Is Anti-Zionism the New Anti-Semitism?

Topics: Culture, Religion, World

Public Release Date: February 27, 2020

Zionism — the belief that the Jewish people have a right to statehood in Israel — has been debated for decades. But recently, the Trump administration has publicly championed the Zionist cause and defended the U.S.-Israel special relationship. Simultaneously, the progressive left has become increasingly vocal in condemning Israel's actions. Zionism’s modern-day opponents argue that their concerns about Israel — particularly regarding Palestinian rights and sovereignty — are legitimate.

But Zionism's proponents argue that Jews have a political claim to self-determination within their ancestral borders, and that, against the backdrop of increased anti-Semitic violence around the world, anti-Zionism is thinly veiled anti-Semitism. Is anti-Zionism the new anti-Semitism?

ARGUING YES:

• Bret Stephens: Op-Ed Columnist, New York Times

• Einat Wilf: Former Member, Israeli Parliament

ARGUING NO:

• Peter Beinart: Journalist & Author, “The Crisis of Zionism”

• Yousef Munayyer: Executive Director, US Campaign for Palestinian Rights

MODERATOR-IN-CHIEF:

• John Donvan: Emmy award-winning journalist