The Short Answer
Zionism is the movement for the self-determination of the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland — in essence, the belief that Jews, like other peoples, have the right to a nation-state. Criticizing specific Israeli policies is not antisemitic. But denying Jews alone the right to self-determination, or calling for Israel's elimination, is widely regarded as antisemitism, including under the IHRA working definition adopted by dozens of governments.
What Zionism means
The word comes from "Zion," a biblical name for Jerusalem. Modern political Zionism was organized by Theodor Herzl in the 1890s in response to centuries of persecution in Europe, but the longing to return to Zion is woven through Jewish prayer and tradition going back thousands of years.
Today, Zionism simply means support for the existence of Israel as a Jewish and democratic state. Surveys consistently show that most Jews around the world feel a connection to Israel.
Where criticism ends and antisemitism begins
Israelis themselves debate their government's policies vigorously — criticism of a government is normal in any democracy. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition, adopted or endorsed by the U.S., the EU and dozens of countries, gives examples of when anti-Israel rhetoric crosses into antisemitism: denying the Jewish people the right to self-determination, applying double standards required of no other democratic nation, using classic antisemitic imagery, or holding Jews collectively responsible for Israel's actions.
Since October 7, 2023, antisemitic incidents have surged around the world, often under anti-Zionist slogans — which is why many Jewish organizations argue that the distinction matters so much.
Key Facts
- Herzl organized the First Zionist Congress in 1897
- The IHRA definition was adopted in 2016
- Dozens of countries have adopted or endorsed the IHRA definition
- Antisemitic incidents rose sharply after October 7, 2023
Sources & Further Reading
- IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism
- Zionism — Encyclopaedia Britannica
- ADL — Antisemitism resources
- AJC — Translate Hate glossary
This answer reflects publicly available information as of October 2026.