Throughout our campaign, many have asked us why we chose to use the terminology of Zionist Free Zones as opposed to Apartheid Free Zones as many other campaigns do. Here we summarise three reasons why we made this choice.

Accuracy 

While many Palestinians are living under a state of apartheid, Palestinians are also subject to occupation, displacement, and ethnic cleansing. Recent comments from Israeli minsters have  made it clear that the Zionist project is not confined itself to historic Palestine, but also has its sights on parts of Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Egypt in hopes of creating a “greater Israel”. We must call out the settler colonial ideology that drives all of this by its name and challenge it wherever we can.

Discourse 

While using the language of “Apartheid Free Zones” may gather more sympathy, we do not believe that appealing to people’s comfort will help mobilise them to take the actions needed to enact change. Additionally, appealing to peoples comfort emboldens Zionists to continue weaponising Anti-Semitism to silence Anti-Zionist activists. Being clear that we are targeting Zionism allows us to break this false conflation between Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism. 

Courage

Calling out Zionism helps others gain the courage to call things as they are. While this name might attract more pressure, as it already has from the press and the police, this pressure gives us the opportunity to confront these tactics of intimidation and the legal confinement of our words and actions. We believe that we must meet these challenges head-on with the same bravery and dedication displayed by the Palestinians resisting their extermination.

Join our mailing group to hear about future events, ways to get involved and updates in the campaign.