Rob Ferguson

Is Zionism racism? To answer this question requires a proper understanding of Zionism in both theory and practice. Zionism is essentially a synonym for Jewish nationalism. It is the belief that Jews constitute a distinct people and nation, and on this basis require the establishment of a nation-state of their own to achieve their natural rights and collective potential. In putting forth such views, the late-nineteenth-century founders of the Zionist movement were first and foremost adopting and reflecting the nationalist milieu and principles dominant in Europe, the environment in which they were formed and in which they operated. Yet, from the very outset Zionism was different than other European nationalism. Unlike for example the Greeks, Serbs, Poles, or Italians, Zionism’s intended constituents – the Jews of Europe – did not have an ancient homeland on the European continent in which they remained a majority. The Zionist movement was unwilling as well as unable to challenge an existing European state to carve out an independent state in which Jews, like other European peoples, would enjoy uncontested demographic, territorial, and political supremacy. Its leaders instead sought to acquire the cooperation and sponsorship of a European power to colonize and establish a state in territory outside Europe. Palestine was not the only non-European territory proposed for this venture. Various others in Africa, the Americas, Australia, as well as Cyprus were also considered, several quite seriously. In each of these cases the Zionist movement was proceeding from another principle dominant in Europe at the time. None of these territories were uninhabited, yet their inhabitants did not possess inalienable rights, and could be freely subordinated, dispossessed, and even exterminated in the service of European power. The Zionist movement ultimately settled on Palestine for its nation-state project. Enabled by what the pre-eminent Palestinian historian Walid Khalidi termed “the British shield”, its project met with success in 1948 with the establishment of the Israeli state. Israel could not have been established as a Jewish state without the mass dispossession and expulsion of the Arabs of Palestine, and the wholesale usurpation of their lands and properties. Israel could not have developed as a Zionist state without the systematic application of structural racism against its non-Jewish citizens and the enforcement of apartheid regimes against Arab populations beyond its initial boundaries that would come under its control in subsequent decades. Crucially, the exact same pattern would have been implemented, by design, if the Zionist movement had opted for Uganda, Libya, or any other territory under its consideration instead of Palestine. It is this which distinguishes Zionism from most (but not all) other nationalisms. In other words, the British Green Party, like the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 3379 of 1975, got it exactly right.

This is a low even for the Mail . Note this line "Almost certainly, in common with all Jewish families, there will have been members of Mr Polanski's wider family who were persecuted in the Holocaust. But it is unclear who he was referring to when he told the story of his ancestors fleeing the Nazis." So what's the point of this article? It is designed to say Zack Polanski has invented a story that members of his family were persecuted by the Nazis but then says the issue is its not clear who precisely he was talking about. The intent is to discredit him despite knowing he is likely to have family who were persecuted and knowing this story will uneash a torrent of antisemitism against him.( Check some of tbe grotesque comments in the replies). The deeper message is that the experience of the Holocaust should only generate sympathy for Jews who' s politics the Mail approves. In particular, one suspects, if you are an antizionist Jew as Zack is, then you and your family history, dont count. Foul.

"The children will grow up". This was also the argument that Nazi officials gave, during the Nuremberg Trials, to justify why they had killed children during the Holocaust.

In his keynote speech at @HolocaustUK annual fundraiser @simon_schama says:”We will not have our job done until anybody uttering the notion that Israel is committing genocide is made to be ashamed for doing so.”

It's a terrible, terrible price to pay for being a fantasist. Fabulists rarely harm themselves, but the intensity of this case is almost unprecedented

The judge has ruled that Ben Jamal and Chris Nineham are guilty on all charges. This is a disgraceful decision. We will follow up soon with a full statement. Our right to protest is precious, and is undermined by this decision, but the fight is not over.

Incredibly concerning to see witch-hunts on the eve of CEC elections driven by Your Party’s leadership. Ian Spencer must be reinstated. Stand with members: grassrootsleft.org

I'm very glad to see that @GoldsmithsUoL is marking Holocaust Memorial Day and providing a booklist. Interesting that one of their staff has written 4 books about Holocaust experiences and events. (Me). None of my books on the recommended list nor my video. Good old Goldsmiths.

WE WON The General Medical Council Tribunal has thrown out the complaint made by UK Lawyers for Israel, accusing me of support of violence and terrorism and antisemitism.

Responding to historic tweets, Alaa today says: "I am shaken that, just as I am being reunited with my family for the first time in 12 years, several historic tweets of mine have been republished and used to question and attack my integrity and values, escalating to calls for the revocation of my citizenship. Looking at the tweets now - the ones that were not completely twisted out of their meaning - I do understand how shocking and hurtful they are, and for that I unequivocally apologise. They were mostly expressions of a young man’s anger and frustrations in a time of regional crises (the wars on Iraq, on Lebanon and Gaza), and the rise of police brutality against Egyptian youth. I particularly regret some that were written as part of online insult battles with the total disregard for how they read to other people. I should have known better. Looking back I see the writings of a much younger person, deeply enmeshed in antagonistic online cultures, utilising flippant, shocking and sarcastic tones in the nascent, febrile world of social media. But this young man never intended to offend a wider public and was, in the real world, engaged in the non-violent pro-democracy movement and repeatedly incarcerated for calling for full equality, human rights and democracy for all. Today, this middle aged father firmly believes all our fates are entwined and we can only achieve prosperous and safe lives for our children together. All the initiatives I’ve led reflect this. I must also stress that some tweets have been completely misunderstood, seemingly in bad faith. For example, a tweet being shared to allege homophobia on my part was actually ridiculing homophobia. I have paid a steep price for my public support for LGBTQ rights in Egypt and the world. Another tweet has been wrongly interpreted to suggest Holocaust denial - but in fact the exchange shows that I was clearly mocking Holocaust denial. I take accusations of antisemitism very seriously. I have always believed that sectarianism and racism are the most sinister and dangerous of forces, and I did my part and paid the price for standing up for the rights of religious minorities in Egypt. I faced a military tribunal and imprisonment for defending Christians in Egypt falsely accused of violence. This weekend was supposed to be the first time I celebrated my son’s birthday with him since 2012, when he was one year old. I have been imprisoned in Egypt for almost his entire life for my consistent promotion of equality, justice and secular democracy. That included publicly rejecting anti-Jewish speech in Egypt, often at risk to myself, defence of LGBTQ rights, defence of Egyptian Christians, and campaigning against police torture and brutality - all at great risk. And, indeed, my freedom was stripped from me for these defences of human rights. These values are core to my identity. It has been painful to see some people who supported calls for my release now feel regret for doing so. Whatever they feel now, they did the right thing. Standing up for human rights and a citizen unjustly imprisoned is something honourable, and I will always be grateful for that solidarity. I have received huge empathy and solidarity from people across the UK, enough to win me my freedom, and I will be forever grateful for this."