Thank you, Tom, and I can completely relate to everything you said, including having been a bit of a snob about language and the importance of being accurate. Back in my youth in Israel we were definitely indoctrinated to think of anyone who used the word ‘Zionism’ or ‘Zionist’ as an antisemite. So your sense of this is most definitely accurate. You know my writings well enough to know that I repeat ad-nauseam that Zionism is a settler-colonial project and what it means. I don’t hold back usually when I tell people that if they support Zionism/the state of Israel, they support a settler-colonial project.
Like you I try to educate those who don’t know, or those who were educated to have the blinkers I used to have. Thanks for writing. Your voice is important.
Thanks for this, Tom. I'm picky about words and their use too but, not being Jewish, I'm a little more sensitized to the impact of the word Zionist, even though I see it as a settler-colonialist project and as supporting the genocide in Gaza.
Hi Diana, thanks for reading! By "sensitized to the impact" do you mean you still prefer not to use it because you worry about being perceived as antisemitic or because you think its hurtful to Jewish people? Or have I misunderstood entirely?
Pardon my awkward phrasing. I actually use the terms genocide and Zionist quite liberally, and have since October, 2023. And I often make the point that it's ridiculous to accuse people of being anti-semitic when they're opposing a genocide.
Your post made me realize that using the term 'Zionist' would shut the door on a lot of people who might otherwise agree that genocide is unacceptable.
I hope that's a little more clear than my earlier comment.
As I said when I restacked your essay, this is very well put. The explanation of what well-meaning people think Zionism actually is, is particularly helpful.
Thank you, Tom, and I can completely relate to everything you said, including having been a bit of a snob about language and the importance of being accurate. Back in my youth in Israel we were definitely indoctrinated to think of anyone who used the word ‘Zionism’ or ‘Zionist’ as an antisemite. So your sense of this is most definitely accurate. You know my writings well enough to know that I repeat ad-nauseam that Zionism is a settler-colonial project and what it means. I don’t hold back usually when I tell people that if they support Zionism/the state of Israel, they support a settler-colonial project.
Like you I try to educate those who don’t know, or those who were educated to have the blinkers I used to have. Thanks for writing. Your voice is important.
Thank you Avigail!
Thanks for this, Tom. I'm picky about words and their use too but, not being Jewish, I'm a little more sensitized to the impact of the word Zionist, even though I see it as a settler-colonialist project and as supporting the genocide in Gaza.
Hi Diana, thanks for reading! By "sensitized to the impact" do you mean you still prefer not to use it because you worry about being perceived as antisemitic or because you think its hurtful to Jewish people? Or have I misunderstood entirely?
Hi Tom,
Pardon my awkward phrasing. I actually use the terms genocide and Zionist quite liberally, and have since October, 2023. And I often make the point that it's ridiculous to accuse people of being anti-semitic when they're opposing a genocide.
Your post made me realize that using the term 'Zionist' would shut the door on a lot of people who might otherwise agree that genocide is unacceptable.
I hope that's a little more clear than my earlier comment.
Ah, that makes sense! Thanks Diana.
Shukran for your profound words, and your heart that beats the logic of justice.
🇵🇸♥️🙏
Thank you Naj!
As I said when I restacked your essay, this is very well put. The explanation of what well-meaning people think Zionism actually is, is particularly helpful.
Thank you Mary!