Israel: Religious Mythology and Settler Colonialism

John Clarke

Toronto

7-23-26

 

Herzog's claim to be a proven descendant of King David is completely absurd. He has a name that originated in Europe and any cursory check will show that the existence of David is debatable. Just as significantly, the historical role this king is supposed to have played is unsupported by any evidence outside of the scriptures. Indeed, Herzog's own claim is based on rabbinical writings.

This use of religious myth as if it were serious historical evidence is something that the Zionist movement and the Israeli educational system has concentrated on to a huge degree. Moreover, while Herzog's claim would be met with hoots of derision throughout the Global South, such has been the level of support for the Zionist political ideology in the West that he is taken seriously when he lets fly with this nonsense.

 

Such irrationality isn't the unique preserve of Zionism and its colonial project of course. All forms of settler-colonialism have based themselves on a claim (often divinely mandated) to take someone else's land on the basis of alleged superiority. The co-option of religious tradition created particular notions of return to a God given homeland but these ideas aren't fundamentally different to those used to justify dispossession in other places, including Canada.

 

It is inherently futile to debate religious ideas and, if the groundless belief that he is descended from a mythical ancient King who worked closely with the Supreme Being gets Herzog out of bed in the morning, good luck to him. 

 

The problem arises when such ideas are put into effect at the expense of others. Herzog's role in the Gaza Genocide and the broader dispossession of the Palestinians show very clearly that he has crossed this line with terrible results.

 

The issue, then, isn't to focus on refuting the distorted and mythical elements of the Zionist ideology but to directly challenge the ethnic cleansing, apartheid and genocide that have resulted from their application. We need to take into our efforts to end Western sponsorship and material support that is so essential for Israel, a clear opposition to the criminal injustices that have arisen when this ideology has been put into practice.