The topic has become extremely inflammatory in the misuse of a loaded word. Please note the following:

There are many types of Zionism out there. Zionism really means a return to Zion (Jerusalem). But this can and does mean many things including just cultural rebirth not linked to any nationalism (a return to roots culture), a religious rebirth, a physical return of Jews to Jerusalem, and for some the establishment of a Jewish country. Even Neturei Karta, the fringe extremist group are Zionists, contrary to what many here incorrectly try and portray them as. They fully support the idea of a Jewish country, they differ over how such a thing occurs. There are other groups which are labeled Zionist because they advocate for some of these elements.

There are also Jews who do not advocate for such things or who feel that such "renaissance" is passe and/or obsolete and would prefer not be labeled as Zionists.

The discussion of Zionism was and remains a hot topic inside the Jewish community. One thing which is very true is that Zionist is not equivalent to a Jew even though many try to conflate the two terms often in a derrogatory sense.

It also should NOT be used to assume a singular meaning which is a common mistake.

Why these two distinctions are important is that there is a form of anti-Semitism where bigots use a stereotypical form of the term Zionist as a way to attack Jews. Zionism carries at some level a notion of struggle in much the same way as the real definition of jihad which is a word which also is abused and often serving as part of a code word for bigots.

Context and preciseness of use are extremely important.

Lithos
DU Moderator