Zionism 101 - can someone explain??...?

Question

(ok, this is a stupid question, but obviously this is not incommon on this site.)

so, what is Zionism?
is it good or bad?
why is our government so profoundly pro-Zionist?
what is your personal perspective on Zionism?

any insights will be greatly appreciated!

Answer 1

Zionism is both a political movement and an ideology. Generally speaking it has several main themes, however one which stands out more than others which is supporting the preservation of the land for the Jewish people in the Israel, where the Jewish nation originated over 3,200 years ago.

While Zionism is based in part upon religious tradition linking the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, the modern Zionist movement was secular, beginning largely as a response to rampant antisemitism in Europe and in many parts of the Muslim world during the 19th Century.

The Holocaust had destroyed much of the existing Jewish society in Europe, thereby stirring the Zionist movement and ultimatly culminating in the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

The term Zionism is generally considered to mean "support for Israel." However, a variety of different, and sometimes competing, ideologies that support Israel fit under the general category of Zionism, such as Religious Zionism, Revisionist Zionism, and Labor Zionism.

The term is also sometimes used to refer specifically to the programs of these ideologies, such as efforts to encourage Jewish emigration to Israel.

Answer 2

disregarding that stupid racist before, Zionism is the belief of having a nation-state called Israel. Zionism has been around since the creation of Judaism, It was very popular after WW2 after the holocoust. The UN decided to make the nation-state of Israel for a safe refuge for the tormented Jews. The land of Israel occupies the land that was called Palestein. There was fighting when Israel was created (and still is today) beucse the UN took Muslim land for Jewish land.

Zionism is good and bad in diffrent peoples views, If you belive Jewish people have a right to own the land due to biblical rights, then it would be a great idea. But other people see it as the Jews stealing land fromt he Muslims.

Our government is pro-zionist because we belive that Isreal should have it's own safe nation, and all because there are a lot of Jews in America that belive in Zionism.

I belive in Zionism, but just the Muslims that live there should not be treated diffrently then the Jews, I belive it should be an equaliy shared country.

If you want any more information, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zionism

Answer 3

Zionism is the idea that the Jewish people need to have a political state (rather than living in other countries). This is based on the writings of many starting roughly in the late 1800's. The idea is that the persecution of the Jews will never end. This isn't necessarily exclusive to Israel. While Isreal is the anscestral homeland of the Jews, many advocate(d) states in South America or even Europe. There was a section of land given to the Jews in Russia (not the Pale of Settlement, another section), but it was undesirable. Some hope(d) that Israel would become a "light to nations" and show the world a successful land of peace and justice. Others felt that a state was needed to create an "iron wall of iron will and Jewish bayonettes," meaning that the Jewish people needed to defend themselves against their persecutors.

Israel has long been an American ally in the middle east, in ways that our other "allies" like Saudi Arabia aren't. They are one of few Democracies in that area, and we have all kinds of military and business deals with them. At this point, we've invested so much in the country that it wouldn't make sense to pull out now.

I think it is good, in that it is entirely reasonable for any group of people to want to have their own nation (Zionism was, in many ways, a nationalist movement). There are all kinds of controversies about whether they have a right to the particular land tract they picked, but that's another story.

Answer 4

Zionism is the name for the directive that Jews return to Palestine and displace the inhabitants

Before 1900, when the movement began and the Jewish population in modern day Israel was about 5%. Through wave after wave of migration they were successful in taking over vast parts of the territory which at the time was part of the Ottoman Empire.

After WWI, this area became a "mandate country" which was administered by the British. The Zionist movement was helped along further until it achieved statehood and UN recognition in 1948.

Zionism is good for those who are Zionists and bad for the displaced population.

Imagine if millions of people from any definable group moved into your county and treated you as second class, and eventually forcing your departure. This is what the Zionists have succeeded in doing.

Answer 5

Zionism is largely a secular movement with the original intent of providing Jews a homeland in Palestine. The movement was sparked by European anti-semitism in the 19th century, which culminated in the Holocaust of World War 2. Today Zionism is often used to mean the unconditional support of Israel.
One of the reasons the American government is strongly Pro-Israel, or Zionist, is because Israel is our only ally in the middle east. Islamic leaders in the 20th century began calling America "the Great Satan" and calling for our destruction. This,of course, made it all the easier to back Israel.
My personal opinion is that we as a nation need to back Israel ONLY when they are acting in the best interests of peace. We do not have any other allies in the middle east, and it does not look as thought we are going to find any soon.
Currently, it is difficult for me to say "I support Israel." The Jews have extracted their "pound of flesh" for Hezbollah's actions in taking 2 Israeli soldiers out of Israeli territory and holding them hostages. It is time for Israel to stop their activities; I believe they have made whatever point they were trying to make.

Answer 6

I think you should have a good idea of what Zionism is after all these answers, so I will just give my perspective on Zionism.
Zionism is creating injustice throughout the world, creating people who are so desperate and hate-filled that they are prepared to kill themselves, (and other innocent people) to fight it.
To have a better world for future generations, this evil called 'Zionism' must be obliterated from the face of the earth.

Answer 7

Zionism is a book of instruction for Jews to rule the world. Its one of those things that the government is blind to. It explains how Jews should always get sympathy by saying remember the supposed Holocaust. and **** like control media and kiss *** to super powers such as America Britain And me

Answer 8

we support Israel and we will all ways support Israel
because what their country represents and what their people try to achieve on a day to day basis.
Zionism if anything was a response to anti-semitism in the 30's and 40's.

Zionism is really an expression of Israeli pride and faith

Answer 9

Zion is a metaphor for the promised land. The phrase isn't really all that much in use. It's used as more of a derogatory term more than anything else.

Zionist, mean Jewish person.

Answer 10

Zionism simply means the belief that Isreal is the homeland of the Jewish people.