system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
CMV: anti-zionism and antisemitism should not be conflated.

I often hear that to be anti-zionist is to be antisemitic, not least from President Macron. I feel like this is just a way to pussyfoot around a difficult topic, and avoid any accusations.

Zionism is a political movement. Judaism is a religion. In the same way that it's ridiculous to suggest that anyone who condemns FGM or the abuse of women in saudi arabia is Islamophobic.

I should also add that I don't think Israel should be abolished, or that Isrealis should "just go back to poland" or whatever other crazy shit some people say. But there is a clear cognitive dissonance going on with Zionists , saying that a people who lived there literally in the ancient world have the right to settle more so than those who did less than 100.

I also understand the history and the context, and lord knows that if I was part of a group of people who have more or less non-stop been persecuted for literally no reason I would want my own state. But I don't think the end justifies the means, and I think its just kind of hilarious the way that history is written and framed.

It's a complex issue, and regardless of your opinion I can't see how you wouldn't be able to see the fucked up elements in both sides of the argument. And labelling one side as  antisemitic just shuts down the dialogue.

&#x200B;

EDIT: Thanks for the generally friendly discussion. Though my view has not changed it's nice to grapple with other sides of the argument. I have an exam tomorrow so I have to dip. Shout out to my Jewish brothers and sisters, peace.
gpt
The reasons they might be conflated is because there have been clearly anti semitic protests that have operated under  the guise of being anti zionist. Ideally they would not be conflated but the reality is generally an anti semite will also be anti zionist and will use anti-zionist as a dog whistle or a shield to legitimize their hate.