Why 'leftist Zionism' is a contradiction, argues Palestinian writer
The opinion piece contends that leftist Zionism is an oxymoron, used to shield Zionism from critique while preserving structures of oppression. It cites Israeli youth movements seeking foreign allies and planning settlements in the occupied West Bank as examples. The author argues that from a Palestinian anti-colonial perspective, one cannot be both leftist and Zionist.
The article cites two Israeli youth groups as contemporary examples of "leftist Zionism": the Young Democrats, who are seeking international alliances with European progressive parties, and Hamahanot Haolim, which is actively planning a new kibbutz in the occupied West Bank near Jericho. The latter's director openly stated that leftists should populate settlements rather than far-right settlers.
Historically, the piece traces Zionism's roots to 19th-century European nationalism and colonialism, noting that early socialist factions within the movement used leftist vocabulary to advance settler-colonial nation-building. The UN's 1975 Resolution 3379, which declared Zionism a form of racism, was revoked in 1991 following sustained Israeli and allied pressure.
This argument could influence how international progressive audiences evaluate Israeli political factions, potentially complicating alliances between foreign leftist parties and Israeli groups presenting themselves as liberal alternatives. It may also deepen divisions within diaspora Jewish communities over what constitutes legitimate Jewish political identity. The piece could shift discourse among activists and policymakers weighing whether to engage with self-described leftist Zionist organizations, though its impact depends on how widely the argument circulates beyond opinion readership.