Israel Without Group Rights

Basing Zionism on an ethnic 'right to self‑determination' is philosophically weak and politically brittle. A sturdier foundation for Israel’s legitimacy is ordinary statehood—effective control, recognition, and equal civic rights—rather than an ethnic claim that implies permanent demographic dominance. This reframing separates criticism of Zionism from blanket charges of antisemitism. — Shifting from metaphysical group rights to institutional legitimacy could defuse definitional wars and clarify what kinds of Israel criticism are bigotry versus normal political disagreement.