The United States House of Representatives passed a resolution on Tuesday, asserting “anti-Zionism is antisemitism”. The measure gained support from almost all Republicans, with only one abstention, and a substantial minority of Democrats. The resolution, introduced by Jewish Republicans Max Miller of Ohio and David Kustoff of Tennessee, secured a 311-14 vote, with 92 Democratic members abstaining by voting “present”.
Framed as a symbolic effort to counter the “drastic rise of anti-Semitism in the United States and around the world,” the resolution took a firm stance, explicitly stating that the House “clearly and firmly states that anti-Zionism is antisemitism”. Additionally, it condemned the slogan “From the River to the Sea”, traditionally seen by rights advocates as an aspirational call for equality in historic Palestine.
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Moreover, it took a critical view of recent demonstrations in Washington, D.C., where advocates gathered to demand a ceasefire. The resolution referred to the participants as “rioters'' who allegedly “spewed hateful and vile language amplifying antisemitic themes”.
All House Republicans but one — Congressman Thomas Massie — voted in favour of the resolution.
Democrats questioning the resolution called displays of anti-Jewish sentiment unacceptable, but said equating all anti-Zionism to antisemitism went too far.
Difference between antisemitism and anti-Zionism:
Anti-Semitism can be defined as the hatred and prejudice directed against Jewish people. For example: Accusing Jews as a people of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single Jewish person or group, or even for acts committed by non-Jews.
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On the other hand, Zionism refers to the movement to create a Jewish state in the Middle East, roughly corresponding to the historical land of Israel, and thus support for the modern state of Israel. Anti-Zionism opposes that.
But some say 'Zionist' can be used as a coded attack on Jews, while others say the Israeli government and its supporters are deliberately confusing anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism to avoid criticism.
In "Debunking the myth that anti-Zionism is antisemitic" published in The Guardian, the author argues that "Anti-Zionism is not inherently antisemitic – and claiming it uses Jewish suffering to erase the Palestinian experience. Yes, antisemitism is growing. Yes, world leaders must fight it fiercely. But in the words of a great Zionist thinker, 'This is not the way’.”
