Zionism Overview Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Zionism Overview - Essay Example The essay "Zionism Overview" talks about the Zionism in terms of today and historical events and the importance of the Zionism for today Jews and the government of Israel. Zion is the biblical term used for Jerusalem as well as the Land of Israel. Jews have yearned to return to Zion ever since their exile from Zion almost 2000 years ago. This learning is embedded in the literature, rituals, culture, and prayers of the Jews. Contemporary Zionism evolved during the late half of the 19th century as a result of anti-Semitism in the Western Europe and Jews’ violent persecution in the Eastern Europe. â€Å"Modern Zionism fused the ancient Jewish biblical and historical ties to the ancestral homeland with the modern concept of nationalism into a vision of establishing a modern Jewish state in the land of Israel†. Theodor Herzl is the pioneer of modern Zionism. He consolidated the different aspects of Zionism into a structured political movement, thus drawing global attention toward the establishment of a Jewish state and motivating Jews to migrate to the land from all over the world. The way he saw Zionism reflects in this statement, â€Å"I believe that Zionism will not cease to be our ideal even after we come to settle in the land of our forefathers in Eretz Israel, for within the Zionist idea is contained the aspiration to moral and spiritual perfection†. Today, several decades have passed since the establishment of the Jewish state and Zionism serves as the leading nationalist movement for most of the Jews all over the world.