The bad faith behind Zionist activists latest try to win the left – Forward
Posted By admin on February 7, 2021
On Monday, Rudy Rochman, a bombastic, keffiyeh-wearing Zionist activist, will debate famed academic Noam Chomsky.
Its a mismatched and bizarre pairing: a world-renowned linguist whose ideas on Zionism and the state of Israel have shaped leftist discourse for decades versus a glorified college activist whose works include the YouTube videos Avatar Jewish Connection and Breaking Down Seth Rogens Internalized Anti-Semitism.
The fact that this event is happening at all demonstrates the unfortunate success of Rochmans approach to activism, which stands in contrast to traditional Zionist advocacy. Organizations like the Jewish National Fund, AIPAC and the Zionist Organization of America have historically adhered to a limited ideology that has gone largely unchanged for seven decades, one that sells Israel as a post-Holocaust bastion of security for the Jewish people and a perpetual underdog. They see the role of American Jews as being to uncritically support Israel, both financially and politically.
And many of them still wrongly identify support of Israel as a shared issue with those on the left.
There was substantial support for Zionism on the American left around the time of Israels founding. But after the 1967 Six Day War, which saw Israel occupy the Golan, West Bank, Gaza and Sinai, Israel increasingly ran afoul of growing anti-colonial sentiment among those on the left. But to more traditional American Zionists, it was not Israel that changed, but the left itself. Unwilling to adjust their ideas about Israel as it gained power, their arguments for unfettered support of the country increasingly failed to resonate with new generations growing up in a world where Israel was an occupier, not a victim.
Rochman represents a new approach: He is part of a growing wave of Zionist activists that aim to appeal to a younger audience by mimicking forms of activism that are already popular in leftist circles. By blending historically leftist language about indigeneity and solidarity with the hasbara of clickbait Zionism, Rochman and his ilk have created a form of activism engineered to appeal to the liberal tendencies of a younger Jewish audience.
But Rochmans ideology centers on the notion that Jews deserve a voice in discourse about indigenous rights, and that denying them that is antisemitic. He claims that the Jewish people are indigenous to Judea, the Biblical name for part of what is today part of the state of Israel. He has stated that Zionism is the most successful indigenous liberation movement that has ever existed.
That position is a canny twisting of true Indigenous rights movements, which exist everywhere from Australia to the United States and seek to gain recognition for the suffering of native groups. As in many places, the Palestinian cause centers around the issue of dispossession at the hands of Europen colonial powers in their case, Britains decision to carve out part of Mandatory Palestine as a Jewish state. Zionism, on the other hand, echoed those European colonial movements.
This new face of American Zionism is deeply connected to the peculiar position of younger American Jews. American Jews aged 18-29 are substantially more progressive than their parents, particularly when it comes to Israel.
We witnessed the development of Rochmans ideology and influence as his classmates at Columbia University. As leaders in left-leaning groups like J Street and IfNotNow, we watched as Rochman founded Students Supporting Israel, a group notorious for its almost comical pro-Israel antics, which included flying a plane over campus during Apartheid Week with a banner that read HEBREW LIBERATION WEEK. One of Rochmans earliest experiments with indigeneity discourse was his highly memeable Indigenous Peoples Unite event, for which he brought together speakers from a variety of indigenous groups with the purpose of validating his belief that Israelis, or Israelites, as he referred to them, were indigenous to the Land of Israel.
Rochman, who began a quasi-career as an internet celebrity after leaving Columbia in 2018, is not alone in making this argument. Hen Mazzig, a frequent speaker on the college campus circuit and Israeli Zionist activist, uses similar tactics. In Oct. 2020, he authored an op-ed in Newsweek entitled, Are Jews Indigenous? Heres what a Native American Jew Thinks. He quoted Mahrinah von Schlegel, his interviewee, as saying that Jews are not only indigenous to Israel we are indigenous peoples.
Part of whats surprising and paradoxical about Rochman and Mazzigs brand of activism is that it simultaneously attempts to appeal to young American Jews and to distance Israel from the U.S. Rochman has said that he doesnt support the U.S.s involvement in Israels politics and places blame for the conflict at the hands of the imperial powers. Last fall, Mazzig shared an Instagram post referring to English as an imperial language in Israel. Both these examples run counter to the arguments of establishment voices like AIPAC and the ZOA, whose very existence is predicated on the need for a close relationship militarily and financially between America and Israel.
Adopting the lefts language is simply a way to fool progressives into thinking that up is down and supporting the Israeli government is supporting human rights, said Morriah Kaplan, national spokesperson for IfNotNow. Aside from being a false equivalence, the appropriation of indigenous identity and experience is deeply offensive and disrespectful to indigenous communities around the world. Rochman takes it a step further, presenting himself as the newest Great Communicator, able to reach across a seemingly intractable political divide and unite Israelis and Palestinians. In one video, Rochman tells a Palestinian man that youd be surprised as to how much we actually agree.
At a time when many Ashkenazi Jews are examining how race factors into their identity, normalizing the notion that Jews are indigenous to the land on which Israel was founded in the same way as other indigenous peoples is deeply irresponsible. The Chomsky debate will likely be more of the same, but will also dangerously legitimize this ideology.
Jonah Goldman Kay is a writer based in New Orleans whose work has appeared in The New Republic, Politico and The Paris Review.
Sylvie Rosen is an outdoor educator based in California.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are the authors own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Forward.
See original here:
The bad faith behind Zionist activists latest try to win the left - Forward
- Norman Finkelstein - The Coming Breakup of American Zionism, Part 1 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: April 24th, 2011]
- Teutonic Zionism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- Rabbi Against Israel (Zionism) [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 17th, 2011]
- What is Zionism rabbi explains [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 18th, 2011]
- Wikileaks exposes Zionist Treachery [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 20th, 2011]
- Zionist Pressure Fails to Stop Overcoming Zionism Book [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- Leo Frank and the Founding of the ADL, Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith [Last Updated On: January 4th, 2020] [Originally Added On: May 22nd, 2011]
- US aid to Zionism - Occupation 101 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 23rd, 2011]
- Rabbi Weiss, Outside Annapolis Peace Confab, Rips Zionism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- Christian Zionism 1 of 4 (OneDollarDVDProject.com) [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 30th, 2011]
- History of Zionism, Israel and US Support. Prof Schleifer [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Rabbi Protest Against Zionism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: May 31st, 2011]
- Rabbi Feldman: Zionism is "Illegitimate Political Movement" [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 8th, 2011]
- Jews United Against Zionism, United Nations, January 4, 2009 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 10th, 2011]
- The Insanity of Christian Zionism! [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 11th, 2011]
- Jews protest against Israel and Zionism. [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 5th, 2011]
- The Racist Anti-Semitic Murder of Jewish Factory Boss Leo Frank [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 10th, 2011]
- August 17, 1915: The Only Jew Lynched in North American History [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 17th, 2011]
- The Zionist Story. [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Onward, Christian Zionists [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2011]
- Rapture Ready: The Christians United for Israel Tour [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 9th, 2011]
- Zionists invented Modern Terrorism [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 11th, 2011]
- Barack Obama is a ZIONIST ILLUMINATI part 1 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2011]
- The Zionist Matrix of Power in America [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 16th, 2011]
- Ahmadinejad Meeting With Anti-Zionist Jews [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 17th, 2011]
- Zionist Terrorism in Norway [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2011]
- Zionist Visions Of 1984 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 22nd, 2011]
- the zionist conspiracy part 1 of 12 [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 27th, 2011]
- The Difference Between Jews and Zionists [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 28th, 2011]
- Zionist control The United States government [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2011]
- Christian Zionists - USA [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 2nd, 2011]
- How Zionists Divide and Conquer [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 3rd, 2011]
- Zionist Israel: What the world should know [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2011]
- The Zionist Story - part 1 0f 8 THIS VIDEO IS BEING CENSORED BY YOUTUBE! [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- Wolf Blitzer is a Zionist [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 8th, 2011]
- Zionist Running Dog Obama and the UN Veto [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 12th, 2011]
- Do ZIONISTS/ISRAEL Control the US Government ? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 18th, 2011]
- Zionist Strauss-Kahn Evades Justice Again - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 23rd, 2011]
- 911 was An ISRAELI ZIONIST FALSE FLAG ATTACK, Ken O'keefe. - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 26th, 2011]
- The Zionist Matrix of Power HD. - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- 1933: Zionists sign a deal with Hitler - The Transfer Agreement - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2011]
- Zionist Racist Rachel Maddow and Rand Paul - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2011]
- Rabbi Weiss Criticizes Zionist Occupation of Palestine - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2011]
- Do Zionists Control Wall Street? The Shocking Facts! - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2011]
- PHILOSOPHY OF ISRAELI ZIONISM - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2011]
- Bruno and Zionist propaganda? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 6th, 2011]
- Zionism Defined - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2011]
- ZIONISTS WON'T LET YOU SEE THIS ON YOUR TV - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2011]
- Jerusalem the Cup Of Trembling - Zionist Israel, Iran, WWIII will start with Attack in Middle East - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 16th, 2011]
- Norman Finkelstein vs David Pollack( Zionist) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 17th, 2011]
- Rabbi Dovid Feldman, Jews United against Zionism- Face to Face-07-06-2011 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 23rd, 2011]
- Zionist 'Odyssey Dawning' In Africa - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2011]
- The Zionist Plan For Libya - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 30th, 2011]
- Zionist's 5th column blew their cover! - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 5th, 2012]
- Racist JNF Canada File: Jewish Mom realizes Zionist upbringing wrong - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 14th, 2012]
- Zionism - Part 1 (Introduction) - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 15th, 2012]
- IST #39: What is Zionism? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 16th, 2012]
- Rapper Lowkey exposes Zionism - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 20th, 2012]
- He reveals the Truth about Zionists - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 22nd, 2012]
- The Khazarian Conspiracy, Part 1 of 12 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: February 4th, 2012]
- David Wildman Russell Tribunal on Palestine - New York - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 30th, 2012]
- What's The Matter With Israel? Zionism? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Does Israel Benefit from US Foreign Aid? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- What is The Illuminati and Freemasonry!? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 31st, 2012]
- Prophecy In The News: Zionism Is Israel's Struggle To Reclaim It's Biblically Ordained Designation - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 1st, 2012]
- Adolf Hitler speech against freemasonry illuminati NWO,zionist plutocracies. - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2012]
- Yung Glynn [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 5th, 2012]
- SMode ft Megalithic Enigma Best Anti illuminati Music with Lyrics - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 11th, 2012]
- Israeli Jewish man says Zionism is the cause of the problems - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2012]
- Judaism and Zionism - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2012]
- #GazaUnderAttack - Benjamin Freedmans: The True About The Zionism 1961 speech - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2012]
- Palestine - Victims of corrupted Democracy - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 2nd, 2012]
- hell to Israel [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 11th, 2012]
- World Views on Zionism - ????? ??? ?????? ??? ????????? - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2012]
- Shaykh Cyrous on Zionism and wilayat al-faqih - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 17th, 2012]
- ALIEN INTENTIONS - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 20th, 2012]
- Pleading For My Land Israel - Herbert Pagani 1976 - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 24th, 2012]
- How to Stop the NWO! By Henry Makow PhD - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 26th, 2012]
- END of the WORLD HOAX is now finished the PANIC SPENDING and COMPANIES making MONEY from FEAR stop - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 28th, 2012]
- Still Skeptical To Support Zionism! - Video [Last Updated On: January 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: January 9th, 2013]
Comments