12 More Photos of San Francisco Protest Against War on Gaza

"We will not rest until we destroy the Zionist entity" said Hamas leader Fathi Hammad in Gaza on Friday January 2nd 2009 - quoted by the BBC and numerous media sources.

I'm, like many progressive jews, have been speaking out for years against the crimes committed by the Israeli state, and the need for justice in Isr/Pal.

Yet signs like the last one here, really DON'T help at all.

To suggest that the result of Nazism was the creation of Israel is offensive. The result of Nazism was the elimination of 6-9 million Jews, Roma, LGBT, and political opponents. It was the elimination of the cultural centers of european judaism.

The concept of Zionism has been around since at least the late 1800s. The idea itself doesn't imply that Judaism is superior to any other religion, but encourages the creation of a nation-state around Jerusalem. There were many Jews then (and now) that were opposed to this idea. But when so many countries (including the U.S., Australia, etc.) refused to accept Jews fleeing from the Holocaust, Zionism got more support. Better to have the Jews over there than in our country, you could hear them saying.

Another problem with this sign is the use of the Star of David as the symbol for Zionism. The star is a symbol for Judaism, the religion, and it's unfortunate that Israel happened to put it on it's flag, but Zionism is not Judaism, and when you use the Star of David in a negative fashion, you're criticizing not just Zionists but ALL jews. Are you sure you really want to do that?

I say these things because when you blur the lines between judaism and zionism, you lose allies within the jewish community. It's important to be critical of the Israeli state's oppressive tactics, but have some respect for the diversity of the Jewish community!