"Shhhhhhh...Zionism"

My previous post brings me to another point, which is the demonization of the word Zionism. Not just the word, of course, but the concept of the state of Israel as a homeland for the Jewish people. "Zionism is Racism" conferences, Zionism = Apartheid, etc, etc. Most of us have heard it all before. When I broach the topic of religion with Egyptians (which does not happen that often), and especially friends and colleagues in Middle East studies or in my program, we end up talking about Zionism. Let me just give you a quick example. A European friend I met in Egypt, upon finding out what my religion is, literally took a step back and said, "wait, are you a Zionist?"