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Zionism is an extension of Western imperialism in the Holy Land: Historian

Prominent Palestinian American historian Ussama Makdisi underscores the paradox of European antisemitism contributing to sympathy for Zionism and explores how the Jewish Question influenced Western backing for the movement, citing the example of British Secretary Edwin Montagu's opposition to the Balfour Declaration.

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Firstly, the antisemitic persecutions in some European countries and pogroms in Russia created sympathy towards Zionism in the late 19th century, according to Makdisi. "And secondly, there was the paradox of European antisemitism that encouraged an aspect of colonial Zionism: moving the Jewish population out of Europe to Palestine appeared to resolve what was known as the Jewish Question," he said.