Lynne Cohen: IJV Coordinator's Anti-Zionism Defense Exposes Gaslighting of Jewish Identity
In a pointed response to recent commentary, Lynne Cohen has challenged Corey Balsam's defense of anti-Zionism, arguing that his position fundamentally ignores how Jewish people are denied the right to self-determination while other nations face no comparable legitimacy challenges. The critique centers on what Cohen describes as a troubling pattern of gaslighting within certain political circles.
The Core Argument Against Anti-Zionism Claims
Cohen takes particular issue with Balsam's assertion that criticism of Israel and Zionism does not constitute antisemitism. Her analysis suggests that Balsam's own arguments inadvertently validate the very accusations he seeks to dismiss. The central contention revolves around how anti-Zionism positions uniquely question Jewish national rights in ways not applied to other ethnic or national groups seeking self-determination.
Examining Independent Jewish Voices' Ideological Framework
The discussion turns to Balsam's organization, Independent Jewish Voices (IJV), which Cohen characterizes as deceptively named in its presentation. She questions the group's claim to independence, suggesting its public materials reflect a deep commitment to far-left ideology rather than genuinely independent thought. While acknowledging Balsam and NDP leader Avi Lewis's right to their perspectives, Cohen challenges the notion that Zionist voices would find genuine welcome within IJV's ranks.
Historical Context and Misrepresentations of Zionism
Cohen identifies what she considers fundamental misunderstandings in Balsam's portrayal of Zionism. She defines Zionism simply as the belief that Jewish people, as a national group, possess the right to national self-determination—a right she argues is routinely questioned in ways not applied to other nations.
The historical analysis becomes particularly detailed as Cohen addresses what she views as factual inaccuracies in Balsam's narrative:
- Zionism as an activist movement dates to the mid-19th century, not merely the 20th century
- Early Jewish immigration occurred under Ottoman Muslim rule, not British colonial facilitation
- All settlements were constructed on purchased land rather than seized territory
British Policy and the Reality of Jewish Immigration Restrictions
Cohen provides a nuanced examination of British involvement, arguing that the 1917 Balfour Declaration represented a tactical wartime measure rather than genuine support for Jewish independence. She notes that similar promises were made to Arab populations under Ottoman rule for identical strategic reasons.
The historical record reveals a more complex reality than Balsam's narrative suggests, according to Cohen's analysis. She emphasizes that:
- British policy severely restricted Jewish immigration, particularly before and after World War II
- Jewish Holocaust survivors were actively barred from entering Palestine by British authorities
- Those attempting entry faced arrest and internment in Cypriot prison camps
The Foundation of Modern Israel
Cohen concludes by addressing what she considers a crucial misconception about Israel's founding population. Contrary to popular narratives, she argues that Israel's independence under the 1947 UN Partition Resolution was achieved primarily by an established, thriving Jewish community already in situ, rather than consisting mainly of Holocaust survivors. This distinction forms a critical part of her argument about the legitimacy of Jewish self-determination claims.
The broader implication of Cohen's critique suggests that questioning Jewish national rights while accepting similar claims from other groups represents a form of political gaslighting that deserves closer examination in Canadian political discourse.
