Benjamin Moser traces a Jewish tradition of opposition to Zionism
Benjamin Moser’s book profiles 12 Jewish figures who opposed Zionism, tracing a tradition of dissent that he says has become harder to see in contemporary Jewish life. Drawing on his own change in outlook after visiting the occupied Palestinian territories in 2016, Moser hopes the book will help Jewish activists who oppose Zionism feel less isolated.
The portraits range from Rabbi Aaron Samuel Tamares and Hannah Arendt to photographer Nan Goldin, who spoke out as the assault on Gaza began in 2023. Some, including Moser and South African anti-apartheid activist Ronnie Kasrils, were once committed Zionists; others, such as poet Jacob Israël de Haan, changed their views after moving to Palestine. The article says about 90% of American Jews support Israel’s right to exist as a Jewish state, while fewer than 1% belonged to the largest US Zionist organisation in 1914.
- Benjamin Moser profiles 12 Jewish opponents of Zionism.
- The book traces a history of debate within Jewish communities.
- Moser hopes contemporary activists will feel less alone.
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Zionism is a movement supporting a homeland for Jewish people in the historic land of Israel, and it helped lead to the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948. Jewish views on Zionism have never been uniform: some Jews have opposed it for religious, political or other reasons.
Benjamin Moser’s book profiles 12 Jewish people who challenged Zionism, including religious figures, writers and artists. Their views and experiences differed; some had once supported Zionism, while others opposed it earlier.
The subject matters because debates about Zionism and Israel are part of contemporary Jewish life, but dissent can be less visible. Moser hopes the history he presents will help Jewish activists who oppose Zionism feel less alone.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Anti-Zionism: A Jewish History by Benjamin Moser review – the deep roots of a contemporary movement”.