Language:
German
Year of publication:
2015
Titel der Quelle:
Jahrbuch für Antisemitismusforschung
Angaben zur Quelle:
24 (2015) 183-214
Keywords:
Jüdische Rundschau
;
Antisemitism History 20th century
;
Zionism History 20th century
;
Jews Identity
Abstract:
Argues that the Zionist strategy for combating antisemitism, although clearly different from the policy of self-defense advocated by the Centralverein, was no less determined and coherent. It built on the assumption that the Jews had to fight antisemitism as Jews, not as Germans. Views this position as modern and in line with what post-colonial theorist Stuart Hill calls "identity politics". The Zionist strategy of affirming Jewish identity aimed to redefine Jewishness as something positive, and insisted on the difference between Jews and non-Jews. Antisemitism had to be countered at eye-level in order to question the fundamental relationship between the dominant society and this marginalized group. The goal was not to overcome antisemitism but to arm the Jews against it, and to eventually make them unassailable. The Zionists viewed this as more efficient than attempts to assimilate. Contends that although the Zionists were right according to post-colonial theory, their strategy also gave birth to new problems. The concept of identity always has repressive effects, and they are strengthened by the essentialist tendencies inherent in all identity politics, even subaltern. Post-colonial theory shows that subaltern identity politics has no choice but to rely on elements of hegemonial policy. This becomes evident in the ideological affinity that to some degree existed between Zionism and certain aspects of antisemitic thinking in Germany in 1919-33.
URL:
Locate this publication in Israeli libraries
