Naomi Klein Calls for Departure from Zionism at Passover Protest in Brooklyn

On the second night of Passover, award-winning author and activist Naomi Klein joined thousands of Jewish Americans and allies at a "Seder in the Streets to Stop Arming Israel" protest in Brooklyn, just a block from the home of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. The protest was held to oppose ongoing U.S. support for the Israeli assault on Gaza.

In an opinion piece, Klein called for a departure from Zionism, stating that "too many of our people are worshiping a false idol" called Zionism. She contended that the current Zionist ideology and policies of the Israeli government are harmful and need to be abandoned, criticizing the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories and the treatment of Palestinians.

Klein used biblical allegory to draw attention to the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza, condemning Zionism for turning the transcendent idea of the promised land into a deed of sale for a militaristic ethnostate. She portrayed Zionism as an ideology that has justified oppression, colonialism, and violence in the name of Jewish safety, equating Israeli safety with Egyptian dictatorship and client states, leading to mass displacement and suffering for the Palestinian people.

The protest highlighted the profound consequences of Zionism, including the bombing of universities and the destruction of schools, archives, and printing presses in Gaza. Klein emphasized that this path has caused many Jews to justify the shredding of core commandments, going against the fundamental principles of their faith.

Why this matters: The protest and Klein's opinion piece reflect growing dissent among Jewish Americans over U.S. support for Israel and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The call for a departure from Zionism challenges traditional views and sparks important discussions about the future of the region and the role of Jewish identity in the conflict.

Hundreds of Jewish anti-war demonstrators were arrested during the Passover seder protest, as they shut down a major thoroughfare to pray for a ceasefire and urge Schumer to end U.S. military aid to Israel. The protest took place just before the U.S. Senate passed a $26 billion military package for Israel. Klein called for a new form of Judaism that is internationalist by nature and rooted in solidarity with others, urging Jewish people to liberate themselves from an ideology that wants them to be perennially afraid and to embrace a more inclusive and open-to-questioning Judaism.

Key Takeaways

• Naomi Klein joined protest against U.S. support for Israel's assault on Gaza.
• Klein called for departure from Zionism, criticizing Israeli occupation of Palestine.
• Protest highlighted consequences of Zionism, including bombing of universities in Gaza.
• Hundreds of Jewish anti-war protesters arrested during Passover seder protest.
• Klein urged Jews to embrace a more inclusive and open-to-questioning Judaism.