Plan B Is Extremely Dangerous: Benjamin Moser on Anti-Zionism

Before stepping into the writing of his book, Benjamin Moser knew that anti-Zionism was a tradition, but he had never heard of many of the individuals who contributed to it. He soon discovered that Zionism impacted more than just the number of Jews worldwide; it influenced the actions of nonwhite peoples as well. The book, titled Anti-Zionism: A Jewish History, is a deeply personal exploration of Jewish opposition to Zionism, spanning from the nineteenth century to the present.

This project holds special significance for Moser, as it reflects his own journey from a passive Zionist child in Houston to an adult anti-Zionist.

Moser began researching the book shortly after the October 7 terror attacks, working at an accelerated pace through reporting trips to South Africa, Germany, and Egypt. The book features a diverse range of portraits that span from a nineteenth-century rabbi to celebrated photographer Nan Goldin, showcasing that anti-Zionism has been and will continue to be an inclusive movement.

Epigraphs from lesser-known prophets and prophetesses in the Old Testament serve as a recurring theme throughout the book. These quotes emphasize the importance of adhering to laws and commandments, as failure to do so would result in divine punishment affecting the entire Jewish people. One such punishment mentioned in the prophets is the expulsion from the land, which has occurred multiple times in the Old Testament.

The function of repetition in the book includes phrases like "put away childish things," Biblical epithets like "stiff-necked people," and the fact that Israel has been the most dangerous country for Jews since 1945. Moser explains that these repetitions serve to remind readers of the consequences faced by the Jewish people when they deviate from their laws, as well as to underline the dangers of relying on Israel as a "plan B" for Jewish safety.