This article was originally published on May 7, 2013.
Did you know in 1975 the UN General Assembly passed a resolution called the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination (UN Resolution 3379)? Sounds reasonable and good, right? Who likes discrimination and bigotry? I know I certainly don’t.
The authors of Resolution 3379 attempted to define exactly what they meant by discrimination through highlighting particular acts of racism occurring during that time such as the apartheid in South Africa. Shockingly, as you continue to read through the resolution you find the UN also considered Zionism a form of racism and discrimination! Zionism is the basic belief that the Jewish people have that right to exist and live in the land of Israel. So in 1975, if you had believed the Jewish people had a right to live and exist in the land of Israel, the United Nations would have considered you a racist bigot.
UN Resolution 3379 remained valid until 1991, when it was revoked with acceptance of Resolution 46/86, which was written to annul the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination resolution. Even though 1991 brought the end of Resolution 3379, the belief that “Zionism = Racism” continued to be propagated. In 2001 at the World Conference against Racism in Durban, South Africa draft documents equating Zionism with racism were written once again.
Even today, a typical tag line used by anti-Zionists is that Israel is an “apartheid state,” equating Israel with South Africa when it was an apartheid country—the most blatant form of racism.
Digging Beyond the Slogan
An Israeli friend of mine once told me lies about Israel are being propagated everywhere in the world, but the substance of those lies only go as deep as slogans used to spread them. For instance, when someone says “Zionism = Racism,” they don’t have the full knowledge of exactly how tolerant and open-minded Israel actually is.
Lies about Israel are being propagated everywhere in the world, but the substance of those lies only go as deep as slogans used to spread them.
If Zionism is racism, one would assume only Jewish people are allowed to be citizens of Israel, while the Arabs (Christian and Muslim) would be considered second-rate. In reality, that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Israel’s citizenship consists of many races and religions. Look at these statistics:
• 75% Israeli Jews
• 21% Israeli Arabs (Muslim or Christian)
• 4% Israeli non-Arab, Christian, or other
Israeli Jews and Arabs equally receive Israel’s public healthcare, pension, and education. Israeli Jews are required by law to serve in the Israeli army, while Israeli Arabs have the option to join if they wish. Israeli Jews and Israeli Arabs have the right to vote, demonstrate, and voice their opinion against the Knesset (Israel’s government). Also, any Israeli citizen (Jewish or Arab) can run for political office. Arabs have been present in Israeli politics since the country’s birth, and today 10 Arabs hold Knesset seats.
That certainly doesn’t sound like racism or apartheid to me.
God promised through the prophets that He would return the Jewish people to the land of Israel. This promise is reiterated over and over in the Scriptures, which makes the Bible a very Zionist book. Does that mean God is racist too?
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Even in God’s promise to return the Jewish people to the land, He had all people in mind. God promised to bring the Jewish people back to Israel so that all “‘the nations shall know that I am the Lᴏʀᴅ,’ says the Lᴏʀᴅ God” (Ezek. 36:23). In this passage God reminded the Israelites that He is returning them not for their sole benefit, but for the blessing of all nations, that they may know He is the One True God!
So does Zionism = Racism? No. It’s a lie from Satan himself to bring hate to God’s Chosen People. When you meaningfully research Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, you find that Zionism is tolerant and appreciative of all people, no matter their race, color, or creed.
Photo Credit: Adobe Stock
About the Author
