Anti-Zionism and Antisemitism in Latin America

Any intelligent discussion of the connection between anti-Zionism and antisemitism in Latin America must be preceded by a clarification of the notion of anti-Zionism. I take the view that anti-Zionism is not precisely the same as antisemitism although their manifestations may be closely linked and may often appear simultaneously. Obviously, one may lead to the other. However, ideological and political adversaries of Zionism need not have the characteristics of typical antisemites. Opposition to particular policies of the Israeli government are not per se expressions of antisemitism. But there are certainly discrepancies concerning the degree to which the denial of the legitimacy of the existence of a Jewish state — the essence of Zionism — can be considered as antisemitism. Some will maintain that denying to Jews that which is accepted for any other nation — that is the right to self-determination — is a form of antisemitism; others will not identify such a denial with antisemitism as defined by the Encyclopaedia Judaica : ‘a term denoting all forms of hostility manifested towards the Jews throughout history’. A Palestinian Arab opposed to Zionism may not be an antisémite in the indicated sense. Much of anti-Zionism — and sometimes anti-Israelism — doubtless carries with it ingredients deserving to be identified as antisemitism. But this is not always the case and a theoretical distinction can be made. These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.