Why do some people insist that Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism?

Question

You can be anti-zionist and not be anti-semetic. I mean, there are plenty of Jews and rabbis who are against Zionism but aren't anti-Semetic.

Why do some peopel insist that Anti-Zionism is hatred towards Jews?

Examples:

www.jewsagainstzionism.com
www.jewsnotzionists.org
www.nkusa.org

Or just google "Jews Against Zionism"

Self hating Jews? LOL!

Why do people keep on bringing MLK quotes into this? He supported Zionism, big deal. Is Martin Luther King some kind of All-Knowing force? What makes his word credible? I applaud him for his role in human rights, however, his glory does not give his any more credit on the topic as anyone elses. I mean, there are many other intelligent people who are anti-Zionist as well. Not to say that they're right either, but you can't give someone credibility on something just because they did something great for humanity.

Okay, imagine this: If a group of hardcore Capitalists started a move to create a pure Capitalist homeland where no anti-Capitalism is allowed, would you be anti-Capitalist if you opposed that move?

With that being said, I think that any move by any group to create their own homeland is purely political and by opposing that move, you aren't necessarily anti-that group.

Answer 1

Not all Jews are Zionists,as not all Zionists are Jews...Zionism is a political movement for reconstituting a Jewish national state in Palestine. Jews follow a religion and not all of them agree with Zionism.
To answer your question,guess Zionists think that this is the best defense against criticism :saying that anti Zionism is anti Semitism...

Answer 2

The sites you mention represent a tiny lunatic fringe of Jews, who have been renounced by all organized Jewish groups, form the most religious to the most secular.

Regarding your question, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addressed this. He stated:

". . . You declare, my friend, that you do not hate the Jews, you are merely 'anti-Zionist.' And I say, let the truth ring forth from the high mountain tops, let it echo through the valleys of God's green earth: When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews--this is God's own truth.

"Antisemitism, the hatred of the Jewish people, has been and remains a blot on the soul of mankind. In this we are in full agreement. So know also this: anti-Zionist is inherently anti-Semitism, and ever will be so.

"Why is this? You know that Zionism is nothing less than the dream and ideal of the Jewish people returning to live in their own land. The Jewish people, the Scriptures tell us, once enjoyed a flourishing Commonwealth in the Holy Land. From this they were expelled by the Roman tyrant, the same Romans who cruelly murdered Our Lord. Driven from their homeland, their nation in ashes, forced to wander the globe, the Jewish people time and again suffered the lash of whichever tyrant happened to rule over them.

"The ***** people, my friend, know what it is to suffer the torment of tyranny under rulers not of our choosing. Our brothers in Africa have begged, pleaded, requested--DEMANDED the recognition and realization of our inborn right to live in peace under our own sovereignty in our own country.

"How easy it should be, for anyone who holds dear this inalienable right of all mankind, to understand and support the right of the Jewish People to live in their ancient Land of Israel. All men of good will exult in the fulfillment of God's promise, that his People should return in joy to rebuild their plundered land.

"This is Zionism, nothing more, nothing less.

"And what is anti-Zionist? It is the denial to the Jewish people of a fundamental right that we justly claim for the people of Africa and freely accord all other nations of the Globe. It is discrimination against Jews, my friend, because they are Jews. In short, it is antisemitism."

Answer 3

Because Anti-Zionism IS Anti-Semitism. There are self hating Jews. That isn't new. If you oppose Zionism you are saying that Jews do not have the right to a homeland. That is anti Jewish. If you were to say that Japan shouldn't exist, you would be anti Japanese.

Read this:

"Anti-Zionism = Anti-Semitism"
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
". . . You declare, my friend, that you do not hate the Jews, you are merely 'anti-Zionist.' And I say, let the truth ring forth from the high mountain tops, let it echo through the valleys of God's green earth: When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews--this is God's own truth.
"Antisemitism, the hatred of the Jewish people, has been and remains a blot on the soul of mankind. In this we are in full agreement. So know also this: anti-Zionist is inherently antisemitic, and ever will be so.

"Why is this? You know that Zionism is nothing less than the dream and ideal of the Jewish people returning to live in their own land. The Jewish people, the Scriptures tell us, once enjoyed a flourishing Commonwealth in the Holy Land. From this they were expelled by the Roman tyrant, the same Romans who cruelly murdered Our Lord. Driven from their homeland, their nation in ashes, forced to wander the globe, the Jewish people time and again suffered the lash of whichever tyrant happened to rule over them.

"The ***** people, my friend, know what it is to suffer the torment of tyranny under rulers not of our choosing. Our brothers in Africa have begged, pleaded, requested--DEMANDED the recognition and realization of our inborn right to live in peace under our own sovereignty in our own country.

"How easy it should be, for anyone who holds dear this inalienable right of all mankind, to understand and support the right of the Jewish People to live in their ancient Land of Israel. All men of good will exult in the fulfilment of God's promise, that his People should return in joy to rebuild their plundered land.

This is Zionism, nothing more, nothing less.

"And what is anti-Zionist? It is the denial to the Jewish people of a fundamental right that we justly claim for the people of Africa and freely accord all other nations of the Globe. It is discrimination against Jews, my friend, because they are Jews. In short, it is antisemitism.

"The antisemite rejoices at any opportunity to vent his malice. The times have made it unpopular, in the West, to proclaim openly a hatred of the Jews. This being the case, the antisemite must constantly seek new forms and forums for his poison. How he must revel in the new masquerade! He does not hate the Jews, he is just 'anti-Zionist'!

"My friend, I do not accuse you of deliberate antisemitism. I know you feel, as I do, a deep love of truth and justice and a revulsion for racism, prejudice, and discrimination. But I know you have been misled--as others have been--into thinking you can be 'anti-Zionist' and yet remain true to these heartfelt principles that you and I share.

Let my words echo in the depths of your soul: When people criticize Zionism, they mean Jews--make no mistake about it."