What Is Zionism?

REAL FACTORS CAUSING REPEATED FAILURES OF NEGOTIATED ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THE ARAB-
ISRAELI CONFLICT
1. Palestinians do not accept the existence of Israel.
2. The selfish mentality of the Palestinian leadership. Palestinian leaders

seem to be interested in proving their "merit" by destroying Israel than
in gaining a better life for their people. True leaders must be ready to
make concessions to ensure a better life for their people.
3. the international community's naive belief that less radical Palestinians

are “moderates.”
4. the Palestinian leadership prefers to live — and to make their

population live — in delusions rather than in reality.
5. the Palestinians of Gaza who elected Hamas have not had to pay the
price for their choice.
6. inhibiting progress has been insufficient use by Israel of negative

consequences, perhaps in part because their American and European
"allies" would balk at such tactics.
Zionism
Zionism is a religious and political effort that brought thousands of Jews from
around the world back to their ancient homeland in the Middle East and
reestablished Israel as the central location for Jewish identity. While some
critics call Zionism an aggressive and discriminatory ideology, the Zionist
movement has successfully established a Jewish homeland in the nation of
Israel.
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WHAT IS ZIONISM?
Simply put, Zionism is a movement to recreate a Jewish presence in Israel.
The name comes from the word “Zion,” which is a Hebrew term that refers to
Jerusalem.
Throughout history, Jews have considered certain areas in Israel sacred—as
do Christians and Muslims. The Torah, the Jewish religious text, depicts
stories of ancient prophets who were instructed by their God to return to this
homeland.
While the fundamental philosophies of the Zionist movement have existed for
hundreds of years, modern Zionism formally took root in the late 19th century.
Around that time, Jews throughout the world faced growing anti-Semitism.
Some historians believe that an increasingly tense atmosphere between Jews

and Europeans may have triggered the Zionism movement. In one 1894
incident, a Jewish officer in the French army named Alfred Dreyfus was falsely
accused and convicted of treason. This event, which became known as the
“Dreyfus Affair,” sparked outrage among Jewish people and many others.
Persecuted Jews who were struggling to salvage their identity began

promoting the idea of returning to their homeland and restoring a Jewish
culture there.
THEODOR HERZL
Modern Zionism was officially established as a political organization
by Theodor Herzl in 1897. A Jewish journalist and political activist from
Austria, Herzl believed that the Jewish population couldn’t survive if it didn’t
have a nation of its own.
After the Dreyfus Affair, Herzl wrote Der Judenstaat (The Jewish State), a
pamphlet that called for political recognition of a Jewish homeland in the area
then known as Palestine.
In 1897, Herzl organized the First Zionist Congress, which met in Basel,
Switzerland. He also formed and became the first president of the World
Zionist Organization.
Although Herzl died in 1904—years before Israel was officially declared a

state—he’s often considered the father of modern Zionism.
THE CURRENT STATE OF ZIONISM

Since it started more than 120 years ago, Zionism has evolved, and different
ideologies—political, religious and cultural—within the Zionist movement have
emerged.
Many self-proclaimed Zionists disagree with each other about fundamental

principles. Some followers of Zionism are devoutly religious while others are
more secular.
“Zionist lefts” typically want a less-religious government and support giving up

some Israeli-controlled land in exchange for peace with Arab nations. “Zionist
rights” defend their rights to land and prefer a government based strongly on
Jewish religious traditions.
Advocates of the Zionist movement see it as an important effort to offer refuge

to persecuted minorities and reestablish settlements in Israel. Critics,
however, say it’s an extreme ideology that discriminates against non-Jews.
For example, under Israel’s 1950 Law of Return, Jews born anywhere in the
world have the right to become an Israeli citizen, while other people aren’t
granted this privilege.
Arabs and Palestinians living in and around Israel typically oppose Zionism.
Many international Jews also disapprove of the movement because they don’t
believe a national homeland is essential to their religion.
While this controversial movement continues to face criticism and challenges,

there’s no denying that Zionism has successfully bolstered the Jewish
population in Israel

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REAL FACTORS CAUSING REPEATED FAILURES OF NEGOTIATED ATTEMPTS TO SOLVE THE ARAB-

1. Palestinians do not accept the existence of Israel.

2. The selfish mentality of the Palestinian leadership. Palestinian leaders

3. the international community's naive belief that less radical Palestinians

4. the Palestinian leadership prefers to live — and to make their

6. inhibiting progress has been insufficient use by Israel of negative

Some historians believe that an increasingly tense atmosphere between Jews

Persecuted Jews who were struggling to salvage their identity began

Although Herzl died in 1904—years before Israel was officially declared a

THE CURRENT STATE OF ZIONISM

Many self-proclaimed Zionists disagree with each other about fundamental

“Zionist lefts” typically want a less-religious government and support giving up

Advocates of the Zionist movement see it as an important effort to offer refuge

While this controversial movement continues to face criticism and challenges,

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