Page 20 - Issue 28

THE RELEVANCE OF ZIONISM TODAY.
“…the formation of viable spiritual bonds, the
deepening of mutual identity and translating it into
concrete acts – that is the task of Zionism today.
That is what Herzl meant when he said that even
after the establishment of the State, the Zionist
Congress will go on.”
Yaakov Herzog, 1921-1972 (Israel’s ambassador to Canada,
younger brother of Chaim Herzog, sixth President of Israel,
1960, on the occasion of the 100 anniversary of Herzl’s birth.
th

Two complementary dynamics, POLITICAL ZIONISM and
CULTURAL ZIONISM led to the emergence of Zionism
from the end of the 19 Century to the present.
th

Both POLITICAL and CULTURAL ZIONISM are based on
the assumption that the Jews are a PEOPLE with a
common national identity, whether in Israel or in the
Diaspora. That identity stems from a common past
narrative and history – a common collective memory. Our
national identity sets us apart from other peoples in the
present and will continue to do so in the future.

The assumption that "we are one people" negates the
definition of the Jews as a race or religion. It also assumes
an essential unity of the Jewish people in Israel and in the
Diaspora.
"Whatever our geographical or economical
differences may be, it is my absolute conviction
that the oneness of our people is of an ontological*
nature. Whoever chooses one against the others,
cannot be defined as truly Jewish. Whoever attempts
to oppose Israel to the Diaspora, or vice-versa,
inevitably will betray both in the end."
*Ontological = an essential part of being.
Elie Wiesel, "Two Images, One Destiny",
Jewish Agency Assembly, Jerusalem, June 1974.