A brief history of Zionism

KFAR SAVA, Israel — According to britannica.com, nationalism is, “… an ideology based on the premise that the individual’s loyalty and devotion to the nation-state surpass other individual or group interests … it [is] one of the great, if not the greatest, single determining factors of modern history.”

Zionism, the need of the Jewish people to return to its original (not usurped or occupied) land is out of favor today because of post-modern “sensibilities.” Our history must begin with the fact that the Jews are the indigenous population of Israel. Yes, there were peoples on the land before the Hebrews conquered it 3,500 years ago: the Hittites, Girgashites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites, and the Philistines. But these peoples assimilated or scattered to the winds and are lost to history.

The Jews had numerous kingdoms in Israel, beginning with Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, about 3,000 BCE (Before Common Era). After King Solomon’s death, the kingdom was split in two, a Northern Kingdom of Israel and a Southern Kingdom of Judah. Ever since the defeat of Judah in 586 BCE by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar and the removal of many (but not all) Jews to Babylon, Jews have prayed three times a day to return to Zion (Jerusalem).

In 140 BCE, the Hasmonean (Maccabees from the Hanukah story) dynasty was founded after a successful revolt against the Greeks, who wanted to wipe out Judaism. But the Hasmonean kings eventually became Roman puppets. Centuries later, in 135 CE, the Romans defeated the then-rebellious Jews and expelled the majority (but not all) of the Jewish population. For good measure and to erase the Jewish imprint on the land, the Romans renamed it Syria Palaestina.

The “Age of Nationalism” dawned in the 18-19th centuries. Although he had many precursors, it was Theodor Herzl who made Zionism a political force. In 1897, the inspired Viennese journalist and author convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland with the aim of taking practical steps to establish the Jewish state. He led the Zionist Organization for seven years until his death in 1904 at age 44, after famously predicting: “…at Basel I have founded the Jewish state.  If I said this out loud today, I would be answered by universal laughter.  Perhaps in five years and certainly in fifty everyone would recognize this.”

Israel’s independence was one of many events during the 20th century resulting from the fall of  European empires in the aftermath of the two world wars. Following WWI, Poland, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Estonia emerged as new states after the breakup of the Ottoman, Habsburg, and German empires. Herzl’s prediction came true for Israel in 1948, when it gained independence from Britain – as did Egypt (1922), Iraq (1932), and Jordan (1946). Lebanon (1943) and Syria (1946) gained their independence from France, and on other continents, many more countries became independent.

Theodor Herzl’s vision and the subsequent Israel Declaration of Independence, declare that: BY VIRTUE OF OUR NATURAL AND HISTORIC RIGHT AND ON THE STRENGTH OF THE RESOLUTION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY, HEREBY DECLARE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A JEWISH STATE IN ERETZ – ISRAEL, TO BE KNOWN AS THE STATE OF ISRAEL. (capitals in the original English version)

It further states: THE STATE OF ISRAEL will be open for Jewish immigration and for the Ingathering of the Exiles; it will foster the development of the country for the benefit of all its inhabitants; it will be based on freedom, justice and peace as envisaged by the prophets of Israel; it will ensure complete equality of social and political rights to all its inhabitants irrespective of religion, race or sex; it will guarantee freedom of religion, conscience, language, education and culture; it will safeguard the Holy Places of all religions; and it will be faithful to the principles of the Charter of the United Nations.

Unlike the Arab countries’ nationalistic success in gaining independence, Israel’s national status was challenged from before it even achieved statehood – in the very forum that had accepted it as an independent country. “The United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3379, adopted on 10 November 1975 by a vote of 72 to 35 [with 32 abstentions], determine[d] that Zionism is a form of racism and racial discrimination”. (wikipedia.org) The resolution was revoked in 1991, but it might pass again if brought up in the UN General Assembly. Israel, unlike any other country which celebrates its uniqueness is vilified for doing so.

The factors which make Israel the Jewish State, as enunciated in its Declaration of Independence, in no way deprive Israel’s non-Jewish citizens (about 25% of the population) of any rights; rather it guarantees them. Yet, there has been a heated reaction to Israel’s new Nation-State law, which anchors the “Jewishness” of Israel in a fundamental Basic Law. Freedom, justice, peace and equality weren’t mentioned because they were already covered in the Basic Law: Human Dignity and Liberty (1992). The adverse reactions to the Nation-State law came quickly from the Arabs. However, even Israeli left wing Zionists and American Jewish liberals joined in by terming the law “non-democratic.”.

There is a growing global trend of anti-nationalism, begging the question, what is wrong with nationalism? Many people proclaim nationalism as the genesis of strife and war while others blame religion. Post-modernists declare “diversity,” not nationalism, as the modern credo.

“What’s wrong with tribes?” my wife Michal asked. Jews are a tribe, both a people and a religion. Arabs divide into tribes as their most significant identity. Greeks are proud of their nation no matter where they live, the Irish retain ties to Ireland despite a large diaspora, the “off-shore” Chinese retain their identity in other countries around Asia, etc. Nationalism is understandable. To name just one example, most French want France to remain “French.” Diversity is fine, but it’s not the ultimate value.

Vic Rosenthal, in his Abu Yehuda blog, states the case very well:

“Today in Western Europe and liberal/progressive circles in the US, nationalism and ethnic particularism are anathema. Nationalist movements are often labeled racist or fascist. National borders are considered unfair limitations on the human spirit. The natural desire of ethnic and religious groups to live together is suppressed in favor of diversity, even if this results in more interpersonal conflict. Actions to increase ethnic homogeneity are labeled ‘ethnic cleansing’ and ‘apartheid.’ Israel’s concern is to maintain its Jewish majority and culture …”

Though certain circles might not admit it, Judaism without Zion would be deprived of its essence. As was the case in pre-WWII Germany, the highly assimilated “Germans of the Mosaic Persuasion” were doomed, though they were too blind to see it coming. The success story of Jewish Americans would most likely end if Israel disappeared.

There is no Judaism without Zion, the homeland of the Jews since Joshua led the Hebrews across the Jordan River 3,500 years ago. Nationalism isn’t the bogeyman.

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Kramer is a freelance writer based in Kfar Sava.  He may be contacted via steve.kramer@sdjewishworld.com