House Passes Resolution Declaring Anti-Zionism A Form Of Antisemitism—Some Democrats Are Critical

Topline

The House on Tuesday approved a GOP-led resolution that condemns antisemitism and formally declares anti-Zionism—or opposition to the movement for a Jewish state of Israel—as a form of antisemitism, an issue that has divided Democrats amid the Israel-Hamas war, with over 100 members of the party voting either no or “present” on the measure.

Key Facts

Key Background

Congressional debate over Israeli policy has grown heated since Hamas attacked the country on Oct. 7, leading Israel to invade the Gaza Strip. President Joe Biden has expressed support for Israel, but other Democrats have called for a ceasefire and criticized the scope of Israel’s military action. Zionism, the modern movement for a Jewish state, dates back to the late 1800s, though it gained steam in the aftermath of the Holocaust and World War II, leading to the establishment of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people as a recognized country in 1948. The movement has long been decried by many Palestinians, though groups like the Palestine Liberation Organization have formally recognized Israel’s right to exist. Some Jewish people, meanwhile, do not support Zionism for both religious and political reasons. The Anti-Defamation League—an advocacy group dedicated to combating antisemitism—deems anti-Zionism antisemitic, arguing anti-Zionist rhetoric “vilifies Jews,” even though the ideology itself has become “much more socially acceptable than classic antisemitism,” according to the ADL. Jonathan Greenblatt, the CEO of the ADL, told the New York Times last month “Zionism is fundamental to Judaism,” though he clarified he believes critics of the Israeli government are not necessarily anti-Zionist. The Jerusalem Post also editorialized in an op-ed in October that a rejection of Zionism amounts to discrimination against Jewish people, calling that discrimination “the textbook definition of antisemitism.” In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, former Harvard University professor Ruth Wisse labeled anti-Zionism a “more malevolent form of antisemitism,” arguing the ideology classifies Israel as the “illegitimate occupier of Arab land.”

Chief Critic

While members of both parties have argued the denial of Israel’s right to exist is a form of antisemitism, the argument is far from unanimous. In his speech on the House floor, Nadler claimed anti-Zionism is not expressly antisemitic, citing orthodox Jewish communities, including the Satmar community in New York City, that have “held views that are at odds with the modern Zionist conception.”

Tangent

In a highly anticipated House hearing on antisemitism Tuesday morning, Harvard University President Claudine Gay acknowledged a “dramatic and deeply concerning rise in antisemitism” across the country and on college campuses, including Harvard, where recent student-led protests largely critical of Israel have prompted a contentious debate over free speech and what critics call a rise in hate speech. Student-led protests at Harvard, along with a handful of other colleges and universities, have garnered widespread pushback from some university officials and major donors who claim those protests have fostered a culture of antisemitism on campus. In her testimony on Tuesday, Gay also pledged to preserve free expression while preserving the “safety and wellbeing” of students, adding: “antisemitism is hate or suspicion of Jews, and that is all I need to know to take action to address it on our campus.”

Further Reading

Harvard President Admits Spike In Campus Antisemitism At House Hearing (Forbes)

Billionaire Ackman Doubles Down On Harvard Criticism Over Pro-Palestinian Protests: ‘Antisemitism Exploded On Campus’ (Forbes)