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Regular Zionism Good. Hyper Zionism Bad [1]

['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.']

Date: 2024-06-17  

The term “Zionism” should seldom be used without including a modifier. Its meaning has evolved so much that we can neither think nor communicate well about it without specifying which type of Zionism we are dealing with.

Almost everyone accepts/respects/supports Regular Zionism. The Zion called upon here is the national home for Jews. It consists of the territory Regular Zionists fought for from the 1890’s to 1948. Although it was catalyzed by the problematic imperial declaration of Lord Balfour in 1917, it has since been legitimated by the horrors of the Holocaust and by victory in war. Even the Palestinian Authority now accepts this variant of Zionism.

But Hyper Zionism, the Jewish nationalism that demands uncompromising, perpetual hegemony over 100% of the former British Mandate of Palestine, from the river to the sea, is a cancer on the world. It is pure chauvinism. Hyper Zionism is the primary remaining source of today's conflict in the region. It is also the primary modern source of what is often mis-labeled as antisemitism.

Hyper Zionism is so different from Regular Zionism that we should work hard not to conflate or elide the two. The overwhelming majority of the pro-Palestinian campus protesters and progressive Democrats are not against Regular Zionism. They are, appropriately, against Hyper Zionism.

There may be better terms to use than “Regular” and “Hyper” Zionism. Little/Large, Minor/Major, Normal/Greater, Good/Bad, Peace/War, Constructive/Destructive, Democratic/Authoritarian. Whatever terms we use, the key is to recognize that their meanings represent a difference with real distinction. Regular Zionism Good. Hyper Zionism Bad.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/17/2247104/-Regular-Zionism-Good-Hyper-Zionism-Bad?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=more_community&pm_medium=web

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