The Student Room Group

There is no such thing as Liberal Zionism

Zionism is a form of ethnic-nationlaism and can therefore by definition not be liberal.

That is the case made here in the Jewish News and I agree.

"

But Liberal Zionism is also about kindness and equality, it is about the Jewish nation-state embodying Jewish values.

So what is the Liberal Zionist answer to the question of ‘What else do you expect the State of Israel to do?’. There is none.

If the State of Israel was to hold back violence, then the Gazan Palestinians would undoubtedly cross the border and return to their homes and villages: Israel, as a Jewish and democratic state, would cease to exist.

But if the State of Israel continues with violence, it also ceases to exist as the kind and equal State that Liberal Zionists also yearn for.
"

http://blogs.timesofisrael.com/liberal-zionism-is-dead/

If Isreal is to emobody liberal democratic ideals (that many cheerleaders of Isreal on here say it already does) it needs drop the notion of maintaining a jewish majority. Before it does that there is always going to be a regressive and racist ethnic nationality in the Israeli body politic. It needs to move from ethic nationalism to civic nationalism.

Whilst it is understandable why jewish poeple would want a place where they can feel safe after the horrors of the 20th century, zionism is when it comes down to it a deeply problamatic ideology that shares the characteristics of political ideals that lead to the horrors of the 20th century.
(edited 5 years ago)
Isn't the underlying ideology of Nazism the idea of ethnic/religious superiority of one over the other?
Original post by DrMikeHuntHertz
Isn't the underlying ideology of Nazism the idea of ethnic/religious superiority of one over the other?


It's a big part of Nazism for sure.

The problem here though is that comparing Isreal and zionists to Nazism is a part of antisemitism so you have to tread carefully. LIke I said in the OP you can sympathise with liberal jews who are zionists, even though it is a logically incoherent position, due to the context of the holocaust. But if humanity is to progress pass all this stuff we need to do away with nationalisms based on ethnicity of which zionism is a part of.
(edited 5 years ago)
Original post by ChaoticButterfly
It's a big part of Nazism for sure.

The problem here though is that comparing Isreal and zionists to Nazism is a part of antisemitism so you have to tread carefully.


Indeed, TSR has always been very left wing and free speech an after thought.
It's funny that if you quote people like Theodor Herzl, considered the father of political zionism they'll call you anti-semite.

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