The results of the debates in Toronto: anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism – two sides of the same coin
On June 17, in the Canadian city of Toronto, the Munk Debates took place, known for their intellectual approach to pressing social issues. This time the topic of the debates was whether anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism.
The outcome of the debates is determined by the change in opinions among the audience, who vote before and after the discussion.
British writer Douglas Murray and international law expert Natasha Hausdorff argued that anti-Zionism is a form of anti-Semitism. They were opposed by Gideon Levy, a journalist from the Israeli newspaper “Haaretz”, and former MSNBC host Mehdi Hasan, who argued against this statement.
Douglas Murray stated in the debates: “Jews are accused regardless of their actions. They are criticized for wealth and poverty, integration and isolation, the lack of a national state and its presence. Today, anti-Zionism is the only acceptable form of anti-Semitism.”
According to a survey of the audience after the debates, it was found that the arguments of the supporters of Israel influenced opinions: 5% of the audience, who previously did not consider anti-Zionism to be anti-Semitism, changed their opinion in favor of Murray and Hausdorff’s arguments.
