ICSZ supports the development of Critical Zionism Studies with resources for academics and activists. The Institute’s work includes fellowships, collaborations, conferences, and publications that expand the reach of research.
First Sources
ICSZ’s Engaging Sayegh workgroup shares prescient writing on Zionism not as a state project but a force, from Angelina Helou. Helou was a graduate student of Palestinian-Syrian philosopher and political thinker Fayez Sayegh at the American University of Beirut. This text, originally her Masters’ thesis, was completed in 1967. Angelina Helou, Palestine Research Center, 1969
Read Now
“Gaza is increasingly depicted as a lifeless ruin—a framing that is far from neutral. This commentary contends that ‘uninhabitable’ is a politically charged term… [It calls] for a radical shift in language from narratives that obscure violence to those affirming Palestinian presence, history, and sovereignty.”
Abdalrahman Kittana, Al-Shabaka Policy Network, Aug. 27, 2025
The Boomerang
As UC Berkeley turns over 160 names attached to “alleged antisemitic incidents,” using the repressive IHRA definition of antisemitism, scholar Judith Butler writes: “We were not allowed to know the substance of the allegation… Some of the allegations are anonymous… Will those of us on the list be branded by the government as “terrorist sympathizers”? Will our travel be restricted?… Students [are] exposed to abduction, deportation, termination of employment, expulsion…”
Judith Butler, Chronicle of Higher Ed, 9/13/25
Mini-Conference: Works in Progress in Critical Zionism Studies
Proposals due:
Oct. 26
Mini-conference online:
Dec. 5, 2025
Volunteer for the conference as a respondent!
info@criticalzionismstudies.org.
Resources for Anti-Zionist Study
Fall 2025
A guide to ICSZ’s growing collection of
research & teaching supports,
for campuses and communities.
Calls for Proposals & Participation
- Mini-Conference: Works in Progress in Critical Zionism Studies (Proposals: Oct 26, 2025)
- Propose events! Zionism as Racism: 50 years of Reso 3379 (Throughout 2025)
- Zionist Hate Mail Archive (Ongoing)
- Workgroup: Zionism & Race (Ongoing)
Zionist Smear as Weapon & Ideology
Collaborative research examining Zionist hate mail as a study of Zionist ideologies, and Zionist smear as a material weapon of fascism.
Documentation
& Study
Events on Smear & Hate Mail
Explore The Institute’s Projects
Office Hours & Speakers
Journal for the
Critical Study of Zionism
Launch: Journal for the Critical Study of Zionism
At the launch of the inaugural issue of the Journal for the Critical Study of Zionism (JCSZ),…
Clarifying our Principles: Zionism and Anti-Zionism
We see anti-Zionism being conflated with antisemitism, and then we also see a total watering down of…
Sayegh’s Critique of Zionism and the IHRA Definition: Notes Toward a Theory of the Antisemitism Industrial Complex
What exactly is the relationship between Zionism and antisemitism? In answering this question, our guide will be…
On Targeting an Arab Woman: Settler Colonial Outposts with Intent to Harm
…I refer to these pro-Zionist groups and their campaigns as settler colonial outposts: ideological formations, outposts that…
Keyword + Microsyllabus
The Antisemitism Industrial Complex (AIC): To identify a social structure or a system of power as an “industrial…
…and more
Unpacking Zionism
Podcast
Normalization with Reem Farah
This episode looks at the keyword “normalization” in conversation with independent writer and researcher Reem Farah. Our discussion draws…
Disarmament with Bikrum Gill
This week we bring listeners a rich and concise episode on “disarmament” as a keyword for the critical study…
Securitization with Nicole Nguyen
In this episode we’re with Dr. Nicole Nguyen to talk through securitization as a keyword for Critical Zionism Studies.…
Confronting Zionist Expansionism with Abdaljawad Omar, Natalie El-Eid, Jennifer Mogannam & Amira Jarmakani
This episode is a recording of a webinar on Confronting Zionist Expansionism. Moderators Jennifer Mogannam & Amira Jarmakani talk…
From Above: Secure Community Network (SCN)
Most of the organizations we’ve covered so far in this mini-series purport to represent Jewish communities’ opinions. But the…
Unpacking Zionism – July 2025 Update
Updates about our podcast: wrapping up “From Above,” announcing new mini-series, and inviting your feedback. Unpacking Zionism – July…
Events & resources
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