Dorothy Thompson’s Second Awakening: Activism on Behalf of Palestine (1939-1961)

Abstract

This thesis focuses on Dorothy Thompson's intellectual and professional trajectory from her strong support of Zionism, to becoming one of its most vocal critics. It argues that, contrary to many assertations at the time, Thompson did not oppose Zionism because she was anti-Semitic; her support for Arab Palestinians and her opposition to Zionism was, in fact, an ideological continuity driven by her concern for human rights and the plight of refugees, be they Jewish or Arab. This thesis contributes to the existing literature on Thompson’s life and the American anti-Zionist movement, which has often been granted only superficial coverage in the secondary literature. By examining Thompson’s activism and the resulting backlash, this thesis highlights the difficulties that arose when journalists challenged the dominant American discourse on Zionism.