Zionism as Colonialism: A Comparative View of Diluted Colonialism in Asia and Africa

Abstract

This essay compares the Zionist movement with other settler colonialist movements in Palestine and West Africa. The historical context, the formative years, the ideological infrastructure, the symbolic world, and activities on the ground are examined in three cases: the Zionist movement, the Templers' movement, and the Basel Mission. Particular focus is given to the relationship with a mother country or metropole in order to find out how unique the Zionist case study was in the history of colonialism. The comparative approach validates the need to further examine Zionism as a settler colonialist phenomenon, despite its unique origins and chronological timing. This scholarly orientation was shunned for many years and was not properly attempted due to ideological considerations. This essay is an addendum to the important recent attempts by a few critical Israeli sociologists to introduce the paradigm of colonialism into the study of Israel and Zionism.