A Dangerous Word: How 'Zionist' Became a Mask for Hatred
A Warning from History:
In the recent protests against Israeli President Isaac Herzog's visit to Australia, a disturbing trend emerged. Demonstrators, fueled by anger towards Israel's policies, took their vitriol a step further, targeting 'Zionists' as a whole. This is not an isolated incident; Zionism has been equated to Nazism and terrorism in various rallies, raising serious concerns.
The Power of Language:
Victor Klemperer, a Jewish survivor of Nazi Germany, offered a profound insight. He likened words to tiny doses of arsenic, slowly poisoning minds without notice. This is not just about slogans; it's about the normalization of contempt through language. 'Zionist' has crossed that line in the past two years.
A Personal Encounter:
Following the Bondi attack, my involvement in a campaign for a federal royal commission on antisemitism led to an eye-opening exchange. A long-time acquaintance questioned if I was paid by Israel for my advocacy, an offensive insinuation. But what followed was more revealing.
The Misuse of 'Zionist':
He accused Zionists of moral bankruptcy and a superiority complex. When I asked if he supported Israel's existence as a Jewish state with equal rights for all, he agreed. By definition, he was a Zionist, yet he seemed to either misunderstand or deliberately misuse the term.
The Ordinary Nature of Prejudice:
This conversation was significant not because of its aggression but its ordinariness. It was delivered with calm certainty, revealing a common phenomenon: using 'Zionist' not as a description but as an accusation.
Understanding Zionism:
Zionism, in its true sense, is straightforward. It's the belief that Jews have a right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland, and in practice, it means Israel should exist as a Jewish state. In Australia, this idea has long been supported by leaders across the political spectrum.
Zionism Misconceptions:
Contrary to some beliefs, Zionism does not dictate borders, military policies, or allegiance to specific governments or parties. It does not exclude any race or religion from Israeli citizenship. It allows for criticism of Israel without demanding support for all its actions. Expansionism is not inherent, and it does not oppose a two-state solution.
A Spectrum of Views:
Zionism, like any national movement, encompasses a wide range of political views. Many Zionists oppose Israel's current government, and Israeli citizens have protested against it for years. Some of Israel's fiercest critics are its own citizens, proudly identifying as Zionists.
The Danger of Hijacking Language:
When a word's meaning is hijacked, it opens the door for misuse and abuse. 'Zionist' has increasingly become an insult, a tool to assign blame for various evils. In many cases, 'Zionist' is used interchangeably with 'Jew', creating an ambiguous target while denying any anti-Jewish sentiment.
The Workaround:
Openly targeting Jews is no longer socially acceptable, so 'Zionist' becomes the workaround. It's broad enough to include most Jews but elastic enough to provide moral cover. It allows hostility to be expressed while maintaining plausible deniability.
Beyond Political Critique:
We're often told that hostility towards 'Zionists' is mere political critique. But the reality is different. 'Zionists' are accused of supremacy, immorality, and inherent evil - this is not political criticism; it's collective character assassination.
The Personal Connection:
For most Jews, Zionism is not an abstract ideology; it's deeply tied to history, vulnerability, and survival. It represents the belief that Jews should not be stateless, dependent on others for protection. To claim that anti-Zionism has nothing to do with Jews while knowing the majority of Jews identify with Zionism is disingenuous.
The Battle for Definition:
Hijacking the meaning of Zionism allows hatred to disguise itself as politics. The federal royal commission on antisemitism must address these subtleties to truly understand Jew hatred in Australia. Existing legal frameworks are ill-equipped to handle technically deniable yet socially corrosive language.
Confronting Linguistic Tricks:
If the commission is to be effective, it must directly address the linguistic sleight of hand. It must ask if 'Zionist' has become a socially acceptable code for 'Jew', a way to legitimize hostility while denying responsibility. History shows that when words are repurposed to disguise prejudice, the consequences often extend far beyond words.
A Call for Action:
Danny Berkovic, a Sydney businessman and organizer of the bondiresponse.com petition, urges us to recognize the danger. The commission must confront this issue head-on to ensure that words do not become weapons of hate.
