Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, who sought to restore their freedom and independence in their ancestral homeland in the Land of Israel. Like other indigenous rights movements, Zionism affirms the right of a people to self-determination in their historical territory. The term originated from “Zion,” one of the biblical names for Jerusalem, reflecting the movement’s connection to Jewish historical, cultural, and religious ties to the land.[1]
The Jewish people trace its ancestry back to the Land of Israel. And though they were dispossessed through successive imperial conquests, always maintained a connection to its historic homeland. Archaeological evidence, historical records, and continuous Jewish presence in the region for over 3,000 years document this connection. Throughout diaspora existence, Jews faced persecution in nearly every land they inhabited, from medieval expulsions and massacres to modern pogroms and the Holocaust, while maintaining ritual practices, prayers, and traditions centered around the return to Jerusalem.[2]
The term Zionism was coined in 1890 to refer to the desire of Jews to create a sovereign homeland in the Land of Israel. In 1896, the First Zionist Congress formalized Zionism as a political goal. The formal political movement emerged as a response to persistent antisemitism in Europe, which demonstrated that Jewish minorities remained vulnerable even in supposedly enlightened societies. Theodor Herzl, a secular journalist who had witnessed virulent antisemitism while covering the Dreyfus Affair in France, concluded that Jews needed a state of their own to ensure their survival and dignity as a people.[3]
Leading up to 1948, Zionism referred to the support of the Jewish community to establish a sovereign state in the Land of Israel. When that goal was accomplished in 1948, Zionism began to refer to the support of the existence and legitimacy of the State of Israel. Importantly, Zionism encompasses diverse political perspectives, from socialist to religious, liberal to conservative. Zionists have varied opinions on borders, settlements, relations with Palestinians, and many other issues. What unites them is simply the belief in Israel’s right to exist as the Jewish homeland, not any specific policy position.[4]
It references thousands of years of yearning to return home, to the indigenous homeland of the Jewish people. This yearning was expressed in daily prayers, lifecycle events, and literature throughout Jewish history. The famous phrase “Next year in Jerusalem,” recited at the conclusion of Passover seders and Yom Kippur services for centuries, exemplifies this enduring connection.[5]
Understanding Zionism is essential for recognizing antisemitism in contemporary discourse. The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism specifically identifies “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination” as a form of antisemitism. While criticism of specific Israeli policies is legitimate, just as criticism of any country’s policies is legitimate, delegitimizing Israel’s very existence or holding it to standards not applied to any other nation often crosses into antisemitic territory.[6]
Anti-Zionism – the opposition to Jewish self-determination specifically – often employs classic antisemitic tropes while claiming to be merely “political criticism.” These include conspiracy theories about Jewish/Zionist power, the use of blood libel imagery in portraying Israelis, and holding all Jews collectively responsible for actions of Israel. When someone opposes only Jewish national self-determination while supporting it for other peoples, this double standard reveals antisemitic bias, whether conscious or unconscious.[7]
In the aftermath of October 7, 2023, when Hamas terrorists massacred over 1,200 Israelis, understanding Zionism has become even more critical. The attack and subsequent global reactions demonstrated why many Jews feel that Israel’s existence remains essential for Jewish security and survival in a world where antisemitism continues to surge. For most Jews worldwide, Zionism represents not an extremist ideology but a basic affirmation of their people’s right to exist safely in their ancestral homeland.[8]
Sources
[1] Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs, “The Historical and Legal Basis for Jewish National Rights in the Land of Israel,” 2023. This analysis traces the etymology of “Zion” and its connection to Jewish historical presence in Jerusalem.
[2] Israel Antiquities Authority, “Archaeological Evidence of Jewish Continuity in the Land of Israel,” 2022. This scientific research documents the continuous archaeological evidence of Jewish presence in the region over three millennia.
[3] Theodor Herzl, “Der Judenstaat” (The Jewish State), 1896. This foundational text of political Zionism outlines Herzl’s conclusion that antisemitism made a Jewish state necessary for survival.
[4] Anita Shapira, “Israel: A History,” 2012. This comprehensive historical work documents the diverse ideological streams within Zionism from its inception to the present day.
[5] Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, “The Centrality of Israel in Jewish Identity,” 2018. This scholarly analysis examines how connection to Israel was maintained through Jewish liturgy and practice throughout diaspora existence.
[6] International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, “Working Definition of Antisemitism,” 2016. The IHRA definition specifically identifies “denying the Jewish people their right to self-determination” as a form of antisemitism.
[7] Anti-Defamation League, “Anti-Zionism as a Mask for Antisemitism,” 2023. This research documents how classic antisemitic tropes are frequently employed in anti-Zionist rhetoric and activism.
[8] Pew Research Center, “Jewish Americans and Their Connection to Israel,” 2024. This survey research demonstrates that for the majority of Jews worldwide, support for Israel’s existence remains a core component of Jewish identity, especially following the October 7 attacks.