Dear
Readers,
These columns began on my area of America Online, called: Judaism
Today: Where Do I Fit? People anonymously
sent me E-Mail, and I began to choose one for a public response
in my Jewish E-Mail of the Week column. The column has become
quite popular and is now syndicated internationally in many
Jewish papers and websites. I hope you find they help you
as you think about the Ethics, Spirituality and Peoplehood
components of the Jewish way of Life. I welcome your
comments... see the end of the column.
Gil
PS
Teachers and others, feel free to copy my columns and forward
them or use them as you see fit. Please see the friendly
copyright notice at the end. |
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WHAT IS ZIONISM ANYWAY?
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Dear
Gil:
I am a Christian and support Israel from my perspective of Biblical
history, personal experiences in Israel and what I read in Israeli and
international media. I'm perplexed by why some in the Orthodox or
Ultra-Orthodox community are extremely anti-Zionist. I hope you
can help clarify the following for me:
What is your definition of Zionism?
How does Zionism compare with patriotism?
Why are some Israelis so opposed to Zionism?
In search of understanding,
P
Shalom P:
Your questions are most appropriate given the current situation in
Israel. I know that your questions are shared by others and
deserve clarification.
The definition of Zionism is simple: Zionism is the movement to
support a homeland for the Jewish people.
The movement began in the mid to late 1800s as a result of the vicious
anti-Semitism of Europe. The pivotal leader was a non-religious
Jewish journalist named Theodor Herzl. A turning point for Herzl
occurred when he covered the trial a French Army officer, Alfred Dreyfus
who was falsely convicted of treason. (He was later pardoned.) The
biased trial greatly disturbed Herzl. He concluded that the
anti-Semitism of France and Europe was so deeply ingrained and
widespread that the only hope for Jews to live in safety was if they had
their own state. (Sadly, I suspect, Herzl would not be surprised
to see today's anti-Semitism in France and other places in Europe.)
The word Zionism comes from the word Zion -- a reference to Jerusalem,
the city of King David. Jews longed and prayed for a return to
Zion for 2000 years and some are Zionists for religious and Biblical
reasons. In spite of this, early Zionists were so desperate for a
safe haven for Jews, that locations other than the land of ancient
Israel were considered, (like Uganda!) A number of options were
pursued and in 1917 the British issued the famous Balfour Declaration
stating that "His Majesty's Government" viewed with favor the
establishment of a Jewish homeland in the area that today is Israel and
was then a British Mandate.
Ultimately, in 1948, the establishment of the state of Israel became the
fulfillment of the Zionist dream to have a Jewish homeland. Since
then millions of Jews from all over the world have immigrated to Israel.
Many were Holocaust survivors and W.W.II refugees; many others fled
anti-Semitism in their home country that Zionism anticipated and was
formed to address. Many people do not realize that about 600,000
Jews who immigrated to Israel were refugees who were forced to flee --
often empty handed -- from Arab countries where they were persecuted.
A quick but important aside: Israel is the only country in the
world where Judaism is the official state religion. Yet many other
religions are freely practiced in Israel. I'll never forget being
in Israel one December and seeing an ad in the paper for Christians to
receive free Christmas trees from the Israeli government!
Notwithstanding, Israel is primarily a Jewish State, so I think you can
safely say that to be a Zionist is in a sense being a patriot to the
Jewish State. The highest level of dedication or patriotism would
probably be to live in Israel, but a person does need not live in
Israel to be a Zionist or in favor of a Jewish State. Nor does a
person need to be Jewish to be a Zionist. In fact many non-Jews
(like you) are supportive of the state of Israel and I think they could
consider themselves to be Zionists.
While there are many non-Jews who are supportive of Israel, there is a
tiny fringe group of Jews who are anti-Zionists. These Jews are
religious fundamentalists who object to the establishment of Israel from
a theological point of view. They believe, that according to
Jewish tradition, God will establish a Jewish State to coincide with the
coming of the Messiah. Since the Messiah has not arrived, they believe
Israel is an artificial work of man, not God.
This group represents very few people, but enemies of the state of
Israel love to "parade" these oddball Jews out during
anti-Israel demonstrations. Almost all Jews, from very religious
to secular strongly disagree with these anti-Israel Jews.
Including me, because I definitely consider myself to be a Zionist.
I'll add a personal note in closing, that as a Zionist, I pray for a
day, when the Jewish State has warm relations with all nations, her Arab
neighbors and a peaceful, prosperous future Palestinian State.
Thanks for writing!
Gil
A FRIENDLY COPYRIGHT NOTICE
© Copyright Gil Mann
These columns can be found at www.beingjewish.org. Not
only do I give you permissions to copy these Jewish Email
columns...I HOPE YOU WILL and that you share them with others!
All I ask is that you never charge anyone for them and that you
also include this little copyright notice. Thank You!
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