Is Zionism a death cult? For this special mid-season episode, host of Little Death podcast, Dvorah Silverman, delves into the manipulative mechanics of Zionism across time, the resistance movements that have always existed in parallel and how modern Zionism has shaped our present-day (distorted) realities. Employing Michael Langone’s 3Ds of cult dynamics - Deception, Dependence and Dread - Dvorah breaks down Zionism's persuasive recruitment tactics, insidious control of information and the repercussions of leaving for those who dare to question.

To illuminate the “exceptional” case of Israel, Dvorah shares their journey of unraveling the cultishness of Zionism, the cracks in the ingrained narratives that led them to anti-Zionist movements and the surfacing guilt and shame in the cult recovery process. Ultimately, Dvorah stresses the criticalness in finding belonging amidst anti-Zionist communities and relationships through cross-cultural solidarities in order to begin to heal and combat the cult of Zionism for a Free Palestine within our lifetimes.

Episode Sources:

⁠What is Zionism?⁠

⁠More than a century on: The Balfour Declaration explained | Al Jazeera⁠

⁠Khaled Hourani: The Story of the Watermelon⁠

⁠Israelism Documentary⁠

⁠What Does Israel Fear From Palestine? By Raja Shehadeh⁠

⁠Cult Dynamics 101⁠⁠–⁠⁠ Conspirituality⁠

⁠“Deception, Dependence, and Dread” By Michael Langone⁠

⁠Doppelganger – Naomi Klein⁠

⁠Israel Projects 2009 Global Language Dictionary⁠