Zionist

Zionism is a nationalist and political movement that supports the re-establishment and ongoing development of a Jewish homeland in the historic land of Israel. It emerged in the late 19th century among European Jewry, with Theodor Herzl articulating the Basel program at the First Zionist Congress in 1897, which called for the creation of a publicly recognized Jewish state. Zionism is not identical to Judaism, and many Jews identify as non-Zionist or anti-Zionist.

In its early decades, Zionism pursued political advocacy, immigration, and settlement in Palestine under the Ottoman and later British Mandate. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 expressed international support for a Jewish homeland, and the League of Nations mandate facilitated Jewish immigration. In 1948, the State of Israel was established, becoming the central focus of Zionist goals and activity and shaping regional politics for decades to come.

Zionism comprises diverse currents, including political Zionism, cultural Zionism (Ahad Ha’am), religious Zionism, socialist Zionism (Labor Zionism), and Revisionist Zionism (Jabotinsky). It has been organized and promoted through institutions such as the World Zionist Organization and the Jewish Agency, which have historically guided immigration, settlement, and diplomatic efforts. The Law of Return (1950) affirmed Jewish eligibility to immigrate to Israel and acquire citizenship.

Contemporary discussions around Zionism emphasize questions of Jewish self-determination, security, and the rights and status of non-Jewish residents in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Critics argue about outcomes for Palestinians and the character of the state, while supporters view Zionism as essential to Jewish continuity and national self-determination. The term can be used differently in political discourse, and some Jews identify as anti-Zionist or non-Zionist, illustrating the movement’s internal diversity.