July 4, 2008

IN THIS SECTION:

Our Mission

Z Word is an online journal dedicated to exploring the moral, philosophical, political and historical issues arising from the conflicts in the Middle East, particularly - although not exclusively - as they relate to the issues of Zionism, anti-Zionism and antisemitism.

In recent years the public debate on issues relating to Zionism has become increasingly toxic. In too many universities, parliaments, elite policy forums, media outlets and religious conclaves, the complexity of the conflict is reduced to a single dimension. Z Word's purpose is to reclaim and refine that debate.

Our goal is not to carry on a safe conversation between those who passionately agree, but rather to engage seriously those who ascribe to any well-considered and unbigoted position on the subject matter. We will, however, not be a vehicle for those on the right or the left in a political match for which Z word's issues are merely a tool.

Our own point of view is clear: we reject the tendency to explain the entire Middle East region through the narrow prism of the Israeli-Palestinian (or Israeli-Arab) conflict. We reject the dogma which says Israel can do no right (or no wrong). Mostly, we insist that the debate be detailed and intelligent. It will be a difficult, enlightening, impassioned, enraging, and - we hope - transforming process.