How Zionism Confuses, Cons and Co-opts, with Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro

 

This video, hosted by Dan Cohen and featuring Rabbi Yaakov Shapiro, critically examines Zionism's origins, ideology, and impact.

It reveals Zionism’s roots in 16th-century Christian evangelical theology and its evolution into a political nationalist movement, contrasting sharply with Judaism’s spiritual essence. Rabbi Shapiro argues that Zionism appropriates Jewish symbols and narratives to legitimize its secular goals, often conflating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism to silence critique. The discussion highlights the pivotal role of British evangelical Christians, the ideological transformation led by figures like Theodore Herzl, and the displacement and conflict stemming from the establishment of the State of Israel. It underscores the incompatibility of Zionism with traditional Jewish values, framing it as a movement that redefined Jewish identity to prioritize political sovereignty over spiritual holiness.