Moshé Machover is an internationally renowned mathematician, philosopher, and political activist. Born into a Jewish family in Tel Aviv (then Mandatory Palestine), he is one of the leading figures in providing a profound theoretical critique of Zionism in the contemporary era.
Machover is a Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at King’s College London, having made significant contributions to the fields of mathematical logic and set theory. His academic body of work has widely influenced the understanding of the foundations of mathematics. However, his political contributions are equally significant: in 1962, he co-founded Matzpen (the Socialist Organization in Israel), the first radical left-wing organization in Israeli history to explicitly challenge Zionist premises and advocate for Arab-Jewish working-class solidarity. His theoretical essays have been translated into numerous languages, serving as a vital reference for anti-colonial and anti-apartheid narratives worldwide.
Machover is a resolute anti-Zionist who defines Israel as a “settler-colonial state.” He has long advocated for a resolution to the conflict through the establishment of a single democratic state covering all of Palestine, ensuring equal rights for all ethnic groups. He gained widespread attention (and eventual vindication) following controversy within the UK Labour Party over his articles critiquing Zionism. One of his most influential assertions is: “Without recognizing the inherently colonial logic of Zionism, one cannot truly understand Palestinian suffering, nor find a path toward lasting peace.”