The following article by Lynda Walker was first published in Unity, the weekly paper of the Irish Communist Party.
THE First Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress (JAZIC) took place in Vienna in 2025 – more than a century after the First Zionist Congress in Basel in 1897. “It is an expanding project, aiming to internationally connect anti-Zionist organizations, academics, civil society actors, as well as individuals–people from all backgrounds- who are willing to analyse, discuss, connect and act to support the Palestinian struggle in Palestine and the diaspora. In the first instance, we act with others to bring the Gaza genocide to a swift and decisive end and expose Israel to punitive international justice. Our ultimate goal is to contribute towards international sanctioning and defeating of the Zionist state occupying Palestine, through assisting the building of a global anti-Zionist movement to liberate and decolonise Palestine.”
There were many speakers and participants from all over the world. The speakers included Ilan Pappé: Israeli historian and author, who delivered a prominent keynote address. Ramzy Baroud: Palestinian author and journalist. Andrew Feinstein: Author, anti-corruption campaigner, and former South African MP. Ronnie Barkan: Israeli human rights activist and a primary organizer of the congress. Ronnie Kasrills, former Minister of State Security of South Africa, Frances Black: Irish Senator and prominent campaigner for Palestinian rights. Medea Benjamin and Peace activist – Co-founder of Code Pink. Francesca Albanese: UN Special Rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories. (the list goes on)
Francesca Albanese
The following an article written by Romana Rubeo who reported on the Second Jewish Anti-Zionist Congress via video link from Palermo on Friday, where UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese argued that the genocide in Gaza has evolved into far more than Israel’s war against the Palestinian people.
Instead, she said, it has become the clearest expression of a global political and ideological system that has normalized Palestinian dispossession while exposing the failures of international law, democratic institutions and the post-war international order itself.
The Destruction of Palestinians
Describing Palestine as both “a revealer” and “a mirror,” Albanese urged participants to view the current moment not only through the lens of Israel’s actions but through the responses—or silence—of governments, institutions and societies across the world.
“We are now in the third year of the genocide,” Albanese said, arguing that the violence imposed on Palestinians could no longer be understood as the responsibility of Israel alone.
Today, she contended, Israel operates with the ideological, political and military support of a broad international network that extends well beyond its traditional Western allies.
“There is hardly a corner of the world untouched by Zionism as a political ideology,” she said, pointing to the role played not only by Western governments and private institutions but also by several Arab states and religious organizations that have helped normalize and disseminate the ideology internationally.
While acknowledging that Zionism has carried different meanings throughout its history, Albanese argued that its contemporary political expression had become inseparable from the ongoing destruction of Palestinian life. “I think we should all be able to agree on one point,” she said. “Today, more than ever, Zionism has become predicated upon the destruction of the Palestinian people and the seizure of what little remains of their homeland.”
Romana Rubeo is an Italian writer and the managing editor of The Palestine Chronicle. Her articles appeared in many online newspapers and academic journals. She holds a master’s degree in foreign Languages and Literature and specializes in audio-visual and journalism translation.
Code Pink
Medea Benjemin peace activist and co-founder of Code Pink which is “a grassroots feminist organisation working to end warfare and imperialism, support peace and human rights initiatives, and redirect resources into healthcare, education, green jobs and other life-affirming programmes.” She was in Ireland to participate in the conference and to speak at an event on Friday night. But the moment that Medea made it known that she had landed in Ireland on Tuesday 23rd June some of her friends invited her to Belfast. When Medea arrived in Belfast, she took part with local BDS activists. She writes “they are organizing supermarket boycott actions to identify and remove products linked to Israel’s occupation and apartheid. From Israeli potatoes and avocados to Sabra hummus and other goods, sustained community pressure has led some stores to stop stocking these products. Every product removed from the shelves is a reminder that collective action works. Join the movement for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions until Palestinians are free. Free Palestine”
Mothers Against Genocide (MAG) helped to organise the meeting on Thursday evening in Conway Mill where she spoke to a packed house. She provided vital information in response to the questions that Nuala McNally (MAG) asked about to Palestine, the Trump administration, Ukraine, Iran. Her analysis included the problems of Cuba and the US Blockade, the fact that US is a country whose industry is based on war related products, they make them, so they must be used. She spoke about Code Pink’s activity and how the activists are being hounded. She was very honest, and entertaining- if unhappy at times in view of the problems th world faces.
She got a very warm welcome at the meeting which considering it was called at short notice got a very good attendance.
The following morning, she joined with protesters outside the Royal Court of Justice to give support to Marie McNally who was arrested under the anti-terrorism act because she wore a a Palestine Action T shirt. Her course case was put back until November 2026.
Human rights activists have pointed to the anomaly of allowing flags of proscribed organisations to fly on the street of Northern Ireland and to murals on the gable walls in housing estates portraying and glorifying hooded terrorists, guns- proscribed-paramilitary. organisations. Compare that to the wearing of a Palestine Action T shirt.
Dublin
On Friday night in Dublin Medea spoke about Palestine, Cuba, Iran, and the US War Machine. This event organised by The Ditch-an independent radical news agency.
As well as taking part in the conference on Saturday and Sunday, she also joined pro-Palestinian activists in their opposition to the Ireland team playing football against Israel. Irish footballers, artists, and public figures have joined calls for UEFA and FIFA to suspend Israel from international competition. As Israel continues its genocide in Gaza, more people around the world are asking why sporting bodies continue to treat Israel as a normal participant while millions of Palestinians face bombardment, displacement, starvation, and occupation.
Prisoners Rights
She also took part in action with others; stating “we joined the campaign’s five demands for Palestine and called for the release of all Palestinian political prisoners. Thousands of Palestinians remain imprisoned under Israel’s occupation, where reports of torture, abuse, and denial of basic rights continue to emerge. Free Palestine.”
On Tuesday she spoke to a packed house welcomed her in in Sandinos in Derry
The events should send solidarity ripples across the globe. Ripples that will turn into waves of action and opposition to the anti-human Zionists and their supporters.