The Changing Meaning of “Zionism”
Published at 08:01 on 10 July 2026
Originally, Zionism (and related words like Zionist) pertained simply to support for some sort of Jewish state somewhere (not necessarily even in the Middle East). Support a Jewish state in Argentina or Alaska? You’re a Zionist. Support a Jewish state alongside a Palestinian one? You’re a Zionist. Support Israel being compelled to give back the lands it occupied post-1967, but there still being an Israel? Still a Zionist.
Things seem to be changing. From a recent poll of Jews in Milwaukee:
The survey, released last week by the Milwaukee Jewish Federation, found that 43% of Jewish adults said they identified as Zionist, while 42% said they did not. A much higher share — 69% — said they feel somewhat or very “emotionally attached to Israel.” At the same time, 52% of respondents agreed that “Israel regularly violates the human rights of the Palestinian people.”
This is, I think, something to keep in mind when one hears explicitly anti-“Zionist” rhetoric in the Palestine solidarity movement and on the Left generally.