The Rabbi, The Imam and The Power of Dialogue4 Juni 2025

Why the word Zionism connects some and divides us all

Zionism is a deeply complex and contested word, which acts as idea, a movement and a label.

For many Jews Zionism represents the fulfilment of a centuries-old longing for self-determination, safety, and a homeland in Israel.

It has served as a unifying force, giving a sense of purpose, identity, and collective belonging. For these people, Zionism is a source of pride and connection—spiritually, culturally, and historically.

At the same time, Zionism is a source of profound division—between Jews and non-Jews, Israelis and Palestinians, and even within Jewish and broader communities.

Its association with nationalism, the founding of the State of Israel, and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict makes it a flashpoint for political, religious, and ethical debates.

For Palestinians and many others, Zionism is linked to displacement, loss, and ongoing struggle, while for some Jews it has come to mean different things depending on their relationship to Israel and diaspora life.

In this episode The Rabbi and The Imam discuss the origin of the word Zionism, how its meaning has evolved through the centuries - from its ancient religious roots to modern political manifestations - and what it means to both of them today.

On this journey Nasser explains why his upbringing initially made him an anti-Zionist, Dovid tries to distinguish between religious and political zionists, and both discuss how the idea of Zionism has been weaponised by all sides in this conflict.

Links to topics mentioned in the show

Roots

This is a Mark Schweiger and Larchmont Productions co-production.

If you have any comments or suggestions about the podcast please email: mark@schweigers.uk or philip@larchmontfilms.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Det här avsnittet är hämtat från ett öppet RSS-flöde och publiceras inte av Podme. Det kan innehålla reklam.

Avsnitt(14)

Andy Burnham's First Test as UK Prime Minister?

Andy Burnham is now the latest Prime Minister of the UK, but just before he was anointed first he apologised in a TikTok video about Labour's stance on Gaza and then in an interview with Gary Lineker....

31 Juli 41min

The Rabbi and The Imam Live at London's JW3

In this special live recording from JW3 in London, Rabbi Dovid Lewis and Imam Nasser Kurdy sit down for a raw, honest, and deeply moving conversation about what it actually takes to build a bridge acr...

22 Maj 1h 13min

What does the Quran Actually Says About Jews? A Rabbi and an Imam Break It Down

In the last episode Imam Nasser Kurdy and Rabbi Dovid Lewis discussed a specific ‘Hadith,’ a narration cited by extremists that suggests Muslims and Jews are destined to be enemies. The response from ...

29 Mars 28min

Can a Rabbi and an Imam Ever Be True Friends?

When a newspaper article about the Rabbi and the Imam's interfaith work and friendship went public, most of the response was positive.But buried in the Facebook comments was something darker: a strang...

13 Mars 48min

Policing Protests and Hate Crime in Manchester: The Chief Constable Unfiltered

In this exclusive episode, Chief Constable Sir Stephen Watson of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) joins Rabbi Dovid Lewis and Imam Nasser Kurdy to discuss the major way in how UK forces are policing pr...

27 Feb 50min

Big News: Why the King Honoured This Imam

A mysterious letter arrived at the end of last year New Year with huge news from the King. In this special episode, we reveal why Imam Nasser was awarded an MBE and what this recognition means for the...

23 Jan 15min

The Bondi Beach Attack: Finding Light in the Darkness

Recorded on Monday 15th December - 1st day of Chanukah Rabbi Dovid Lewis and Imam Nasser Kurdy respond to the anti-semitic terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Australia on Sunday 14th December, which c...

16 Dec 202534min

The Terror, The Tears and The Hope

After a short break Imam Nasser Kurdy and Rabbi Dovid Lewis are back for a brand new series. From their time off‑air, they’ve plenty to talk about and reflect on: from the terror attack on Manchester’...

27 Nov 202536min