Understanding Post-Zionism: A Shift in Israeli Ideology
In recent decades, a significant movement within Israel has emerged, advocating for a transition to a post-Zionist phase. This concept has gained traction, especially in light of the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. The program “Mawazine,” aired on Al Jazeera 360, explored the foundations of Zionism and the implications of this shift in ideology.
The post-Zionist movement, as explained by Dr. Mohsen Saleh, director of the Al-Zaytouna Center for Studies, began to take shape in the late 1980s, gaining clear ideological footing after the Oslo Accords in 1993. Prominent figures in this movement include historians like Ilan Pappe and Avi Shlaim, who challenge the traditional Israeli narrative surrounding the establishment of the Israeli state in 1948. They argue that the suffering and displacement of the Palestinian people must be acknowledged, suggesting that Zionism achieved its goal with the creation of Israel, thus paving the way for a post-Zionist reality.
However, the post-Zionist trend is not without its divisions. Some advocates for equal rights between Palestinians and Israelis have returned to traditional Zionist views, complicating the movement's cohesion. Dr. Muhannad Mustafa, an expert in Israeli affairs, highlights that post-Zionism encompasses both a historical perspective—seeing Zionism as having fulfilled its mission—and an analytical framework that reflects the evolving dynamics within Israeli society.
The rise of a new Zionist movement, particularly in the face of extreme right-wing politics in Israel, poses additional challenges to the post-Zionist agenda. This new Zionism seeks to revive traditional Zionist ideals, leading to ongoing debates about the nature of Jewish identity in Israel—whether it will lean more towards religious observance or maintain a national and cultural focus.
Dr. Mustafa argues that for Israel to transition into a liberal, non-Zionist democratic state, a dismantling of Zionist ideology is necessary. Currently, he asserts, democracy in Israel serves primarily as a mechanism to uphold the Zionist project, with systemic inequalities persisting between Jewish citizens and Palestinian citizens, who, despite holding Israeli citizenship, do not enjoy equal rights.
Dr. Saleh expresses skepticism about the decline of Zionist tendencies, predicting that political Zionism will continue to thrive, driven by a perceived need to preserve the Jewish character of the state amid regional tensions. He points to the psychological underpinnings of Israeli nationalism, which often seeks to negate the existence of the Palestinian narrative through settlement expansion and cultural appropriation.
As the conflict continues to evolve, the discourse surrounding Zionism and post-Zionism remains critical in understanding Israel's future trajectory. For a more in-depth analysis, viewers can access the full episode on the Al Jazeera 360 platform.
