Ethan Katz, an associate professor of history at the University of California, Berkeley, is set to give a lecture, “Zionism and Anti-Zionism: Beyond the Polemics,” on March 25 at Washington University in St. Louis. Hosted by the Adam Cherrick Lecture Fund and the Department of Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies, the event will take on one of the most debated topics of our time.
Here’s what you need to know before attending.
Why this topic matters right now
Zionism and anti-Zionism have been at the center of intense debate for decades, but recent events have amplified the discourse. The Oct. 7 attacks and the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza have further complicated conversations about antisemitism, colonialism and Jewish identity. Katz’s lecture aims to push beyond slogans and into the historical complexities of these debates.
“We have a tremendous amount of misunderstanding around these terms,” Katz told the Jewish Light. “In broad strokes, there are two widespread claims that are highly polemical but also widely believed and they are opposed to one another: one says that Zionism is simply a form of domination, colonialism, dispossession and violence. The other says that anti-Zionism is simply the newest form of antisemitism. In fact, both Zionism and anti-Zionism are far more complex and multi-faceted than such claims suggest.”
A scholar’s perspective: Who is Ethan Katz?
Katz specializes in modern Jewish history, focusing on Jewish-Muslim relations, colonialism, and antisemitism. His book “The Burdens of Brotherhood: Jews and Muslims from North Africa to France” examines inter-ethnic relations, revealing historical patterns of exclusion and belonging.
“We cannot appreciate the meaning of Zionism for most Israelis without understanding the history of antisemitism,” Katz says. “We cannot understand Zionism’s meaning for most Palestinians without placing it in part in the history of colonialism.” His work aims to provide historical depth to contemporary debates.
What to expect (without giving too much away)
The lecture will break down different strands of anti-Zionism, exploring when and how they intersect with antisemitism. Katz will also examine how Zionism has been framed through different historical and political lenses.
“These debates are not new,” Katz notes. “But what October 7 and its aftermath have done is raise the stakes exponentially. For both Israelis and Palestinians, the war that has been fought since that date has elements that feel existential. This sense of existential importance has shaped the discourses in the U.S. as well, so that each side sees its perspective on Zionism and anti-Zionism as not only correct but existentially crucial to articulate and defend.”
How to engage with the lecture
For those unfamiliar with the topic, Katz encourages an open-minded approach. Rather than confirming pre-existing beliefs, he hopes attendees will use the lecture as an opportunity to expand their perspectives.
“There are sets of competing misconceptions around these issues,” he says. “One side says Zionism is colonialism, full stop; the other says Zionism is the farthest thing from colonialism, full stop. One side says Jews are white and privileged and do not suffer significant persecution; the other says antisemitism is an imminent threat constantly overlooked. One side says anti-Zionism is entirely separate from antisemitism; the other says the two are synonymous. The truth is much more nuanced.”
Why this discussion matters beyond the lecture hall
Katz doesn’t plan to offer easy answers, but he does hope to encourage deeper thinking. Understanding the history behind these debates can help shift conversations toward nuance and empathy.
“We need to be much more precise with the terms that we use, and we need the help of historical context and rigorous analysis,” he explains. “The polemics dominating our discourse today do not stand up when we look at the history of anti-Zionism, for instance, and its multiple strands. And that history helps us to realize that some forms of anti-Zionism are much more prone to antisemitism than others, and that each has identifiable features.”
Zionism and Anti-Zionism: Beyond the Polemics
Where: Clark-Fox Forum, Hillman Hall, on Washington University’s Danforth Campus
When: March 25 at 6:00 p.m.
More Info: A reception will precede the event at 5:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
