About Zionism

Zionism is a political movement that supports a homeland for Jews in the Land of Israel with its capital in Jerusalem. The movement was formally established by Theodor Herzl in the 19th century. The international movement was eventually successful in establishing the State of Israel in 1948. It continues primarily as ideological support for the state and government of Israel. Although Zionism is partially based on religious tradition linking people of all Jewish Orientations to the Land of Israel, the modern movement was mainly secular, beginning largely as a response by European Jewry to antisemitism across Europe.

According to Zionism, it is the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future to ensure a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel. It was Zionism that brought about the State of Israel's establishment.

The principles of Zionism in respect to Israel are: the unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland of Israel, and the centrality of the State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation ; aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli Society; strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the diversity of people in Israel.

All Zionists agree on the set of ideals and principles known as the Jerusalem Program. The Jerusalem Program was adopted in 1951 at the 23rd World Zionist Congress and revised by the 27th Zionist Congress in 1968. It was most recently revised at the meeting of the Zionist General Council in June 2004 in Jerusalem.