For decades, Zionism – the belief in the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in their ancestral homeland – has been under attack. Although the United Nations Generally Assembly’s infamous 1975 resolution slurring Zionism as “racism” was later repealed, its hateful and fallacious presumptions live on, especially on college campuses.
Student-run anti-Zionist organizations such as Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) frequently trot out this well-worn canard. Without access to accurate information and fair, objective analyses of the modern Zionist movement, students unfamiliar with Middle Eastern politics may accept the propaganda of these anti-Zionist hate groups as fact.
But CAMERA on Campus’s newest campaign – an extension of the organization’s long-running #thisiswhatazionistlookslike Instagram project – provides the educational resources needed to mitigate the harm inflicted by this latest mutation of the world’s oldest hatred.
The new campaign website features not only refutations of oft-repeated anti-Zionist falsehoods, but educational materials exploring the history of Zionism, summarizations of modern Zionism’s diverse political facets, links to further educational resources from both CAMERA and trusted outside organizations, information about upcoming CAMERA-sponsored events, and even a virtual photo booth that supporters of CAMERA on Campus’s work can use to participate in the campaign.
“As our organization’s mission statement makes clear, we know that facts and the truth can empower anyone to stand up for Israel,” said Hali Spiegel, director of campus programming and strategic relationships for CAMERA on Campus. “Because attacking Zionism itself is a central component of campus anti-Israel propaganda, this campaign strikes at the root of the problem.”
Spiegel also added that in addition to promoting the new website widely, CAMERA on Campus will be sharing relevant educational content on its Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram pages throughout the month.
“The reality is that, today, Zionism is a mainstream value among world Jewry, and this makes Jews no different than supporters of any other people’s self-determination,” said Zac Schildcrout, managing editor for CAMERA on Campus. “Zionism is a just movement, and our efforts provide our followers and supporters with the tools needed to make that case effectively.”
According to CAMERA’s campus advisor Douglas Sandoval, the website is designed to be as accessible and user-friendly as possible. “Our goal,” he added, “is to provide our followers with a digestible taste of the rich histories of Israel and the modern Zionist movement.”
CAMERA fellow Ben Stone expressed hope that the campaign will highlight the double standard inherent to anti-Zionism. “As I recently wrote, self-determination is a human right, and denying this only to the Jewish people is antisemitic.” He further added, “This is why efforts such as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism and CAMERA’s latest campaign are so critical.”
Visit the new #thisiswhatazionistlookslike campaign website at Zionism.me.