Jewish People: In 200 words or less, what really is a "Zionist"?

Question

Because this word keeps getting thrown around and I don't understand the emotive attachment people are having with it.

quantrill37,
Thanks.

Answer 1

A ZIONIST is usually a person who is Jewish and that believes that ZION - meaning ISRAEL - is the home of the Jewish people.

The word originated in the mid 19 century, when Jews from Europe came to live in the Land of Israel (= ZION). They called themselves ZIONISTS.

A lot of emotions are attached to this word because of the argument regarding the right of the Jews to the land of Israel. Can the ZIONISTS claim right to Israel? The Jews think they can, and they prove it in so many ways:

1) The land of Israel belonged to the Israelites/Hebrews/Jews since Abraham. King David built his kingdom there. The Holy Temple was built in Jerusalem. The Jews were expelled by the Romans; nevertheless there was always Jewish presence there.

2) The Zionists came to live in Israel in the mid 19 century when it was the Ottoman Empire. They built and made a deserted area flourish. The Arab saw haw beautiful it can be and came to live there also (which they also had any right to). The whole area was under the Ottoman Empire, there were no borders to define any land (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Israel...)

3) The Zionist bought lands from their privet owners (whom ever they were, and they still have the documents to prove it.

4) In 1948 the UN declared Israel as a nation after they saw what happened to the Jews in Europe (Holocaust). With the approval of England which ruled Israel by then (The land of Israel was under the British Empire)

5) 1948, day after the declaration, 7 Arab nations declared war on Israel, Israel won by blood, sweat and tears.

The word is loaded today, because the Arab-Muslims see the ZIONISTS as intruders!!! And they want all Jews out of Israel (=ZION)

Answer 2

Someone who believes that a Jewish "home" should be existed in Israel.
That means that every persecuted Jew in the world should feel free to live peacefully in Israel.

Answer 3

One who believes that Jews belong in the Land of Israel, and that Israel is equal to other places in the world.

Answer 4

Someone who believes that the Jews should have a homeland, most say in Israel, most say a Jewish homeland.

Answer 5

Someone who believes Israel has a right to exist.