Zionism is both a political ideology and a nationalist movement, that promotes the resettlement and protection of Jewish people in Palestinian territories, at the expense of native Palestinians, in what is now modern day Israel. The roots of this movement lead us back to 1897 to Theodor Herzl, who established this ideology as a political organisation, and then this was later led by Chaim Weizmann.

One may wonder: how then is this political ideology so intrinsically linked to – and, in many ways, responsible for – Islamophobia in modern times? This can be better understood when we look closely at opponents of Islam and Muslims in recent times here in the UK, the damage they have and are causing, and particularly their links to Zionism.

The interconnectedness of these figures provides an important glimpse into how this industry thrives off of promoting Islamophobia – the scapegoating of Islam and Muslims for other ideologies’ failings – throughout the Western world, but also throughout the wider world. Thus the links between these two – Islamophobia and Zionism – becomes blatant and clear.

Our first example, Tommy Robinson, is a well-known Islamophobe whose attempts to defame Islam and Muslims are oft-occurring and intentionally malicious. He’s backed and funded by Robert Shillman, a senior member and key figure of The Friends of the Israel Defence Forces and the David Horowitz Freedom Center. This brings into question why an American political figure, such as Samuel Brownbeck, would threaten to have Trump vocalise criticism of Robinson’s imprisonment. Brownbeck’s support and allegiance to the Israeli National Union/ National Religious Party Alliance – an open proponent of the annexation and ethnic cleansing of all Palestinians from the West Bank – clarifies his sinister links within the Islamophobia industry.

Katie Hopkins is another well-known Islamophobe and a Shillman Fellow of the David Horowitz Freedom Center. Tommy Robinson is also backed by Middle East Forum who were heavily involved in his release from imprisonment.

Whether individuals and organisations like these were Islamophobes or Zionists first is very much an unnecessary ‘chicken or egg’ argument: what matters is that both perspectives are clearly mutually supportive.

Having thus made the connections between these backers and supporters of Zionism as a political movement and ideology, it can be seen that the strengthening of Zionism has strengthened the anti-Muslim and anti-Islam sentiment throughout the world. Hence, defeating the injustice of Zionism is a priority for Muslims and necessary for the advancement for our causes as Muslims.

If one wants to help defeat the cancer of Zionism, there are a number of ways in which this can be done. Staying informed and educated is one of the crucial bricks in the advancement in helping defeat this ideology. Adding into this, by attending events – online or in person – will further enable us as Muslims to stay educated and involved in this wider process. Then there is also following academics who are knowledgeable in this cause, such as Professor Ilan Pappe, or even further studying this yourself. Activism and involvement in becoming active in this or even following activists such as Stanley Cohen – an attorney for Hamas members – will also enable an individual to stay involved in this cause and further advance this cause collectively. In addition to this, another important step is to follow independent media and journalists – on the ground in Palestine or even in the halls of power will ensure that you’re engaged in this process of defeating Zionism and ridding this cancerous threat to Islam and Muslims. Moreover, using your voice and skills in any way shape or form to raise awareness is the key message here.

The key objective that all of our efforts must lead to, however, is the unseating of Zionist politicians. By supporting Israel’s injustices, they seek to benefit from Zionism’s entrenched link to Islamophobia by scapegoating Muslims and Islam for societal ills that their own policies engender, and then utilising the increased Islamophobia to defend Israel’s inhumane actions against Palestine.

Dear Muslims, we cannot defeat Islamophobia without defeating the injustice that is Zionism. If you choose to ignore Zionism, you choose to make the world a more dangerous place for your children and for every Muslim who comes after you. The future generations of Muslims have that right upon us, that we do whatever is within our capabilities to make the world a safer place to be a Muslim.

Become involved, join MPACUK, and understand our collective duty as Muslims to defend ourselves against these continual attacks. There are those who use their voices to attack vilify Palestine, Islam and Muslims; and there are those who use our voices to defend ourselves from these injustices.

Staying silent is not an option.