political position. It is a critique, or rejection, of the political ideology that supports the establishment and maintenance of a Jewish nation state in historic Palestine. Anti Zionism challenges state policies, systems of governance, and the consequences of those policies for Palestinians. It is not about religion. It is not about ethnicity. It is not about Jewish identity. It is about power, land, displacement, and the political structures that shape life and death in the region. The confusion between these two terms is not accidental. In many political spaces, the line between antisemitism and anti Zionism has been deliberately blurred. Some institutions and advocacy groups argue that criticizing Zionism or even criticizing the Israeli government is inherently antisemitic. This framing collapses a complex political ideology into a single identity, making it nearly impossible to discuss human rights violations, occupation, or the lived experiences of Palestinians without being accused of bigotry. But conflating these terms does more than distort the conversation, it harms everyone involved. It weakens the fight against real antisemitism by stretching the definition so far that it loses meaning. It silences Palestinians and their allies by labeling their calls for justice as hate speech. And it prevents honest, necessary debate about policies that have shaped decades of conflict, displacement, and suffering. To be clear: Opposing antisemitism is a moral obligation. Critiquing Zionism is a political stance. These two things can coexist. They often do. Many Jewish scholars, activists, and communities around the world are themselves anti Zionist, rooted in ethical, religious, or historical reasons. Their voices remind us that Jewish identity is not monolithic, and that dissent is not betrayal. Likewise, many people who critique Zionism do so out of a commitment to universal human rights, not out of hatred for any group. Understanding the difference between antisemitism and anti Zionism is not just an academic exercise, it is a step toward clearer dialogue, deeper empathy, and a more honest reckoning with the realities of the present moment. It allows us to confront genuine hatred without silencing legitimate political critique. It allows us to defend Jewish communities from bigotry while also defending Palestinian communities from injustice. And it allows us to speak truthfully about power without fear of being misunderstood, or deliberately misrepresented. This conversation matters. Because clarity matters. Because justice matters. Because words shape the world we live in. Welcome to This Week in Palestine.
Bob Funke, Stan Robinson, Stephen R. Low, Sofia Rose Wolman, Juliet Salameh Olivier, Dr. Rana Awwad, Professor Yara Rashid, Abby Masri, Tahani Abu Mosa, Reynad Alghool, and editor Mohammed Alghool
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