The rebirth of Israel, 76 years after its modern founding in 1948 by David Ben-Gurion, is marred by opposition from anti-Zionists seeking its destruction. These opponents, including antisemites and anti-Israel activists on American college campuses, are working to turn the Mideast’s only democracy into a pariah state, utilizing anti-Zionist rhetoric to undermine the Jewish state. Despite negative connotations associated with Zionism today, it is seen as a philosophy rooted in both biblical passages and modern thought. Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern Zionism, envisioned the creation of a new Jewish state over a century ago, which has since become a reality.
Zionism is deeply rooted in religious beliefs and history, with its importance explained by Ze’ev Orenstein, the director of international affairs for the City of David Foundation in Jerusalem. The return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland, dating back thousands of years to Biblical times, represents a continuity in faith, language, traditions, and practices. The foundational biblical passage from Amos 9:14-15 underscores the restoration of Israel from captivity and the firm planting of the Jewish people in their land, never to be uprooted again. This transition from the Bible to the modern state of Israel signifies the Jewish people’s return to sovereignty and control over their destiny.
Critics of Zionism, including anti-Zionists and the U.N., face accusations of stoking antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiment. The U.N.’s resolution equating Zionism with racism in 1975, driven by Soviet and Arab influences, was later overturned in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union and its allies. Israeli legal scholar Eugene Kontorovich argues that opposition to Zionism denies Jews the right to their national independence, a sentiment rooted in centuries of antisemitism. He highlights Zionism as the national independence movement of the Jewish people, granting them a home and statehood in their ancestral homeland, similar to other ethnic groups’ claims to national identity.
The modern antisemitism intertwined with anti-Zionism reflects a rebranding of age-old prejudices against the Jewish people. Kontorovich asserts that the global opposition to Zionism is unique to Jews and their establishment of a sovereign state, raising questions about the underlying motivations behind anti-Zionist rhetoric. Many Jews around the world, with ties to Israel and a longing for their Biblical homeland, find solace in the idea of a Jewish state as a symbol of self-determination and cultural preservation. The historical and religious significance of Zionism serves as a beacon of hope and resilience for the Jewish people in the face of adversity.
The yearning for a return to the Biblical homeland is a shared sentiment among Jews, capturing the essence of their collective identity and heritage. Psalm 126, with its depiction of the restoration of Zion and the joy felt by the Jewish people upon returning home, encapsulates the emotional and spiritual connection to the land of Israel. Despite ongoing challenges and opposition, the resilience and determination of the Jewish people to thrive in their homeland stand as a testament to the enduring legacy of Zionism and the modern state of Israel. The dream of a sovereign and flourishing Jewish state, rooted in historical foundations and religious beliefs, continues to inspire and unite Jewish communities worldwide.
