US House Declares Anti-Zionism Is Anti Semitism?

More than half of House Democrats declined to back the Republican-written resolution, as some argued that equating criticism of the state of Israel with hatred of the Jewish people went too far.

Outlook Web Desk

Updated on: 6 December 2023 7:09 am

Pro Palestinian protests

The United States House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday, asserting “anti-Zionism is antisemitism”. The measure gained support from almost all Republicans, with only one abstention, and a substantial minority of Democrats. The resolution, introduced by Jewish Republicans Max Miller of Ohio and David Kustoff of Tennessee, secured a 311-14 vote, with 92 Democratic members abstaining by voting “present”.

Framed as a symbolic effort to counter the “drastic rise of anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world,” the resolution took a firm stance, explicitly stating that the House “clearly and firmly states that anti-Zionism is antisemitism”. Additionally, it condemned the slogan “From the River to the Sea”, traditionally seen by rights advocates as an aspirational call for equality in historic Palestine.

Moreover, it took a critical view of recent demonstrations in Washington, D.C., where advocates gathered to demand a ceasefire. The resolution referred to the participants as “rioters'' who allegedly “spewed hateful and vile language amplifying antisemitic themes”.

All House Republicans but one — Congressman Thomas Massie — voted in favour of the resolution.

I agree with the title “Reaffirming the State of Israel’s Right to Exist” and much of the language, but I’m voting No on the resolution because it equates anti-Zionism with antisemitism. Antisemitism is deplorable, but expanding it to include criticism of Israel is not helpful. pic.twitter.com/YWBDKDCGZB
— Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) November 29, 2023

Democrats questioning the resolution called displays of anti-Jewish sentiment unacceptable, but said equating all anti-Zionism to antisemitism went too far.

Difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism:

Anti-Semitism can be defined as the hatred and prejudice directed against Jewish people. For example: Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.

On the other hand, Zionism refers to the movement to create a Jewish state in the Middle East, roughly corresponding to the historical land of Israel, and thus support for the modern state of Israel. Anti-Zionism opposes that.

But some say 'Zionist' can be used as a coded attack on Jews, while others say the Israeli government and its supporters are deliberately confusing anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism to avoid criticism.

In "Debunking the myth that anti-Zionism is antisemitic" published in The Guardian, the author argues that "Anti-Zionism is not inherently antisemitic – and claiming it uses Jewish suffering to erase the Palestinian experience. Yes, antisemitism is growing. Yes, world leaders must fight it fiercely. But in the words of a great Zionist thinker, 'This is not the way’.”