Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism

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

“To engage Fayez Sayegh’s thought is to enter a different paradigm in which ‘racism’ and ‘anti-racism’ cannot be thought outside the constellation of initiatives including incursions against monopolized supply chains and the fortification of national security initiatives against colonial and imperial subjugation.”
John Harfouch, Liberated Texts, November 10, 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.



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

Learn about the Hate Mail Archive

Events on Smear & Hate Mail

View Past and Future Events


Fall 2024 Vol.1, Issue 1

Keyword + Microsyllabus

The Antisemitism Industrial Complex (AIC): To identify a social structure or a system of power as an “industrial…

…and more

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…


Events & resources

Browse selected resources here, or explore by category using the “Our Work” menu above


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People @ the Institute for the Critical Study of Zionism.

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