Progressive feminists exclude Jewish women, spread antisemitism
Progressive feminism increasingly excludes Jewish women, falsely linking Zionism to oppression and spreading antisemitic conspiracy theories. This erodes feminism’s core principles, as Jewish feminist
Feminism is failing Jewish women. A growing movement within progressive feminism now openly excludes Jewish voices, links Zionism to oppression, and t
Read Full Story at Religion News Service →Why This Matters
The erosion of feminism’s universalist foundations for the sake of ideological purity reveals a dangerous precedent. When liberation movements abandon the principle that oppression cannot be instrumentalized against any group, they hollow out their own moral authority and risk becoming complicit in the very hierarchies they claim to dismantle. This trend forces a reckoning with whether progressive feminism can still claim to represent all women—or if it will become another factionalized identity project.
Background Context
Antisemitic tropes have long circulated in left-wing spaces, often disguised as anti-Zionism or critiques of Israeli policy. But the modern feminist embrace of these narratives marks a shift, as intersectional theory—once a tool for inclusion—is now weaponized to exclude Jewish women. This mirrors historical patterns where marginalized groups, once advocating for justice, internalize oppressive myths when their own grievances are prioritized over collective liberation.
What Happens Next
If left unchecked, this trend could fracture feminist coalitions, pushing Jewish women out of progressive spaces or forcing them to choose between their identity and their politics. Watch for whether mainstream feminist organizations issue explicit condemnations of antisemitism or if they continue to tolerate its presence under the guise of political expediency. The outcome may determine whether feminism remains a movement of solidarity or devolves into a cycle of exclusion.
Bigger Picture
This phenomenon reflects a broader crisis of universalism in progressive movements, where the pursuit of justice is increasingly conditional on ideological conformity. As feminism grapples with its own contradictions, it risks mirroring the very systems it seeks to dismantle—prioritizing power over principle and division over solidarity. The stakes extend beyond gender politics, signaling a potential unraveling of shared frameworks for liberation.
