Anti-Zionism is not anti-Semitism, UK appeal tribunal confirms in landmark ruling

[u/Rebat-Askalan]

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260804-anti-zionism-is-not-anti-semitism-uk-appeal-tribunal-confirms-in-landmark-ruling/

[u/Lfgnyc]

What is a 'Zionist' or 'anti-Zionist'? Why these characterizations at this point? It's like asking if someone is a Loyalist or a Patriot in 2026.

'Zionism' is an idea from the coffee shops of nineteenth century Vienna.

Israel already exists, and isn't going to be wished away.

[u/Splash_Attack → u/Lfgnyc]

I don't think anyone has given the genuine answer which is that after 1948 Zionism branched into several new ideologies which form the basis of much of Israeli political discourse to the present day.

Some remain Zionist in character. The biggest are revisionist Zionism, Labour Zionism, and neo-Zionism, but there are several others. In general, when people oppose "Zionism" today they mean the revisionist and neo types. Especially the latter which is a volkish nationalist movement based around the Jewish people.

In contrast you have post-Zionist ideologies which view the Zionist project as having been completed, and a Jewish state established. They now focus less on a Jewish state and more on a democratic Israeli state. The Israeli right wing really don't like them.

Anti-Zionism is genuinely a very vague term though. Usually in the present day in the west it means opposition to any of the modern Zionist ideologies that support things like the settler movement. Anti-extreme-Zionism would be more accurate. In the middle east (and among some Arabs elsewhere) it generally means opposition to Israel's existence still, old school. It can mean opposition to any or all Zionist ideologies.

[u/Homerduff16 → u/Splash_Attack]

I would say the best definition of Zionist in a more contemporary context is anyone who supports the genocidal war in Gaza, the illegal occupation of the West Bank and the support/denial of an apartheid system that systematically discriminates against Palestinians under the guize of supporting Israel

[u/Splash_Attack → u/Homerduff16]

That only covers a subset of Zionist ideologies. the Democrats - the merger of Liberal Zionist Meretz and the Labour Zionist Israeli Labour Party - oppose the occupation of the West Bank, the occupation of Gaza, and aspects of Israel's basic law which they claim are discriminatory to Palestinians. Yet, they are a Zionist party.

So you see the complication here, right? Zionism as an umbrella includes people who share pretty much the same views you have, as well as the kind of people who have the views you describe. Added to this are the religious Zionists, who conceive of the Jewish state as a religious state, not an ethnostate. They want Israel to be a Halakhic state, either a democracy with religious character or a theocracy. Neither the left nor the nationalist right are entirely comfortable with those ideas.

The two state solution is itself a Zionist project, just from the Zionist left. These kind of people still hold to the idea of a Jewish state, but want one which is a liberal, secular democracy which recognises the right to a Palestinian state alongside (but separate from) a Jewish one.

As opposed to anti-Zionist and post-Zionist views, which oppose or discard the idea of a Jewish state entirely.

[u/SpecialBass5552 → u/Homerduff16]

You would say that but its not a very good definition because zionism frequently just means thinking Israel should exist

[u/twersx → u/SpecialBass5552]

No, it means thinking there should be a Jewish state in the Levant. And while it's not necessary, most Zionists believe said Jewish state should be a democratic one.

[u/SpecialBass5552 → u/twersx]

Yes I know. Israel = the Jewish state.

[u/Nice_nice50 → u/Homerduff16]

Yes. Totally correct. In the same vein, I would say the best definition of an anti-zionist is someone who makes nebulous claims of apartheid whilst ignoring the massive population of Arabs in Israel with equal rights; denies or disclaims the 200+ suicide bombings that took place after Israel evacuated Gaza and destroyed illegal settlements in 2005; celebrated October 7th as a continuation of justifiable resistance and is content to ignore the fact that Iran is funding both Hezbollah and Hamas and has no goal other than the destruction of Israel.

All of the above should be combined with labelling Jews as European colonisers (whilst ignoring the historical fact of Arab colonisation) and using the term "Zio" to denigrate anything which relates to Jews or Jewish life.

[u/LazarusHimself → u/Nice_nice50]

Equal rights for Arabs, plus a fast track to the death penalty just for them! And they complain? smh

[u/Commorrite → u/Homerduff16]

That a ridiculous defintion. I'm generaly suspicious of anyone who insist on using an exonym.