Anti-Zionism Equal To Anti-Semitism

To the Editors:

I write out of concern over the anti-Semitic rhetoric that underlies the Oberlin Students for a Free Palestine’s campaign against Israel. Make no mistake about it; there is no problem with criticizing Israeli policies or leadership. There is however, a deep anti-Jewish sentiment associated with suggesting that Israel should not exist.
Zionism is the liberation movement of the Jewish people. It is built on the significance of Jewish culture and religion, as well as a deep connection with and claim to the land of Israel. It is not an ‘imperialist’ ideology nor does it demand the displacement or oppression of another group.
Denying the Jews’ connection or claim to the land is unequivocally anti-Semitic. Judaism is not simply a religion, but a culture and a people inextricably tied to a homeland. Connection to the land of Israel is fundamental to Judaism and the Jewish experience in history. It is Jew hatred to erase that connection or to characterize it is as racist or wrong. Anti-Zionism denies the exile of the Jewish people from the land of Israel, and the historical significance of Jewish suffering in Diaspora — and I’m not just talking about the Holocaust.
Anti-Zionism is the latest face of a millennium-old inclination to demonize Jews. Israel struggled to develop as a refuge against worldwide Jewish persecution, including in the Arab world, where brutal, state-sponsored attacks on Jews followed the creation of the state of Israel, forcing most to flee there. In response to the conflict today, attacks are carried out in Europe and North Africa against Jewish schools, synagogues, homes and businesses-against Jews, not Zionists.
Still say anti-Zionism isn’t anti-Semitic? Activists in Europe and North Africa aren’t differentiating between Jews and Zionists. Arab countries never seemed to differentiate. Why does OSFP think its campaign is not falling into the same trap? Why must support for the Palestinian people deny the Jewish right to their homeland in Israel? Being critical of Israel is one thing; attacking Israel’s right to exist and condoning suicide bombing is another.
One must be completely naïve to think that this anti-Zionist rhetoric will not harm Jews — because it does. A Jewish Obie was eating lunch the other day while speaking to a friend. Without mentioning any details, she said that she was going on a short trip to Israel this summer. Everyone at the table immediately got up and left. Around campus peoples’ doors have been defaced because of their support for Israel. Fascist and racist epithets vandalize expressions of Zionism.
This behavior foments Jew hatred of all kinds. Last week in the men’s bathroom on A-level there were three separate anti-Semitic comments, one alluding to a “semitic conspiracy,” one framing-Jews as a “money-lending constituency,” and a blatant “jews should go to hell.”
The time for apathy or liberal complacency has expired. The anti-Zionist propaganda represented by OSFP is dangerous to both the Jewish and Palestinian cause. It is detrimental to resolving the conflict as a whole. The right Palestinians have to a homeland of their own must be afforded to the Jews as well. Denying Israel’s right to exist has been the primary historical catalyst for aggression against it.
OSFP’s campaign is not working toward reconciliation, but confrontation. It is imperative that we all recognize the pain and suffering of both sides-but most of all-the inherent right of each side to live in its homeland securely.

–Daniel Neuman
College junior