As far as I knew, “Zionist” as a negative was primarily used by the Nazis for all that blood libel stuff. I think it may have been used under Stalinist communism as well. The KKK and other white supremacist groups use it. You also see Zion in hymns, usually as a reference to heaven.

FWIW, I’m not a supporter of Israel or the ongoing Palestinian genocide. I also think that most of the Muslim states are terrible as well. Organized religion and its involvement in the state is a cancer and it doesn’t much matter if it’s Judaism, Islam, or Christianity. Fundamentalism is terrible.

Anyhow, when I see “Zionism” to refer to support of Israel, it pings my bullshit detector. It isn’t a part of normal discourse as I know it in the US. It feels like whomever is spouting it has been propagandized when I see it. It seems to be accompanied by varying degrees of jingoism and anger. Tends to be a very black and white worldview, almost naive. Reminds me of Qanon brainwashing but for the Left.

As this is Lemmy, it’s not coming from neo-nazis.

What is driving this?

Is it tankies? (Which I don’t know a lot about, but they seem to be heavily propagandized and unpleasant.)

Is it Muslims?

Some sort of Left ideology that isn’t common in the US?

Is it politically naive kids that have been fed talking points?

Is it Russian, Chinese, or some other state level disinfo/propaganda?

  • Brkdncr@lemmy.world
    42·
    13 hours ago

    I asked my partner this a few weeks ago. It never comes up in normal conversation. Whenever I see it, I see red flags and my BS detector turns amber.

    • Machinist@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
      22·
      5 hours ago

      Glad I’m not the only one. I’m getting down voted to hell here, not that it matters, but I don’t think I’m getting good answers.

      The Lemmy hive mind is strong.

      I guess it’s either tankie or non-US. I’m leaning towards tankie due to the down votes.

        • Machinist@lemmy.worldOPEnglish
          11·
          1 hour ago

          Boo. You’re making my point for me. Fanaticism on the right or the left is not optimal. Lemmy has a good chunk of left fanaticism that is divorced from critical thinking and is inflammatory.

          To a reasonable person, it’s obvious that I’m not in favor of genocide or ‘wars of conquest’.

          However, I’m downright ornery when it comes to people pushing blind agenda. Sick of it. Cut my teeth on the far right agenda and deprogrammed myself as that’s what I was raised in.