The Zionist establishment is clearly worried that its long-held dominance of the public arena is coming to an end. After decades of supporting Israeli occupation policies and brutality against the Palestinians, a growing number of Jews and non-Jews are rejecting these figures. Isi Leibler articulates the fear:
World Jewry is also experiencing a general decline. Despite a revival among the Orthodox, the vast majority of Diaspora Jews are undergoing unprecedented levels of assimilation and snowballing intermarriage. Anti-Jewish prejudice in the media and in society at large continues to escalate. More and more assimilated younger Jews are distancing themselves from Israel, some even becoming part of the anti-Zionist chic.
These trends are paralleled by a general decline in Zionism’s fortunes. Thirty years ago Jewish communal bodies all accepted the centrality of Israel in Jewish life and a strong commitment to Israel was a prerequisite for anyone with Jewish leadership aspirations. There was also a consensus that Diaspora Jews, whose lives were not on the line, were obliged to exercise restraint in relation to criticism of Israel’s security policies.
Today, that no longer applies. The influence of Israeli diplomats on Jewish communities has drastically receded. The Jewish Agency and its international Zionist affiliates have, with few notable exceptions, withdrawn from the political arena and concentrate almost exclusively on fundraising. The beneficiaries of these changes are the major American donors, who today dominate the agenda.
In recent years the situation has further deteriorated. Jews previously relegated to the margins of Jewish life are emerging from the closet to attack Israel with unprecedented hutzpa. When disowned by mainstream groups, they shriek that they are being denied freedom of expression”¦
Indeed, if one follows the UK media one may be forgiven for reaching the conclusion that marginal anti- Israel Jewish groups and personalities have become more effective than the mainstream Jewish organizations.
A more humane Judaism is coming to the fore, one that proudly speaks in public with a less militant voice. First-wave Zionism has failed to secure Israel’s future or establish a Palestinian state. It is therefore more than time to supersede them and shun them appropriately.
We are having a major effect.