The Z-word – Why is it so Hated?

Exploring biblical, historical and contemporary attitudes to Zionism

Zionism If there is one word that sparks so much controversy, anger, and even hatred among certain social, ethnic and religious groups, it is the Z-word – Zionism. That hatred extends to anything to do with Zionism, and especially any person associated with it – particularly Jewish people. Indeed, the very concept of Zionism is greatly reviled.

Just consider news from the UK within the past week: Green Party activists have said Zionism should be treated as a form of 'racist ideology'. Meanwhile even self-confessed atheist and secular Jewish comedian Matt Lucas was harassed and branded a ‘Zionist’ by a pro-Palestinian activist on the London Underground. But why is the concept of Zionism so despised?

Zionism and the UN

Fifty years ago, in November 1975, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 3379 that equated Zionism with Racism. It determined that “Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination.” Its purpose was to try to undermine and delegitimise the State of Israel. Of course, like everything else intended to demonise the Jewish State, it was solely based on a series of lies.

Even though Resolution 3379 was revoked in 1991 following pressure from the United States, the false accusation that Zionism is an apartheid and colonial enterprise engaging in the genocide of the people known as ‘the Palestinians’ persists to this day. Moreover, it has escalated into rampant anti-Semitism across the Western world following the Hamas atrocities of 7^th October 2023. Every week on our city streets we have heard the chants “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free” – a phrase straight out of Article 15 of the Palestinian National Charter of 1968 – which calls for “the eradication of Zionism in Palestine” – i.e. the destruction of the Jewish state.

Return to Jerusalem

It is important for Christians to understand that Zionism runs much deeper than its political application. It is both a central part of Judaism – i.e. the Jewish faith – and intrinsic to the Jewish heart and soul, and has been ever since biblical times. One very graphic and well-known illustration is found in Psalm 137, which was composed during the Babylonian exile:

“By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept when we remembered Zion … for there those who carried us away captive asked of us a song. How shall we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land? If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget its skill!” (excerpts from verses 1 to 5). There are many other examples as well.

Every week on our city streets we have heard the chants “From the River to the Sea, Palestine will be free”

Following the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70AD, when most Jews were exiled from the Land of Israel, many religiously observant Jews began to recite the Amidah Prayer daily – and continue to do so. This prayer includes a petition to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to enable them to return to Jerusalem, to rebuild it, and to dwell there. It beseeches the Lord to regather His people Israel from the four corners of the earth and bring them back into their own land. The Amidah Prayer, which is based upon the Hebrew Scriptures and other Rabbinical writings, has been prayed by Jewish people for thousands of years – and in recent times is being answered as we see the modern miracle of Israel being restored as prophesied in the Tanakh (Old Testament).

Affectionate Zion

Whenever the name Zion appears in the Hebrew Scriptures, it is used affectionately, passionately, intimately. The Tanakh refers to Zion in three ways. Firstly, Jerusalem is identified as Zion:

The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
Glorious things are spoken of you, O City of God! (Psalm 87:2)

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in His holy mountain. Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north,
the city of the great King. (Psalm 48: 1 & 2)

The Amidah Prayer includes a petition to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to enable them to return to Jerusalem, to rebuild it, and to dwell there.

Secondly, the Land of Israel is referred to as Zion. Isaiah says:

“The Lord will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places;
And make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord.” (Isaiah 51:3)

This, of course, is a prophecy we are seeing fulfilled in our generation.

Thirdly, the Lord Himself identifies the Jewish people as Zion:

“I have covered you with the shadow of My hand, that I may plant the heavens,
lay the foundations of the earth, and say to Zion, ‘You are my people.’” (Isaiah 51:16)

Thus, the God of Israel has created a Divine unity between the city of Jerusalem, the Land of Israel and the Jewish people. While many secular and non-religious Jews may reject this idea, there are many religious Jews who would identify this as part of their faith. So, this brings us to the question: Why is the Z-word – and anyone and anything to do with it – so hated?

Christian denial

I would suggest that the Creator of Zion – the City, the Land and the people – i.e. the God of Israel, is, in reality, the object of this satanic hatred. Quite simply, humankind as a whole is in rebellion against Him, and anything He loves, humans often hate. The Amidah Prayer actually acknowledges this fact, and pleads for God’s mercy and forgiveness.

Some Christians even despise the restoration of Zion and slander it as evil.

Of course, Christians also recognise that we all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s expectations, and we recognise that we can be forgiven through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross. Forgiveness and resurrection to eternal life are at the very heart of Christian belief. But what about Zionism and God’s purposes for the restoration of the Jewish people to their ancient homeland, which we are witnessing before our eyes? Sadly, there are many Christians who are in denial of this fact. Some even despise the restoration of Zion and slander it as evil.

It is the ‘Christian’ haters of Zion I want to challenge. If we hate something that is close to the heart of God, we are on a very slippery slope. In Psalm 132 we learn that ‘The Lord has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place: “This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell for I have desired it.”’ (Psalm 132: 13 & 14). God is effectively telling us that He has chosen Zion as His throne-room.

Psalm 2

Psalm 2 endorses this further. It includes a fascinating dialogue between God the Father and His Son, who Christians understand to be Jesus: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me and I will give you the nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for your possession.’” (Psalm 2:6-8)

It is well worth reading the opening verses of this Psalm, because it puts this momentous declaration quoted above in its context. The first five verses talk about the nations raging against the Lord God and His Messiah and wanting to destroy Zion. Isn’t this a picture of what is happening today? The Lord also says that He will have those nations in derision and vent His anger against them.

The Lord also says that He will have those nations in derision and vent His anger against them.

Spiritual assault

Does this not point to what is really behind this irrational hatred of the ‘Zionist’ word, as well as everything and everyone associated with it? Is it not an assault by the spiritual forces of darkness against the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – and His declaration that He has chosen Zion for His dwelling place?

The goal of this assault manifests itself in the hatred of the Jewish people, the Jewish state and the desire to exterminate them, and render the purposes of God null and void.

Jewish people can take comfort in the fact that God has promised that that will never happen (see Jeremiah 31:35-37). The fact that they have survived thus far through the most horrendous attempts to destroy them through history is testimony to that.

Am Yisrael Chai!

(image c/o Howie Mischel)

Hugh Kitson, 20/02/2026

Feedback:

	Peter (Guest)	09/03/2026 19:17
Steve Maltz's recent book "Why Us?" sub-titled "The Jewish Question" speaks helpfully into this whole question of deranged and demonic anti-Semitism. Recommended.
	Charles Gardner (Guest)	04/03/2026 20:13
Praise the Lord for your ongoing challenges on this front, Hugh. Totally with you on all points. And wishing you every blessing as you settle Down Under. In Yeshua's name, Charles.
	Thomas Dallyn (Guest)	27/02/2026 14:24
Israel has always been a Jewish state, with Jewish leadership reflecting its role as a homeland after centuries of diaspora and thier has always been a Jewish prescense. The idea of “Palestine” and the two-state proposals came from British decisions, but Israel’s existence was not a colonial project—it emerged from the Jewish people returning to their historic land. Many Jews from Arab countries, over 50% of Israel’s population, migrated there after facing persecution. While the creation of Israel led to Arab displacement, much of the conflict is rooted in religion and competing national identities, not colonial ambitions.
	Michael Petek	27/02/2026 13:08
I have to correct Jock Stein on a point or two. Barrister and international law expert has observed that there is a rule of international law known as uti possidetis juris. It is a default rule that dictates - absent an agreement to different effect - that the boundaries of a colony, mandate territory, or member territory of a federal state become the boundaries of any state that succeeds it as it emerges to independence. The rule was applied to every non-self-governing territory that became independent after World War 2, and also to the states that emerged from the federations of Yugoslavia, the USSR, and Czechoslovakia. It also applies to the State of Israel. The lawful boundaries of Israel at 14/15 May 1948 are the same as those of Mandate Palestine. Thus, the invasion of Israel by Arab states and the occupation of territory by Jordan and Egypt amounted to a war of aggression. In international law, a situation brought about by aggression may not be recognised as lawful. A few years later the representatives of the Arabs living under Jordanian rule declared their allegiance to the King of Jordan and were given Jordanian citizenship. They thereby forfeited any legitimate claim to determine the political status of any territory outside the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
	Charlene (Guest)	24/02/2026 11:15
Excellent article Hugh. The hatred, the lies the propaganda are definitely inspired by Satan. Not to mention the terrorism and desire to slaughter Jews and in Nigeria etc Christians. Unfortunately too many Christians are too quick to listen to lies and libels and adhere to social justice rather than Biblical Authority.
	Trevor Griffiths (Guest)	24/02/2026 11:05
If Hugh reads this, please would he let us know how to purchase his outstanding documentary - The Forsaken Promise - in the UK. For me, it is still a critical watch if you want to understand the main reason why the UK finds itself in such serious decline on so many fronts. Thank you.
	John Shipton (Guest)	22/02/2026 01:37
As far as it is understood, the land of Canaan was given to the Hebrews mentioned many times in the Old Testament but apparently not worth mentioning in the institutionalised church to avoid contention and acceptance. Replacement theology is now the modern way in explaining away the existence of the nation of Israel, while Islam blames the Middle East crisis on the Jewish nation, together with left-wing ideology which is rampant in quoting explanations behind Zionism with the result being anti Semitic in appearance. Whatever the arguments on the anti Zionist approach to whom controls what, and wants Zionism to be eradicated from the face of the earth, the Book of Revelation reveals Almighty God's intentions, vision, and prophecy on the New Jerusalem envisage. Praise the Lord!
	Jock Stein (Guest)	21/02/2026 10:13
My concern is with what Hugh Kitson leaves out. The Palestinian people have been badly served by the PLA, the PA and of course Hamas, but they have been treated far worse by the State of Israel, in spite of their ability to quote isolated instances where they have (for example) given Palestinians good hospital care. Hugh quotes Jeremiah - but what would that prophet be saying to the Israeli government today in the light of their complicity in murder and land theft, over many years and in contradiction to the 1948 Constitution? That is what 'Zionism' means in practice, however biblical it seems in theory, and that is why so many people oppose it who are not anti-semitic in the least. Read for example 'The Truth Shall Set You Free' (Hawakati Publishing 2023), written by Jonathan Kuttab, a Christian devoted to non-violence.
	Rowland Roderick	20/02/2026 12:47
Thankyou Hugh. An excellent article. Zion is mentioned 163 times in the Bible. There's a book called 'Jerusalem, Zion, Israel and the Nations' by Ruth Ward Heflin, that can be downloaded in pdf format from the link below ( free). https://www.calvarycampground.org/wp-content/uploads/glorybooks/Jerusalem.pdf This lists all the Bible verses containing Jerusalem, Zion and Israel. It is an excellent resource when praying for Israel etc.