CMV: Anti-zionism is not ant-semitism, and calling it so is honestly offensive and wrong.

Hey guys, I'm a Jew. <br><br>I'm secular, and was raised in the USA (let that one sink in for a moment). I'm currently in my mid-20s, so I'm not sure if this is just a millennial thing, a USA-centric issue, or if I'm just not used to the rest of the world's political nuance...<br><br>However, other than a few pockets of sanity, I've noticed that people tend to conflate anti-zionism with anti-semitism. And I am honestly not sure why. For the sake of clarity, I am not zionist. I don't believe that Israel should be a Jewish state (it should be a secular, freecountry state).<br><br>I would love to live in Israel, I honestly would. I currently live in the USA, and I am honestly not happy here. I find the people to be rude, arrogant, and conceded. At this point in my life, I've visited Israel more than most Israelis. I have family there, I've lived there briefly for period of time for school or work, I volunteer there, I've lived on a kibbutz, etc. <br><br>I love Israel, I love the people, and I currently consider it home. I don't think I'll be leaving anytime soon. <br><br>However, I am not currently an Israeli citizen. I do not believe that I, a member of the tribe of Judah, should have special rights or privaleges. I am a white, middle-class, secular Jew. I have had a privaledged life, I understand that. I am not entitled to free land; I am not entitled to special treatment at the expense of others.<br><br>I had honestly never even heard of anti-zionism as a Jew within my community until I got to university. I honestly didn't understand how other people could be Jew, and not be zionist. I had honestly never heard of zionism other than something that was directed towards Jews.<br><br>I guess now I'm wondering why other people also can't tell the difference between anti-Semitism and anti-zionism. Anti-zionism doesn't have to be anti-Semitic, and ant-semitism doesn't have to be anti-zionist. My grandparents (who are holocaust survivors) can't tell the difference between the two. (Sorry if that's too long winded).<br><br>TL;DR: Can someone explain why anti-zionism is automatically anti-Semitism?<br><br>EDIT: I would like to make it obvious that I am not a troll, I am currently in contact with the mods. I have had a few other CMV posts in the past (none of which got much attention). I understand that my lack of karma and activity may be confusing, but most of my activity is in other chambers under different accounts.<br><br>EDIT 2: If you feel the need to point out that<br><br>A) I am not a real Jew <br><br>B) I hate Israel (I don't)<br><br>C) I am secretly anti-Semitic<br><br>D) You are going to insult me<br><br>E) Israel is not an apartheid state<br><br>then you can kindly fuck off. I've had enough of this negativity.