VISION Movement

Last updated

VISION
Leader Rabbi Yehuda HaKohen
Ideology Hebrew Universalism
Sternism
One-state solution
Settler interests
Palestinian interests
Anti-Western influence
Website
https://visionmovement.org

The VISION movement is a Hebrew Universalist political movement founded by American-born Israeli rabbi, West Bank settler, and Jewish Defense League veteran, Yehuda HaKohen. [1] [2]

Contents

The movement supports the Jewish resettlement of Gaza, [3] a one-state solution, working with Palestinian groups, like Hamas, to simultaneously pursue both Jewish and Palestinian Arab liberation, the Palestinian right of return, [4] [5] and opposes American influence in Israeli politics. [6] [7] [8]

Ideology

Hebrew Universalism

Hebrew Universalism is a Jewish cultural, religious, and political philosophy which synthesizes aspects of Zionism, Haredi non-Zionism, and humanism. [9] Members believe Zionism failed to fully fulfill Jewish liberation and recognize the early Zionists utilized European-style settler-colonial tactics to establish the State of Israel, leading to the Nakba. [10]

Decolonization

A primary goal of the movement is to push towards the decolonization of the Jewish people and the entirety of the Middle East. [11]

In its 2020 World Zionist Congress platform, the group stated:

The Jewish people constitutes a proud ancient civilization with a unique culture, worldview, traditions and homeland. But as a result of our displacement and many centuries of oppression, several aspects of our identity have been stolen from us or diluted to the point of becoming barely recognizable. Every people that experiences liberation must subsequently engage in a postcolonial conversation. VISION promotes conversations aimed at decolonizing Jewish identity as a necessary component of rebuilding Hebrew civilization in the modern age. [12]

Canaanism, specifically the Canaanism espoused by the Semitic Action group, has heavily influenced the movement as well. Rav HaKohen reformed Semitic Action in 2011 and the group regularly contributes to VISION's online magazine. [13]

Lehi thought

Lehi paramilitary members, such as Avraham Stern, Nathan Yellin-Mor, Yitzhak Shamir, and Israel Eldad have influenced the movement greatly. [14] [15] [16]

The Lehi separated from the Zionist movement in 1944 and created a uniquely Hebrew form of National Bolshevism. [17]

Members and supporters

See also

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References

  1. Hakohen, Rav Yehuda (2024-02-01). "Yitro: Israel's Universal Mission" . Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  2. Haber, Maya. "A 'New Zionist Vision' or deception?". Partners For Progressive Israel. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  3. Podcast, The Next Stage (2023-10-12). "Take Back Gaza! (with Shai Hershel) | VISION | The Next Stage Podcast". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  4. Magazine, Vision (2018-12-12). "Elkin Links Israeli Sovereignty to Responsibility for Palestinian Needs". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  5. Brodsky, Adam (2023-03-02). "A Stark Choice | VISION Magazine | Adam Brodsky |". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  6. "The Bizarre Rise of the Manhattan Prep School Gangster Turned Enigmatic West Bank Rabbi". The Daily Beast. 2020-12-24. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  7. "For This Israeli Settler, Zionism Isn't Nearly Radical Enough". The Forward. 2017-05-02. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  8. "Israel at War #3: Israel and its Relations to the United States | Rabbi Yehuda Hakohen". Machon Meir English Department. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  9. Dosetareh, Eliott (8 August 202). "Hebrew Universalism: The Future Vision of Rav Kook" (PDF). Straus Scholars Program Thesis: Yeshiva University (1): 4–6.
  10. Swindell, Daniel. "The Blogs: Zionism Is Not Colonialism". blogs.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  11. Muskat, Sam (2020-01-23). "Vision Movement to Revolutionize the World Zionist Congress". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  12. "VISION Movement Slate" (PDF). American Zionist Movement.
  13. "Semitic Action, Author at VISION". VISION. 2024-11-19. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  14. Podcast, The Next Stage (2021-02-11). "Natan Yellin-Mor's Revolutionary Legacy with the Visionaries". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  15. Grady, Danit (2021-02-09). "A Sternist Analysis of the Palestinian National Movement". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  16. Podcast, The Next Stage (2019-11-28). "Stern & His Gang (With Z'ev Golan) | VISION Magazine". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  17. Abadi, Jacob (1996-11-01). "Joseph Heller. The Stern Gang: Ideology, Politics and Terror, 1940-1949. London: Frank Cass, 1995". Journal of Conflict Studies. ISSN   1715-5673.
  18. Podcast, The Next Stage (2020-04-02). "A New Vision for Hebrew Liberation with Rudy Rochman". VISION. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  19. "Antwan Saca". Seeds of Peace. Retrieved 2024-12-05.