Jews for a Just Peace: The Danish-Jewish anti-Zionist group making waves for Palestine

In the heart of Copenhagen, a group of Danish Jews calling for peace and justice stands united at pro-Palestine protests. They wear black shirts with Danish text reading “Jøder for retfærdig fred”, translated as Jews for a Just Peace. For many Danish protestors, their presence brings a sense of inclusivity to the movement, reinforcing the message that calls for Palestinian solidarity are not anti-Semitic. This group’s mission is to redefine Jewish identity beyond the scope of Zionism and to foster solidarity with Palestinians.

The group, Jøder for retfærdig fred, comprises over 80 active members, representing roughly one per cent of Denmark’s Jewish population, estimated at around 6,000-7,000 people. They hold a strong anti-Zionist ideology, asserting that Zionism as a political stance should not be equated with Judaism. Through protests, hunger strikes and film screenings in Copenhagen’s cafes and galleries, they’ve made themselves a prominent voice for those who believe in a just and peaceful resolution for Palestinians.

“The organisation began as a support network for Danish Jews who felt ostracised by mainstream Jewish communities because of their anti-Zionist stance,” explained Joy Kummer, a leading figure in the movement. “We aim to uplift the Palestinian solidarity movement by being visibly Jewish at protests and reassuring others that they aren’t engaging in anti-Semitism. We’re Jewish, and we’re outraged by Israel’s actions.”

Marie Louise Jarsen, an independent journalist in Aarhus, has closely observed the rise of anti-Zionist Jewish activism in Denmark. According to Jarsen, this group has brought invaluable support to the Palestinian movement, directly challenging the prevalent narrative that equates pro-Palestinian advocacy with anti-Semitism.

While the Palestinian solidarity movement in Denmark gains strength from this Jewish camaraderie, it has also ignited a significant debate within Danish Jewry regarding synagogues’ stance on Israeli military operations in Gaza. Jøder for retfærdig fred openly critiques Denmark’s ultra-orthodox synagogue for its pro-Israel position, often feeling marginalised in Jewish communal spaces due to this ideological rift.

Aidan Frank, another member of Jøder for retfærdig fred, highlighted the tension within the community, noting: “An Orthodox synagogue in Copenhagen rebranded itself as The Jewish Community in Denmark, claiming to represent Danish Jews. But not all Jews are Orthodox, nor do they share the synagogue’s political alignment. They pray for the IDF during Shabbat services, which is a political statement. Other synagogues may have political opinions, but they don’t claim to speak for all Danish Jews.”

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Jarsen points out that all three major synagogues in Denmark either lean towards a Zionist perspective or openly support it, leaving anti-Zionist activists feeling isolated within their own religious community. Despite being a minority, Jøder for retfærdig fred’s efforts are gaining visibility and challenging long-standing norms.

In response to an open letter from the anti-Zionist group, The Jewish Community in Denmark suggested that they join the synagogue to initiate change from within. However, Jøder for retfærdig fred declined, citing an unbridgeable gap in their stance on Israel.

“In many ways, we feel spiritually homeless,” expressed Frank. “There’s no organisation that truly represents us. We feel unwelcome in official Jewish spaces because of our politics.”

This internal conflict within Danish Jewry hasn’t stopped Jøder for retfærdig fred from expanding its activism. Recently, the group launched a pan-European alliance called European Jews for Palestine, bringing together 19 organisations across Europe. The coalition aims to become the first anti-Zionist Jewish interest group on a European Union level, lobbying in the EU to decouple Judaism from Zionism.

“We’re a coalition of different Jewish groups, and we’ll be lobbying within the EU,” confirmed Kummer. “Our network is new, and we’re still laying the groundwork for our goals and approach.”

In the context of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Jøder for retfærdig fred emphasises the importance of separating Judaism from Zionism. The group argues that Zionists intentionally conflate the two to shield Zionism from critique.

“Zionists want people to equate Judaism with Zionism, so opposing Zionism becomes nearly impossible,” explained Frank during an online interview. “Judaism existed long before Zionism. Zionism, as a settler-colonial ideology, perpetuates inequality and violence, positioning Jewish Israelis above others in the region. Even countries like Lebanon aren’t safe from its expansionist aims.”

The group has worked tirelessly to change the discourse within the Jewish community, highlighting that anti-Zionism doesn’t equate to anti-Semitism. Their activism has granted credibility to the Palestinian solidarity movement, but it has come at a personal cost for some members who face backlash from their families and communities.

“Many of us have family members in these synagogues,” Kummer shared. “The ongoing conflict in Gaza has created deep rifts within our community. Some of our members have faced harsh criticism for their anti-Zionist views. This isn’t just an organisation-versus-organisation debate—it’s tearing families apart.”

Despite the internal divisions, Jøder for retfærdig fred remains steadfast in its principles, even if it doesn’t anticipate significant shifts in the official stances of Danish synagogues.

“Judaism has survived for millennia. Zionism, in comparison, is a recent ideology, dating back only 70-80 years,” said Frank, his voice tinged with emotion. “We’ll be here long after any political ideology, state, or project fades. Zionism may dominate the mainstream Jewish narrative today, but the next century could see a different future.”

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The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.