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I have changed my opinion over the years

Reader comment on item: "Jewish" - Not the Same as "Pro-Israel"

Submitted by sigmund (United States), Sep 20, 2009 at 16:09

According to the Merriam Webster Online Dictionary Zionism is "an international movement originally for the establishment of a Jewish national or religious community in Palestine and later for the support of modern Israel." I used to say that I supported the state of Israel but, though Jewish, I was NOT a Zionist. By that I meant that I was not a Jew who felt that every Jew had a duty to go to Israel and that the correct place for all Jews was Israel. I believed, and I still believe, that one can support Israel very strongly and yet not be a member of the above defined "international movement."

Saying that I support Israel, but am nevertheless not a Zionist myself, was to me like saying that I support vegetarianism as a great idea and probably one of the most healthy life choices that one can make, but at the moment I am not a vegetarian. This is still my position: I support Israel but I do not want to live there myself and, indeed, I think all Jews should make their own choices individually.

But as Israel has come under increasing criticism and attack (most of which I believe has been unfair), I have decided it is best simply to call myself a Zionist. Most people define "Zionist" as one who supports Zionism and, in fact, the usual dictionary definition appears to apply the term Zionist to anyone who supports Zionism. But even a Zionist who believes that he/she must go and become part of Israel need not agree with every Israeli policy. Certainly the citizens of Israel, both Jews and non-Jews, have many disagreements among themselves.

But I think that the underlying thought of this whole discussion is not to split hairs about the nuances of what Zionism or Zionist means. It is to point out that a number of Jews, far from being Zionists even in the sense that I am a Zionist, are actually against the state of Israel. They believe that either it should be destroyed entirely or changed so radically that it might as well be destroyed. They believe that Israel does not have the same right to defend itself against attack that most other countries have and that the founding of Israel was unjust from the beginning because they feel that it involved theft of the land from the "Palestinians." I think that this is the real distinction. I believe that those people are wrong. But even in this case there are nuances and not everyone who opposes Israel opposes it in precisely the same way.

I do not really understand how intelligent people, Jews or non-Jews, can get so far into anti-Israeli position as some do. But neither do I understand why some intelligent people still support Communism. Human beings make decisions in complex ways. When Jews have such anti-Israel beliefs they are often thrown into the category of "self hating Jews" but I do not think that such a categorization does justice to the issue. Like every other nation that exists or has ever existed, Israel has not always acted with perfect justice. This creates a terrible dilemma in the minds of many Jews who would prefer Israel and all Jewish institutions and activities to be perfect. I believe that some Jews over-react and instead of looking for what might be "win win" solutions to improving conditions and moving toward a higher level of justice, they flip over to the dark side of destruction. But I do not claim that this explains the phenomenon either.

My personal belief is that there may be some "win win" solutions available, but finding and implementing them will be difficult. Perhaps some of the "self-hating Jews" could be encouraged to find solutions more creative and constructive than simply tearing down Israel.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (78) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
"liberal Zionists" vs Pragmatism (re Beinart,Haaretz) [165 words]LeaJul 14, 2020 07:32259633
Is J-Street a neo-Bundist movement? [72 words]
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James and Churchill. [197 words]Martin HoranOct 14, 2011 19:29162115
Mr Pipes is right on..trying to make peace with a "crocodile" only gets your arm chopped off as you try to pet him. [117 words]Ben ZalmanSep 21, 2009 13:02161848
It's our Jewish youth that worries me. My Grandson didnt even know what "Zionism" means! [80 words]Ben ZalmanSep 21, 2009 12:48161847
I have changed my opinion over the years [636 words]sigmundSep 20, 2009 16:09161803
Liberalism as Religious Faith [177 words]Fay VoshellSep 8, 2009 13:53161264
Becoming very weary of Anglo Jews in the Democrat Party [129 words]James B from CanadaSep 15, 2009 13:53161264
James, unfortunately you forgot some major self hating players [185 words]saraSep 15, 2009 18:02161264
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3Why I am not a Zionist anymore [1009 words]Marc FeldmanSep 7, 2009 10:32161199
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Fascinating [20 words]NicholasSep 19, 2021 01:54161199
Definitively Fascinating - Why the Presence of Israel as a Conclusion of Zionism is Still Debated [99 words]M ToveySep 19, 2021 15:10161199
taking care of "the beloved" [94 words]Michele EzellSep 4, 2009 15:08161068
Who tries the hearts [91 words]Michele EzellOct 4, 2009 15:35161068
about hearts [91 words]MicheleJan 15, 2010 06:28161068
Proud Zionist [68 words]SBSep 1, 2009 20:50160947
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w/response from Daniel Pipes
LouisAug 28, 2009 19:17160744
Zionism should be historical. Call it Israeli nationalism or simply Pro-Israel. [139 words]Marc FeldmanOct 22, 2009 18:52160744
Allah against the Palestinians and muslims [64 words]Christian MohamadAug 24, 2009 17:10160600
1Sorry Christian Mohamad... [124 words]DillahSep 20, 2009 16:16160600
Beheadings [124 words]Christian MohamadSep 23, 2009 08:11160600
Yes and he also said... [22 words]LynnSep 23, 2009 10:17160600
imams Were able to fool the Muslims and non muslims [189 words]01SpSep 29, 2009 08:25160600
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European Koran [316 words]Krisitian MohammedOct 9, 2009 01:42160600
You can't erase the past. [197 words]LynnOct 12, 2009 12:42160600
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New Quran [428 words]LynnOct 20, 2009 09:13160600
RE: to Krisitian Mohamad [303 words]DillahNov 11, 2009 19:17160600
Another victim of Islam and Arabinan imperialism [231 words]dhimmi no moreNov 12, 2009 08:08160600
A Spiritual Divide [251 words]Fay VoshellAug 24, 2009 10:54160590
??? [26 words]PavaAug 24, 2009 00:01160574
Clarifying definitions [146 words]Rebecca MouldsAug 21, 2009 09:34160490
Agree Rebecca- regarding Christian Zionists. [132 words]YnnatchkahAug 23, 2009 02:53160490
You Know Nothing About Christian Zionists [106 words]LogiconSep 3, 2009 09:59160490
Really??? [35 words]Rebecca MouldsSep 4, 2009 17:54160490
To Clarify [91 words]Michele EzellSep 4, 2009 21:04160490
References [29 words]Michele EzellSep 26, 2009 00:48160490
Zionism is not Judaism [41 words]Franz von FearAug 21, 2009 03:27160483
"Jews are adherents of a faith, not a political movement-"quote from your column [65 words]David ZoharAug 20, 2009 02:06160449
Jewish not the same as Pro-Israel [74 words]Yitzhak FiersteinAug 20, 2009 01:22160447
Note the Jews in the US congress. [180 words]M.D.Aug 19, 2009 17:37160435
1Tell it to the pro-Palestinians [72 words]Cheryl MAug 19, 2009 16:03160428
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w/response from Daniel Pipes
informAug 19, 2009 14:50160421
Zionism and Judaism [97 words]Stefan MarcusAug 19, 2009 14:03160419
Zionism [55 words]Janusz KowealikAug 19, 2009 13:43160415
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Our enemies usually don't discriminate [142 words]sheik Yer'MamiAug 19, 2009 23:26160410
must take exception to one statement, "Jews are adherents of a faith, not a political movement" -- [37 words]MarkAug 19, 2009 09:24160409
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Islamist "love" for Jews. [156 words]GenivaldoAug 18, 2009 17:50160376
Who is a Zionist? [103 words]Isaac FlaksAug 18, 2009 10:06160361
Who is a Zionist - Indeed! [489 words]M. ToveySep 3, 2009 19:04160361
Remember. [355 words]LynnAug 18, 2009 09:43160360
Interesting comment on Jews [97 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Debanjan BanerjeeAug 18, 2009 09:00160359
But aren't you . . . ? [116 words]RebekahAug 18, 2009 08:46160358
My Christian upbringing makes me a Christian Zionist ! [244 words]Phil GreendAug 17, 2009 23:31160341
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the real israel [186 words]ayahSep 21, 2009 18:42160341
What bogus sources are you getting your info from I wonder [658 words]saraSep 22, 2009 18:38160341
An explanation to my views [960 words]ayahSep 23, 2009 01:07160341
Christian Zionism Requires Full Understanding of the Hebrew Holy Bible [521 words]M. ToveySep 23, 2009 17:02160341

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