Why we even still using this word? It made sense prior to the establishment of the state of Israel, but now how is Israel any different than all the rest of the countries in the world, most of which were established after Israel?
Nobody today talks about Pakistanism or Croatiaism or Eritreaism or… the list goes on and on and on.
I’m not Jewish and have no personal stake in this, but it’s head scratchingly annoying to watch Israel be the only country on the planet who has to continually explain and justify its existence.
It’s not about our existence. There’s no comparison as something like Zionism doesn’t exist with some of the countries you mentioned. Zionism a movement yes but equally it’s an integral part of our soul and identity. And that’s what haters are trying to erase. They erase the meaning of the word and what it means to us and in a few generations, what else do they try to erase. Think about it.
I agree and Israelis (and everyone, really) should be proud Zionists. My point was simply that no other country/people in the world has to have a word that justifies their right to live in their ancestral homeland.
It’s the constant double standards that only ever apply to Israel.
You have hit on the crux of the matter: “the only country on the planet who has to continually explain and justify its existence.” The question of why is its own answer - because Jews. The rest, as our ancient sage Hillel said, is “commentary”.
It really is the most bizarre mind virus ever to infect the human species. If even 1/10th of the Jewish conspiracies were true, you guys would make the Avengers look like a bunch of cosplaying powerless pussies. 😂
Well just look at what an amazing political mobilization tool it is! The DSA has apparently taken over the democratic party and ALL THEY TALK ABOUT IS Israel, AIPAC, the IDF - and it’s working.
It is a symptom of a societal disease that is extremely serious.
Regardless of who the target is, when people start to blame instead of focusing on solving their real problems, their society falls apart. Regardless of the emotional satisfaction these people get from blaming, if every Jew on earth disappeared tomorrow, all their problems would still exist exactly as they do today. Other than the “purity” of the “Caliphate” where Israel is (they’d get rid of the Kurds, Druze and Christians in a matter of weeks - just look at Africa right now for what it will look like).
“Zionism is the Jewish People's movement for self-determination in our ancestral homeland. Not living at the mercy of kings or czars or mobs. Shaping our own future. Jews wanted what every other nation wanted: a place of our own.”
I am a Gentile Christian Zionist, so I’m not trying to tell you who you are. BUT, with all due respect, from the standpoint of the very Scriptures which tell the origin and long early history of the Chosen People, what you identify as Zionism is only actually a description of political Zionism and, therefore, only partially accurate.
The God of Israel; He Who chose Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their seed as His Inheritance, is Himself the ultimate Zionist. It is He Who calls His people to inhabit the Promised Land, in fulfillment of His call upon those who prove themselves to be ‘Abraham’s seed’; those who voluntarily submit to being ‘governed by God’.
Psalms 132:13-14 (Tanakh)
“For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His seat. “This is my resting-place for all time; here I will dwell, for I desire it.”
Christians who know Bible prophecy wouldn’t do this: “For centuries, Christianity pointed to our exile as proof that the truth was with them.” I am a Christian who fully supports Israel’s right to exist as the nation God created it to be. God has yet to fulfill some major prophecies concerning Israel; therefore, Israel must exist as a nation in order for them to be fulfilled.
This article inspires me to share the lyrics to the title song from the 1961 Broadway musical about Israel "Milk and Honey" by the late great Jerry Herman:
(It starts as an emotional anthem full of passion and introducing a strong sense of possession):
This is the land of Milk and Honey
This is the land of sun and song and
This is the world of good and plenty
Humble and proud and young and strong and
This is the place where the hopes of the homeless
and the dreams of the lost combine
This is the land that heaven blessed and
This lovely land is mine
(To avoid making it too much of a patriotic love letter, Herman adds a heavy dose of cynical reality):
The honey's kind of bitter and the milk's a little sour
Do you know that pebbles are the state's official flower?
How about the tensions, political dissensions and
No one ever mentions, that the scenery is barren and
Torrid and arid and horrid and
How about the border where the Syrians attack?
How about the Arabs with the rifle in your back?
How about the water . . . [cannot understand these words] brine
But this lovely land is mine
(Finally, the two versions resolve as one vision for the future, slowly and grandly):
What if the earth is dry and barren
What if the morning sun is mean to us for
This is a state of mind we live in
We want it green and so it's green to us for
When you have wonderful plans for tomorrow
Somehow even today looks fine so
What if it's rock and dust and sand,
For this lovely land is mine
It could never be produced today, but I listen to it constantly.
Having seen that play as a child, I would like to rewatch it now. However, I've been unable to find it using Google or Amazon. Does anyone know how I can either stream that play or rent it?
Wow, I never saw it and I haven't seen a filmed version anywhere, for example HD Broadway. But I LOVE the whole score, which I hear on Apple Music. "Shalom" is also a terrific song: "When your voice has 'I don't want to go in it,' Say good-bye with a little hello in it, and Say good-bye with Shalom."
"Zionism is the Jewish People’s movement for self-determination in our ancestral homeland." The critics want Jews to once again suffer pogroms, another Shoah, and the complete annihilation of every man, woman, and child in Éretz Yisra'él which would make what the Nazis did look like child's play, in comparison. Israel is going nowhere regardless of the desires of its Islamic enemies and worldwide critics.
What we are witnessing is not just an isolated controversy; it signals systemic risk at the leadership level. When people in power openly normalize or defend racially charged rhetoric, it shows a deeper erosion of the standards that support social stability and international trust.
This issue is not about one statement or one individual. It is about the return of identity-based hierarchies that divide societies, weaken governance, and create long-term geopolitical tension. History has shown that when such narratives go unchallenged, they change from rhetoric into policy distortions, economic exclusion, and social unrest.
For global leaders and decision-makers, the priority must be to contain and correct issues at the structural level. This requires holding public officials accountable, strengthening international norms around responsible leadership, and integrating reputation-risk monitoring systems into political and institutional frameworks.
In our interconnected world, reputational damage does not stay local; it affects the global stage, impacting investment climates, diplomatic relations, and institutional credibility. The cost of inaction is not just theoretical; it is seen in instability, capital flight, and weakened alliances.
The strategic objective is clear: we must reassert standards of leadership that promote stability, credibility, and long-term global unity. before these isolated signals develop into systemic fractures.
Thank you for sharing this perspective. The article raises important points about Jewish historical connection to the Land of Israel, the development of modern Zionism, and the long history of antisemitism that influenced Jewish political thought in the 19th and 20th centuries.
At the same time, I think discussions about this subject benefit from carefully separating historical facts from political interpretations. The Jewish connection to the land is historically real, as is the long continuity of Jewish religious, cultural, and national identity connected to Jerusalem and the region. But it is also historically true that another people, the Palestinians, developed their own national identity and connection to the same land.
The difficult part of this history is that two peoples have legitimate historical narratives, memories, and attachments connected to the same place. Recognizing Jewish history does not require denying Palestinian history, and recognizing Palestinian history does not require denying Jewish history.
For serious discussion, it is important to avoid turning a complicated history into a simple story where one side has only rights and the other side has only blame. The events surrounding the creation of Israel, the displacement and refugee experiences of Palestinians, Jewish persecution in Europe and Arab countries, and the ongoing conflicts afterward all need to be examined honestly and with the same standards of evidence.
A better understanding comes not from denying anyone's identity or suffering, but from acknowledging the full historical picture — including the experiences, fears, and aspirations of both peoples.
Another point others have raised is the hypocrisy of those who accuse Israel of being an “Ethnostate” (which it isn’t), and claim to be advocating for a Palestinian state (in its place) - as if we can’t see that what they’re calling for is an actual ethnostate, resulting from a genocide. Thank you @DrEinatWilf and @Eitan Chitayat for your clarity!
In the thirties and forties , the Arabs made the case that the land was settled by Muslims.....now called Arabs after Arabization....for centuries....and that canceled any ancient claims by folks form Russia and Poland and Austria. In fact, it was ridiculous that they should propose a Jewish state where they'd been reduced to a tiny minority. And the land was too small for immigration
Today this is argument is still true added to which is purposeful ethnic cleansing and now even genocide and rape by trained dogs. I'm Zionist....so I'm with you.....nothing has changed except since Oslo the vehemence and hostility of the Palestine Arabs to any kind of compromise....not the Clinton Parameters, and certainly not a binational state Beinart.......only river to sea Muslim supremacy and a fanatic Arab ethno state.
And please remind the Antisemitic world who never existed before: Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, all were made up after WWI, after the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire. Their right to self-determination is never questioned. Arab violence prevented only the Jewish homeland from being established after WWI.
There’s something in there that undermines its joy and purpose: political Zionism. When something so precious becomes political, it becomes tainted. Being Jewish is a religion, a genetic fact, a people and so much more, as you say. But it is not a political movement.
Why we even still using this word? It made sense prior to the establishment of the state of Israel, but now how is Israel any different than all the rest of the countries in the world, most of which were established after Israel?
Nobody today talks about Pakistanism or Croatiaism or Eritreaism or… the list goes on and on and on.
I’m not Jewish and have no personal stake in this, but it’s head scratchingly annoying to watch Israel be the only country on the planet who has to continually explain and justify its existence.
It’s not about our existence. There’s no comparison as something like Zionism doesn’t exist with some of the countries you mentioned. Zionism a movement yes but equally it’s an integral part of our soul and identity. And that’s what haters are trying to erase. They erase the meaning of the word and what it means to us and in a few generations, what else do they try to erase. Think about it.
I agree and Israelis (and everyone, really) should be proud Zionists. My point was simply that no other country/people in the world has to have a word that justifies their right to live in their ancestral homeland.
It’s the constant double standards that only ever apply to Israel.
You have hit on the crux of the matter: “the only country on the planet who has to continually explain and justify its existence.” The question of why is its own answer - because Jews. The rest, as our ancient sage Hillel said, is “commentary”.
It really is the most bizarre mind virus ever to infect the human species. If even 1/10th of the Jewish conspiracies were true, you guys would make the Avengers look like a bunch of cosplaying powerless pussies. 😂
Well just look at what an amazing political mobilization tool it is! The DSA has apparently taken over the democratic party and ALL THEY TALK ABOUT IS Israel, AIPAC, the IDF - and it’s working.
Humans love a good scapegoat. Relieves them of a lot of stress and responsibility.
It is a symptom of a societal disease that is extremely serious.
Regardless of who the target is, when people start to blame instead of focusing on solving their real problems, their society falls apart. Regardless of the emotional satisfaction these people get from blaming, if every Jew on earth disappeared tomorrow, all their problems would still exist exactly as they do today. Other than the “purity” of the “Caliphate” where Israel is (they’d get rid of the Kurds, Druze and Christians in a matter of weeks - just look at Africa right now for what it will look like).
“Zionism is the Jewish People's movement for self-determination in our ancestral homeland. Not living at the mercy of kings or czars or mobs. Shaping our own future. Jews wanted what every other nation wanted: a place of our own.”
I am a Gentile Christian Zionist, so I’m not trying to tell you who you are. BUT, with all due respect, from the standpoint of the very Scriptures which tell the origin and long early history of the Chosen People, what you identify as Zionism is only actually a description of political Zionism and, therefore, only partially accurate.
The God of Israel; He Who chose Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their seed as His Inheritance, is Himself the ultimate Zionist. It is He Who calls His people to inhabit the Promised Land, in fulfillment of His call upon those who prove themselves to be ‘Abraham’s seed’; those who voluntarily submit to being ‘governed by God’.
Psalms 132:13-14 (Tanakh)
“For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His seat. “This is my resting-place for all time; here I will dwell, for I desire it.”
Am Israel Chai, to the glory of God!
Very smart!
Well said, Mike!
Christians who know Bible prophecy wouldn’t do this: “For centuries, Christianity pointed to our exile as proof that the truth was with them.” I am a Christian who fully supports Israel’s right to exist as the nation God created it to be. God has yet to fulfill some major prophecies concerning Israel; therefore, Israel must exist as a nation in order for them to be fulfilled.
This article inspires me to share the lyrics to the title song from the 1961 Broadway musical about Israel "Milk and Honey" by the late great Jerry Herman:
(It starts as an emotional anthem full of passion and introducing a strong sense of possession):
This is the land of Milk and Honey
This is the land of sun and song and
This is the world of good and plenty
Humble and proud and young and strong and
This is the place where the hopes of the homeless
and the dreams of the lost combine
This is the land that heaven blessed and
This lovely land is mine
(To avoid making it too much of a patriotic love letter, Herman adds a heavy dose of cynical reality):
The honey's kind of bitter and the milk's a little sour
Do you know that pebbles are the state's official flower?
How about the tensions, political dissensions and
No one ever mentions, that the scenery is barren and
Torrid and arid and horrid and
How about the border where the Syrians attack?
How about the Arabs with the rifle in your back?
How about the water . . . [cannot understand these words] brine
But this lovely land is mine
(Finally, the two versions resolve as one vision for the future, slowly and grandly):
What if the earth is dry and barren
What if the morning sun is mean to us for
This is a state of mind we live in
We want it green and so it's green to us for
When you have wonderful plans for tomorrow
Somehow even today looks fine so
What if it's rock and dust and sand,
For this lovely land is mine
It could never be produced today, but I listen to it constantly.
Having seen that play as a child, I would like to rewatch it now. However, I've been unable to find it using Google or Amazon. Does anyone know how I can either stream that play or rent it?
Wow, I never saw it and I haven't seen a filmed version anywhere, for example HD Broadway. But I LOVE the whole score, which I hear on Apple Music. "Shalom" is also a terrific song: "When your voice has 'I don't want to go in it,' Say good-bye with a little hello in it, and Say good-bye with Shalom."
"Zionism is the Jewish People’s movement for self-determination in our ancestral homeland." The critics want Jews to once again suffer pogroms, another Shoah, and the complete annihilation of every man, woman, and child in Éretz Yisra'él which would make what the Nazis did look like child's play, in comparison. Israel is going nowhere regardless of the desires of its Islamic enemies and worldwide critics.
Tell that to the UN and to all the so called "Democratic" members of the UN who have their embassies in Tel Aviv I/O Jerusalem.
What we are witnessing is not just an isolated controversy; it signals systemic risk at the leadership level. When people in power openly normalize or defend racially charged rhetoric, it shows a deeper erosion of the standards that support social stability and international trust.
This issue is not about one statement or one individual. It is about the return of identity-based hierarchies that divide societies, weaken governance, and create long-term geopolitical tension. History has shown that when such narratives go unchallenged, they change from rhetoric into policy distortions, economic exclusion, and social unrest.
For global leaders and decision-makers, the priority must be to contain and correct issues at the structural level. This requires holding public officials accountable, strengthening international norms around responsible leadership, and integrating reputation-risk monitoring systems into political and institutional frameworks.
In our interconnected world, reputational damage does not stay local; it affects the global stage, impacting investment climates, diplomatic relations, and institutional credibility. The cost of inaction is not just theoretical; it is seen in instability, capital flight, and weakened alliances.
The strategic objective is clear: we must reassert standards of leadership that promote stability, credibility, and long-term global unity. before these isolated signals develop into systemic fractures.
Thank you for sharing this perspective. The article raises important points about Jewish historical connection to the Land of Israel, the development of modern Zionism, and the long history of antisemitism that influenced Jewish political thought in the 19th and 20th centuries.
At the same time, I think discussions about this subject benefit from carefully separating historical facts from political interpretations. The Jewish connection to the land is historically real, as is the long continuity of Jewish religious, cultural, and national identity connected to Jerusalem and the region. But it is also historically true that another people, the Palestinians, developed their own national identity and connection to the same land.
The difficult part of this history is that two peoples have legitimate historical narratives, memories, and attachments connected to the same place. Recognizing Jewish history does not require denying Palestinian history, and recognizing Palestinian history does not require denying Jewish history.
For serious discussion, it is important to avoid turning a complicated history into a simple story where one side has only rights and the other side has only blame. The events surrounding the creation of Israel, the displacement and refugee experiences of Palestinians, Jewish persecution in Europe and Arab countries, and the ongoing conflicts afterward all need to be examined honestly and with the same standards of evidence.
A better understanding comes not from denying anyone's identity or suffering, but from acknowledging the full historical picture — including the experiences, fears, and aspirations of both peoples.
Another point others have raised is the hypocrisy of those who accuse Israel of being an “Ethnostate” (which it isn’t), and claim to be advocating for a Palestinian state (in its place) - as if we can’t see that what they’re calling for is an actual ethnostate, resulting from a genocide. Thank you @DrEinatWilf and @Eitan Chitayat for your clarity!
In the thirties and forties , the Arabs made the case that the land was settled by Muslims.....now called Arabs after Arabization....for centuries....and that canceled any ancient claims by folks form Russia and Poland and Austria. In fact, it was ridiculous that they should propose a Jewish state where they'd been reduced to a tiny minority. And the land was too small for immigration
Today this is argument is still true added to which is purposeful ethnic cleansing and now even genocide and rape by trained dogs. I'm Zionist....so I'm with you.....nothing has changed except since Oslo the vehemence and hostility of the Palestine Arabs to any kind of compromise....not the Clinton Parameters, and certainly not a binational state Beinart.......only river to sea Muslim supremacy and a fanatic Arab ethno state.
And please remind the Antisemitic world who never existed before: Iraq, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, all were made up after WWI, after the dismantling of the Ottoman Empire. Their right to self-determination is never questioned. Arab violence prevented only the Jewish homeland from being established after WWI.
Dear Eytan and Einat , thank you for this thought-provoking article
There’s something in there that undermines its joy and purpose: political Zionism. When something so precious becomes political, it becomes tainted. Being Jewish is a religion, a genetic fact, a people and so much more, as you say. But it is not a political movement.
Beautifully stated.