Diaspora Zionism should move beyond sentiment to responsibility, showing the next generation how to wield influence, defend survival, and act with moral clarity.
The diaspora has dangerously allowed itself to be cushioned by some years of comfort and achievement that was overlooked by the far right and progressive left as long as it didn’t clash with their political and religious sensibilities. While being insular isn’t the answer, being strong and loud and unyielding in the face of hate is. We need to be doctors and lawyers, police and politicians, athletes and teachers - and all be prepared to defend each other and ourselves. Complacency and hope won’t help us. We must learn to defend ourselves physically - and mentally. Being a great doctor won’t help you when someone wants to harm you. Realty can be dangerous, we must be equally as so.
‘The Diaspora does not face Israel’s security dilemmas’ you write. This is wrong because we do now. Nazis have taken over parts of the Security Services here in the United Kingdom and have been attacking Jews on behalf of The State for many years now. The Hard Right, much of it AntiSemitic is about to take power. The niceties of Loyalty debates now give way to the facts of survival.
This distinction between Zionism as discipline versus posture is something I haven't seen articulated this clearly before. The argument that October 7th didn't introduce complexity but removed the illusion that complexity could be abstract feels like a turning point for how alot of us need to think about obligation. I grew up in a community where Zionism meant fundraisers and AIPAC conferences, but never really understood the historical grounding you laid out here abuot Herzl, Weizmann, and the Basel Program. That's education we're missing.
The diaspora has dangerously allowed itself to be cushioned by some years of comfort and achievement that was overlooked by the far right and progressive left as long as it didn’t clash with their political and religious sensibilities. While being insular isn’t the answer, being strong and loud and unyielding in the face of hate is. We need to be doctors and lawyers, police and politicians, athletes and teachers - and all be prepared to defend each other and ourselves. Complacency and hope won’t help us. We must learn to defend ourselves physically - and mentally. Being a great doctor won’t help you when someone wants to harm you. Realty can be dangerous, we must be equally as so.
‘The Diaspora does not face Israel’s security dilemmas’ you write. This is wrong because we do now. Nazis have taken over parts of the Security Services here in the United Kingdom and have been attacking Jews on behalf of The State for many years now. The Hard Right, much of it AntiSemitic is about to take power. The niceties of Loyalty debates now give way to the facts of survival.
This distinction between Zionism as discipline versus posture is something I haven't seen articulated this clearly before. The argument that October 7th didn't introduce complexity but removed the illusion that complexity could be abstract feels like a turning point for how alot of us need to think about obligation. I grew up in a community where Zionism meant fundraisers and AIPAC conferences, but never really understood the historical grounding you laid out here abuot Herzl, Weizmann, and the Basel Program. That's education we're missing.