Zionists Slighted at March for Racial Justice Vow to Persist

Zionists joined Sister March for Racial Justice in Brooklyn on Sunday despite anti-Zionist tone of some organizers and attendees.

The march, which was organized in an effort to accommodate Jews who had been observing Yom Kippur the previous day — and were, therefore, unable to join the larger March for Racial Justice in DC — left a number of Zionists concerned about their place in progressive spaces.

One woman in her thirties (who wished to remain anonymous), said that she was verbally assaulted by a man in the crowd who told her that “as a Jew who supports Zionism,” she’s a “disgrace.” The woman, who held a “Zioness” emblazoned sign, said that the hostility made her “want to leave.”

Some of the verbal jabs even came from one of the featured speakers. Before leading marchers across the Brooklyn Bridge and into Lower Manhattan, Muslim-American activist, Linda Sarsour, took to the podium at the Jay St. Plaza. During her speech, Sarsour made references to “right-wing Zionists,” associating the pro-Israel ideology with white supremacy.

Sarsour also urged the crowd to put aside their own personal agenda and instead, focus solidarity efforts on marginalized groups. Jamie Weisbach, a yeshiva student who organizes with IfNotNow, agreed. But when asked if Sarsour’s t-shirt, which donned the words “Palestine vs. the World” served as a distraction from the issues surrounding racial justice, Weisbach argued that the “Palestinian struggle is tied to racial justice.”

When later pressed about Zionists who felt unwelcome at the march, Sarsour asserted that “anybody that stands for black lives, for racial justice — everybody is welcome here.”

Jared Sapolsky, 29, who joined the march to “support people of color and speak out against racism,” said that although he “purposefully went out of [his] way” to avoid visually presenting himself as a Zionist, he still felt targeted. “Linda was typical Linda,” he said. Still, Sapolsky believes that Jews “have to show up” if they want to feel included in progressive spaces.

Writer and content creator for Jerusalem U, Chloé Valdary, who was also in attendance, stressed that “we can be progressive and Zionist.” Remarking on the long-standing alliance between Jews and African-Americans during the Civil Rights era, Valdary added that “this is our place and it’s been our place for generations.”

Although a number of Jews felt bruised by the march’s anti-Zionist posture, others still felt that their presence in progressive demonstrations must persist. Michelle Szpilzinger, who marched with a “Torah Trumps Hate” sign, declared that “arguments about Zionism are a distraction.” Szpilzinger added that “the important thing is staying on message, which is fighting for Racial Justice and black lives. It’s not about us today.”