Zionism, Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia

David Aaronovitch wrote an article on Zionism and Anti-semitism, published in The Times on 26 September 2013. He tweeted: 

On feeling worn down by the drip, drip,of anti Jewish prejudice. My Times column this morning

Unfortunately his column was behind the pay wall but the article title ("Even without Israel, Jews would be a target"), however, his tweets, several promotional tweets by Unrepentant Jacobin and comments by Lucy Lips on Harry's Place , gave me the gist of the article contents.

In the article David Aaronovitch credits an Austrian Jewish journalist, called Theodore Herzl, as founder of Zionism. Apparently, after witnessing a "show" trial in Paris, Herzel came to the conclusion that Jews were not safe in non-Jewish countries.

David Aaronovitch wrote:

So all the things said about Jews when they were “stateless” is now said about them — about us, about me — in relation to Israel. Only now you say “Zionist” not “Jew”. But you apply it in exactly the same way. Divided loyalties, unwonted use of money and influence (beyond that exerted by any other group, natch).

David Aaronovith feels that the Jews and Israel are targeted by some people who hide their anti-semitism behind the term Zionist. I can empathise with his feelings of being picked upon because of his religion, be that he claims to be a Jew in name only. Few years back I myself would have agreed with him. However, today calling someone a Zionist, is not anti-Semitic. The answer lies in the final part of Simon Schama's series "The Story of the Jews", which David also mentions in the article. He probably missed the following statement from Simon Schama, "from the humble beginnings of a desire to live in a place called Jewish home where there was justice and peace, today Zionism is associated with extremist aggressive and expansionist designs of conquering Iraq, Syria and Jordan".

Zionism is no longer a Jewish term, today it has been hijacked by by non Jewish extremists, an amalgamation of New Atheists, New Sacularists, Racists, Neo-cons, Fundamentalist Christians, Islamophobes, Extremist Hindus, ... etc. They have their own sinister agenda, not dissimilar to that which targeted the Jews. Some of these new Zionists, who are also committed Islamophobes, claim to be on the left side of the politics. If they move away from the mirror, they will realise that they have gone so far to the right that they are in Fascist territory.

David Aaronovitch has every right to be offended if he is wrongly associated with the groups listed above. However, if he is aligned with these extremist groups, no matter how remotely, then he should take it on the chin and accept the genuine criticism of his views and not muddy the waters by calling it Anti-Semitic. The real vile propaganda in today's world is Islamophobia and it is not drip drip it is like a Hurricane. Its depressing, demoralising and deadly.

I think David Aaronovitch should watch Simon Schama's final part of " The story of the Jews" to understand the plight of the Palestinians and the Israeli/ Palestine conflict. He will also learn what real secularism looks like. Talking of history, starting with Romans 2000 years ago, Jews have been victims of Europeans. They have been exiled, expelled and massacred in all parts of Europe, Eastern and Western. At the same time they were protected in the lands where Muslims ruled, in Asia, Africa, Middle East and even some parts of Europe.

History is for historians to tell but what I have learnt is that Israeli history is littered with terrorism, expulsions, detentions, show trials and blood of innocents. With such history, there bound to be criticisms from the world. Such legitimate criticism can not be dismissed as anti semitism. David Aaronovitch should listen more to the secular and orthodox Jews who want to live in peace and oppose resorting to the Biblical and ancestral claims to occupy and colonise. Incidentally, Orthodox and secular Jews are the most outspoken critics of Zionism and aggressive policies of the West and Israel.

David Aaronovitch finishes his article with the following:

As for me, I have never been a Zionist. Nor committed to Israel. But I can tell you this. Every time I get one of those comments, or those e-mails, or those tweets or hear those insinuations, I begin to think, why not, David, why not? Why not wear the cap that so many are so keen to fit you out with?

All I say to that is, if few tweets, emails and comments can radicalise him, what will happen to those who face Islamophobic propaganda and those living with bloodshed, bombs and bullets day in day out.