Historical and Contemporary Perspectives on Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism: Navigating the Complexities of Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism. JVP.

 Key points from the statement by the Academic Advisory Council (AAC) of Jewish Voice for Peace regarding the firing of Maura Finkelstein by Muhlenberg College, along with further explanations:

1. Condemnation of Firing
   - The AAC condemns the firing of Maura Finkelstein.
   -  The AAC views the firing as unjust and demands her immediate reinstatement. They also call for the removal of key administrative figures at Muhlenberg College, including President Harring, Provost Furge, and Board Chair Lance Bruck.

2. Reason for Termination
   - Finkelstein was fired for reposting an Instagram message by Palestinian poet Remi Kanazi.
   -  The reposted message was critical of Zionists, which Muhlenberg College cited as the reason for her termination. This action has been reported and corroborated by external sources¹,².

3. Academic Freedom
   - The AAC argues that the repost falls within the bounds of academic freedom.
   - According to the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), extramural speech (speech outside the classroom) is protected unless it demonstrates unfitness for a faculty member’s duties. The AAC contends that a single Instagram repost does not meet this criterion¹.

4. Previous Evaluations
   -  Finkelstein had been positively evaluated for tenure three years prior.
   - The AAC questions how a single social media post could override the substantial evidence of her competence and contributions that were considered during her tenure evaluation¹.

5. Impact on Academic Freedom
   - The firing is seen as a violation of academic freedom.
   - The AAC believes that academic freedom is essential for educational excellence. They argue that Finkelstein’s firing undermines Muhlenberg College’s legitimacy as an educational institution¹.

6. Misrepresentation of Anti-Zionism
   - Finkelstein’s anti-Zionism was misconstrued as antisemitism.
   - The AAC asserts that her anti-Zionist stance was wrongly interpreted as a threat to Jewish students. They emphasize that her speech did not constitute a threat to any group based on religion or ethnicity¹.

7. Anonymous Petition as an Instigating Factor
   - An anonymous petition pressured Muhlenberg administrators to target Dr. Finkelstein.
   - The petition, which was circulated anonymously, played a significant role in the decision to fire Dr. Finkelstein. Although the senior administrators may not be responsible for the petition, they are criticized for not standing against its underlying assumptions.

8. Obligation of Educators and Administrators
   - Educators and administrators should oppose the petition's assumptions.
   -  The statement argues that educators should not avoid teaching controversial subjects to prevent student discomfort. Higher education should challenge received beliefs, which may cause discomfort but is essential for intellectual growth.

9. Criticism of Zionism vs. Antisemitism
   -  Criticisms of Zionism are not criticisms of Jews or Judaism.
   - The statement clarifies that Zionism is a political project, while Judaism is a religion with a much longer history. Criticizing Zionism does not equate to antisemitism, as Zionism has always been a contested issue among Jews.

10. Failure to Meet Responsibilities
   -  Muhlenberg administrators failed to oppose harmful notions.
   -  Instead of defending academic freedom, administrators subjected Dr. Finkelstein to hostile questioning, reflecting the petition's assumptions. This failure undermines their responsibilities as educators.

11. Definitions and Distinctions
   - Anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism are distinct concepts.
   - Anti-Semitism is defined as hostility and prejudice against Jewish †. In contrast, Zionism is a political movement advocating for the establishment and support of a Jewish state in the historical land of Israel. Anti-Zionism opposes this movement¹².

12. Overlap and Misuse
   - The terms are sometimes conflated, leading to confusion and misuse.
   - Some argue that anti-Zionism can be a coded form of anti-Semitism, while others believe that criticism of Israel's policies should not be equated with hatred of Jews. This conflation can obscure legitimate political discourse and criticism¹².

13. Historical Context
   -  The historical context of both terms is significant.
   - Zionism emerged as a response to centuries of persecution and the desire for a Jewish homeland. Anti-Zionism has roots in opposition to this movement, sometimes from within the Jewish community itself. Understanding this history is crucial to navigating the current debates¹².

14. Criticism of Israeli Policies
   - Criticism of Israeli government policies is not inherently anti-Semitic.
   - Many argue that it is possible to critique the actions of the Israeli state, such as its treatment of Palestinians, without being anti-Semitic. This distinction is important for maintaining open and honest dialogue about Middle Eastern politics¹³.

15. Potential for Harm
   - Anti-Zionism can sometimes cross into anti-Semitism.
   - When anti-Zionist rhetoric denies the right of Jews to self-determination or uses anti-Jewish tropes, it can become anti-Semitic. This can lead to discrimination and violence against Jews, both in Israel and globally²⁴.

16. Debate and Emotions
   - The debate around these terms is highly emotional and complex.
   - The relationship between anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism is fraught with strong emotions and differing perspectives. This complexity makes it challenging to find common ground and requires careful, nuanced discussion¹².

17. Questioning the College's Actions
   - The AAC questions why Muhlenberg College would support a falsehood at the expense of academic freedom.
   - The AAC is critical of the college for prioritizing what they see as a dangerous misrepresentation of anti-Zionism over the protection of academic freedom. They argue that this undermines the core values of academic institutions.

18. Holocaust Lesson
   -  The AAC emphasizes that the lesson of the Holocaust is "never again" for all human beings.
   - They argue that the humane and ethical takeaway from the Holocaust should be a universal commitment to preventing atrocities against any group of people. They see Muhlenberg's actions as a betrayal of this principle by misrepresenting anti-Zionism as antisemitism.

19. Condemnation of Muhlenberg's Response
   -  The AAC condemns Muhlenberg's response to Dr. Finkelstein's anti-Zionism.
   - They describe the college's actions as egregious and vicious, viewing the termination as a fundamental betrayal of academic freedom and ethical principles.

20. Grief and Rage for Victims
   -  The AAC expresses grief and rage for the victims of what they describe as Israel's ongoing genocide.
   - This statement reflects their strong emotional response to the situation and their solidarity with the Palestinian cause. They see the firing of Dr. Finkelstein as part of a broader pattern of injustice.

21. Demand for Reinstatement and Accountability
   - The AAC demands the reinstatement of Dr. Finkelstein and the removal of those responsible for her termination.
   - They call for immediate action to reverse the termination and hold accountable the individuals at Muhlenberg College who made the decision. This includes administrative officials and board member.
These points highlight the AAC's stance on the importance of protecting academic freedom and the perceived injustice in Finkelstein's termination. 

Source:
¹: [Inside Higher Ed](https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2024/10/02/us-resolves-probe-pro-palestine-professors-speech)
²: [The Intercept](https://theintercept.com/2024/09/26/tenured-professor-fired-palestine-israel-zionism/)
(1) U.S. resolves probe into pro-Palestine professor's speech. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2024/10/02/us-resolves-probe-pro-palestine-professors-speech.
(2) Meet the First Tenured Professor to Be Fired for Pro-Palestine Speech. https://theintercept.com/2024/09/26/tenured-professor-fired-palestine-israel-zionism/.
(3) Pennsylvania professor fired for opposing Gaza genocide. https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/10/01/erkg-o01.html.
(4) US college in spotlight after Jewish prof. claims she was fired over .... https://www.timesofisrael.com/us-college-in-spotlight-after-jewish-prof-claims-she-was-fired-over-pro-palestinian-posts/.
BBC News](https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36160928)
²: [The New Republic](https://newrepublic.com/article/185587/anti-zionism-vs-antisemitism)
³: [ABC News](https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-15/jewish-australians-anti-semitism-anti-zionism-israel-ihra/103446882)
⁴: [No Tolerance for Antisemitism](https://notoleranceforantisemitism.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/anti-zionism)
(1) What's the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism?. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-36160928.
(2) No, Anti-Zionism Is Not Antisemitism—Except When It Is. https://newrepublic.com/article/185587/anti-zionism-vs-antisemitism.
(3) What is anti-Zionism? And is it the same thing as anti-Semitism? It's a .... https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-15/jewish-australians-anti-semitism-anti-zionism-israel-ihra/103446882.
(4) Anti-Zionism - No Tolerance for Antisemitism. https://notoleranceforantisemitism.adl.org/resources/backgrounder/anti-zionism.