Prof. David Hirsh examines the rise of “anti-anti-Zionism” and debates whether antizionism should be treated as distinct from antisemitism. Hirsh argues that while antizionism presents itself as legitimate critique, it often constructs a distorted version of Zionism that labels Jews collectively as oppressive, drawing on long-standing antisemitic tropes embedded in cultural consciousness. The discussion explores how antisemitism continually reinvents itself, why antizionism resonates globally, and the dangers of abandoning the antisemitism framework when challenging it. The episode ultimately questions whether redefining antizionism as a separate form of bigotry is strategically effective, emphasizing the limits of power, persuasion, and public discourse in confronting these narratives. Guest Bio Prof. David Hirsh is a leading scholar of contemporary antisemitism and Professor of Sociology at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is the founder of the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism and has written extensively on the relationship between antisemitism, antizionism, and political discourse. His work focuses on how antisemitism evolves in modern societies, particularly within progressive movements, and he is widely recognized for his contributions to understanding and confronting antisemitism in academia and public life.
00:00 – Intro: Anti-Antizionism Explained
01:27 – Is This Really “New”?
02:59 – How Antisemitism Evolves
05:20 – Why the Hyphen Matters
06:57 – Antizionism’s Constructed Reality
09:57 – Labeling Jews & Zionists
11:27 – Conspiracy Thinking Patterns
13:51 – Separate or Same Debate
14:39 – Defining Antisemitism Today
16:59 – Why Antizionism Matters
19:11 – History vs. Modern Forms
23:26 – Culture & Jewish Identity Shifts
28:45 – How Narratives Spread
35:49 – Why Israel Becomes the Target
46:32 – Can This Strategy Work?