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, and I know your questions are shared by others and deserve clarification. T

he 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 vicious anti-Semitism in Europe. The pivotal leader was a non-religious Jewish journalist named Theodor Herzl. 

A turning point for Herzl occurred when he covered the trial of Alfred Dreyfus, a French Army officer falsely convicted of treason and later pardoned. The biased trial greatly disturbed Herzl and afterward he concluded that the anti-Semitism of France and Europe was so deeply ingrained and widespread that the only hope for Jews to live safely 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. Although Herzl was not religious, there are some who believe in Zionism for religious or 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 World War II refugees; others fled anti-Semitism in their home countries. Zionism anticipated this need and the State of Israel was formed to address it. A fact that is often overlooked is 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! 

Freedom of religion 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 to live in Israel to be a Zionist or be 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 Zionists. 

While many non-Jews are supportive of Israel, a tiny fringe group of Jews 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 out these atypical Jews during anti-Israel demonstrations. Almost all Jews, from very religious to secular, strongly disagree with these anti-Israel Jews. 

Personally, I definitely consider myself to be a Zionist. One fact sums up why: In the last year, as Israel has endured terror and crisis, over 40,000 Jews from all over the world immigrated to her shores.This level of aliyah (immigration) at a time when tourists won’t even visit Israel, speaks to the value and importance of a place Jews can always call home. 

Turn to Help Israel Now to find a list of things you can do to help Israel.

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