From Zionist to Critic: Psychiatrist's Israel Experience Fuels Condemnation of Violence

French Psychiatrist Denounces Zionism After Living in Israel: 'Violence at an Incredible Level' Paris, France – In a powerful statement made during an anti-war demonstration outside the Israeli embassy in Paris on May 26, 2025, French psychiatrist and author Gerard Haddad denounced Zionism as a form of "nationalist violence." Haddad's testimony carries significant weight, given his past identification as a Zionist and his three-year residency in Israel. "For a long time, I was a Zionist," Haddad stated, his voice filled with a mix of conviction and regret. "I lived there [Israel] for three years. All the dreams I had, all my fantasies of an ideal, fraternal society, collapsed." His experience, he explained, was profoundly shaped by the level of violence he witnessed. "The violence there is at an incredible level," he emphasized. Haddad’s shift in perspective highlights the complex and often contradictory realities within Israel. His words provide a crucial counterpoint to more commonly heard narratives and underscore the need for nuanced discussions about the ongoing conflict. His experience serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political ideologies and the importance of critical self-reflection.