Anti-Zionism is hate

I recently had a discussion with a  Jewish friend about how I wanted to work for the UN-Alliance of Civilizations- as soon as I mentioned the UN she rolled her eyes and said no way. She was obviously not happy with the institutution in light of the Durban II Conference. So I began to think long and hard about the debate as to whether being anti-zionist was in fact a manifestation of racism.

Consequently I came across an article by the father of slain journalist Daniel Pearl- an article in defence of zionism- an interesting argument that labels anti-zionism as racist. Here is an excerpt:

Anti-Zionism rejects the very notion that Jews are a nation -- a collective bonded by a common history -- and, accordingly, denies Jews the right to self-determination in their historical birthplace. It seeks the dismantling of the Jewish nation-state: Israel.

Anti-Zionism earns its discriminatory character by denying the Jewish people what it grants to other historically bonded collectives (e.g. French, Spanish, Palestinians), namely, the right to nationhood, self-determination and legitimate coexistence with other indigenous claimants.

Anti-Semitism rejects Jews as equal members of the human race; anti-Zionism rejects Israel as an equal member in the family of nations.

Are Jews a nation? Some philosophers would argue Jews are a nation first and religion second. Indeed, the narrative of Exodus and the vision of the impending journey to the land of Canaan were etched in the minds of the Jewish people before they received the Torah at Mt. Sinai. But, philosophy aside, the unshaken conviction in their eventual repatriation to the birthplace of their history has been the engine behind Jewish endurance and hopes throughout their turbulent journey that started with the Roman expulsion in AD 70.

Do you agree or Disagree?  Weigh in on the debate.

Read Judea Pearl's Full Article.

This article was a response to an article by Ben Ehrenreich which argues that Zionism is the problem.