Anti-Zionist Jewish Congress Set for Vienna
An unprecedented Jewish congress opposing Zionism will soon take place in Austria. The event aims to empower Jewish voices that challenge Zionist ideology, condemn the weaponisation of anti-Semitism, and denounce Israel’s treatment of Palestinians.
Event Overview
Slated for mid-June in Vienna, the forum will showcase distinguished academics and activists recognized for their critical work on Palestine and Israel. The gathering seeks to demonstrate that questioning Zionism does not equate to anti-Semitism while offering a global platform for anti-Zionist perspectives.
Notable Participants
Among the prominent speakers are Israeli historian Ilan Pappe, Palestinian researcher Salman Abu Sitta, American comedian and commentator Katie Halper, retired UK professor Haim Bresheeth, and Canadian academic Jacob Rapkin. Organiser Dalia Sarig-Fellner explained that the congress unites people from various backgrounds in their resolve against Zionism and their commitment to justice and liberation in Palestine.
The Importance of Vienna
Vienna, the city where Theodor Herzl penned his influential work, holds deep symbolic value for this initiative. It is precisely because Vienna is intertwined with the history of Zionism that it has been chosen as the venue—a place to repudiate an ideology tied to historical injustices. Organisers also intend to challenge the Austrian government over its continued support for Israel.
Addressing Ongoing Conflict
The convocation is driven in large measure by the devastating situation unfolding in Gaza. The relentless violence, now marking its 600th day, has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian fatalities and hundreds of thousands injured, according to recent statements from local health authorities. This dire context reinforces the urgency of re-examining the roots of the conflict and galvanising support for Palestinian liberation.
Broader Goals
Beyond critiquing Zionism, participants will discuss ways Jewish communities can positively contribute to the struggle for Palestinian freedom. The organisers note that local attempts to host pro-Palestinian events in Austria have faced unexplained obstacles and cancellations, highlighting challenges to free expression. The congress is orchestrated by an Austrian anti-Zionist group within a larger network of Jews for Justice for Palestinians that collaborates with similar organisations worldwide.
Vienna’s Zionist Legacy
Although Zionism emerged in several parts of Europe, Vienna has a particularly significant role in its history, largely due to Theodor Herzl. Herzl established the movement’s central office in Vienna and launched the Zionist publication “Die Welt” from the city. Born into a secular, assimilated Jewish family, Herzl’s legacy is complex; while he championed the idea of a Jewish state, his vision has also been linked to the later displacement and suffering of Palestinian communities.
This congress challenges that heritage by arguing that Zionism has fueled ongoing conflict in Palestine, contributing to decades of displacement and suffering. Organisers assert that the historic Zionist drive led to acts of settler expansion and ethnic cleansing—a process that reached a devastating climax in 1948 with the forced displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.
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