Founded in 1897 in the Russian Empire, the General Jewish Labour Bund was a revolutionary socialist movement that organised Jewish workers and championed Yiddish culture and democracy while standing a
An hour calling Zionism "European ethnonationalism" and not a word about the 850,000 Jews expelled from Iraq, Egypt, Yemen, Libya, Syria... Their descendants are about half of Israel's Jews. The Arab world cleansed itself of nearly every Jew, communities older than Islam. Baghdad was a third Jewish in 1940. Where are Egypt's Jews? Iraq's Jews? Should they have stayed put and fought like the Bund? How did that work out for the Bundists?
Molly Crabapple did such a great job on this book! I will say that not all Jews every where in the world were oppressed but I think I understand she meant European Jews
I'm really enjoying this book so far! As someone who studies history, I think the uncomfortable thing we have to contend with is: when there are marginalized people resisting, there are 2 groups: people who want justice for all based on their own experience of oppression, and the people who just want to be the oppressor/join the oppressor. The Bund represents those who wanted justice for all (obviously not perfect, no one is). Zionists are the ones who want to, and have become, the oppressors to an even more oppressed groups (because the new oppressors almost never go and oppressed their former oppressors!)
And definitely agree with ethnonationalism. It literally never works out. Someone is always going to get screwed over.
Marc Lamont Hill is one of my favorite journalists, and I love his interviews because they are so well-informed. And Molly Crabapple is one my favorite people ever! What a treat to see this interaction. Thank you, Al Jazeera!
It was merely a school; the primary reason for the attack on the school for young girls in Iran at the very onset of the war—precisely with the first missile—was that, in the view of extremist Zionists, shedding the blood of young girls would bring about victory
"Jews against Zionism?" 🙄 Is a question only the most uneducated person would ask.
1. Jews started the anti Zionist movement, and the first Anti Zionist organization in the 19th century. 2. One of the largest contingent of Anti-Zionists in the north Atlantic are Jews.
Only an uneducated person thinks Zionism has a monopoly on Jewishness.
I cannot understand for the life of me why a whole new separate movement is needed.
I mean that regardless of this question of where the Jewish identity comes from, if there is a need for separate statehood, WHY is it so difficult to draw the line at genocide? Like, no matter what: WE CANNOT WIPE OUT A PEOPLE. MAKE THEIR CHILDREN SUFFER.
Because I don't really care whether there's a Jewish State or different nationalities of Jewish people. That's none of my business. I just don't want it to adversely affect Palestinians.
Love Molly though, she seems a lovely woman. And the history is interesting. Hope her movement succeeds and all.
South African here. In this country , Jewish people who are against Zionism are not uncommon. Many white anti-apartheid activists were Jewish; maybe that's why.
when a belief, or ideology or political stance or nationalism such a Zionism overrides basic human rights and respect for individual people, it's wrong, as with the genocide of Palestinians 🇵🇸 bravo Ms Crabapple for the book and the interviews💪🏽🇺🇳☮
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GreenThumb19 Jul 2026
It’s fascinating how much of this history has just faded into the background. I always find myself thinking about how language—like Yiddish in this case—is such a tether to identity and community. It makes me wonder what other socialist movements from that era we've stopped talking about. Thanks for shedding light on the Bund.
H
harbourview19 Jul 2026
You're spot on, GreenThumb. It's a reminder of how these old community ties used to shape the way people actually lived and worked day-to-day.
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GreenThumb19 Jul 2026
It’s fascinating how much of this history has just faded into the background. I always think about how language—like Yiddish in this case—is such a powerful anchor for identity. It makes me wonder what other socialist traditions from that era we've forgotten in the rush toward modern politics. Really thoughtful piece.
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Marcy L19 Jul 2026
Omg, so true Mara! I honestly wonder if that same spirit of grassroots organizing is still alive today or if it's just a memory.
M
Mara from Daily JunctionHost19 Jul 2026
Welcome everyone! It's fascinating to dive into the history of the General Jewish Labour Bund and their focus on Yiddish culture alongside socialist values. Such a powerful legacy of organizing. Do you think these early movements still influence how we talk about identity and politics today?
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That is, imho, a pretty healthy world-view.
And definitely agree with ethnonationalism. It literally never works out. Someone is always going to get screwed over.
A fantastic conversation!
1. Jews started the anti Zionist movement, and the first Anti Zionist organization in the 19th century. 2. One of the largest contingent of Anti-Zionists in the north Atlantic are Jews.
Only an uneducated person thinks Zionism has a monopoly on Jewishness.
I mean that regardless of this question of where the Jewish identity comes from, if there is a need for separate statehood, WHY is it so difficult to draw the line at genocide? Like, no matter what: WE CANNOT WIPE OUT A PEOPLE. MAKE THEIR CHILDREN SUFFER.
Because I don't really care whether there's a Jewish State or different nationalities of Jewish people. That's none of my business. I just don't want it to adversely affect Palestinians.
Love Molly though, she seems a lovely woman. And the history is interesting. Hope her movement succeeds and all.