Hezbollah and Iran 'poised to attack Israel this week'

[Moreofthesamenothanks]

https://news.sky.com/story/hezbollah-and-iran-poised-to-attack-israel-this-week-as-region-on-brink-of-dangerous-escalation-13196134

Yes 😣

So, because my understanding is that, as has happened with many different words and names over centuries, the influence of extreme elements has coloured how many people understand a word, that means I'm reinforcing that definition?

Zionism isn't extremist as a word, a concept or a belief. Some people can't even bring themselves to acknowledge what it actually means but choose to keep justifying the perception of it that's been created and amplified by anti-Zionists (the clue is in the name) to invalidate and reject Zionism. Doing this whilst also ignoring the racism inherent in harmfully misappropriating and redefining a term specific to a minority-especially in a way that has serious consequences for that minority-isn't doing anything to contribute to positive change.

How has what I said done that?

It hasn't.

What I've described is literally what people have been describing as their thought processes when I've asked them why they were wanting to carry anti-Zionist signs or say anti-Zionist slogans. They thought that Zionism meant extreme, far-right, pro-genocide, pro-violence, etc beliefs. They believed that because fringe elements, which have become more prominent over time, were presenting that as being the meaning of the word. That's not a new thing, it's been going on for decades - if you control the language around something, you control the conversation. Usually, when I explained to people what Zionism actually meant, they were surprised, said that wasn't what they had meant at all, and went on to not hold that sign or say that slogan.

I think there is confusion over which 'fringe elements' you're saying are responsible for misappropriating the word. Are you saying it's the extremist anti-Zionists who are responsible? That's not how I personally originally interpreted your comment but I can see how you might have meant that and I misunderstood.

Yes @Scirocco if that's not what you meant, who are you talking about?

Ok. No doubt there are such people.

But I’ve seen and heard many fervent and apparently clued-up anti-Israel campaigners use ‘Zionist’ as a term they know perfectly well they’re using to refer to Jews, whether Jewish Israelis or Jews outside Israel. ‘Zios’ is a term that’s crept in too.

It’s a code among antisemites.

@Humdingerydoo well, yeah.

And those people should be challenged about it, and asked what they actually mean.

if you control the language around something, you control the conversation

Cool. Can someone let the anti-Zionists know?

Who did you think I meant?

Great, that genuinely isn't how I interpreted your comment at first so I'm glad it's been clarified as at least to me, that completely changes the tone of everything you said (for the better).

Sure. If only the language were challenged, so many anti-Israel campaigners would stop being fixated on Israel to the exclusion of every other place of tension and conflict in the world. And would stop being antisemites. Just like that.

Would you prefer me to not challenge them?

It's unclear which extremists you're referring to when you say "fringe elements". Can I now take it from your response to @Humdingerydoo that you were talking about extremist anti-Zionists who promote their misappropriated version of Zionism to foster extreme prejudice against Zionists, leading to misinformed people who turn up sporting mistakenly anti-Zionist signs and slogans at your events?

Perhaps it would have been useful to check with me what I meant, if you didn't know. Who did you think I meant?

The "fringe elements". Whoever they may be.

Oh, I’m all in favour of you challenging people who throw around ‘Zionist’ in a racist fashion.

But (a) I doubt you’d reach more than a tiny percentage, and (b) I’d actually prefer that you make a proper case to them for the right of Jewish people to have a homeland free from Iran-backed violence and killing - that way they can understand the cause of Israel and in the process drop the racist language.

If you didn't know, why not ask?

Generally speaking, if people don't know what someone has meant, it can be useful to clarify before going on the attack. All that's achieved through attacks based on (incorrect) assumptions is to discourage people from making efforts in the future.

Don't worry, I knew exactly what you meant.

But she thought she knew what you were saying, so obviously didn't see the need to ask what you meant. I am sure if you look back at the comment you can see why there was confusion.

Anyway, glad it's been clarified now.

Maybe I should just stick to speaking for myself 😂

Why don't you just say what you mean and stop hiding behind cryptic statements