Zionism is the desire for Jews to return to the land of Zion which has basically existed since the Jews founded the original Israel in Zion back a few thousand years ago.

Of course they were kicked out, carted off and dispersed in the "diaspora" and so now most people think of the modern day version where going back a few hundred years Jews began discussing how and when to return to their homeland. There are Jewish prayers which are thousands of years old which talk about the refounding of Israeli society in Zion and Jerusalem in particular. But the Zionists of the last couple of centuries are what most people are familiar with now.

It is in fact an essentially Jewish movement although there are obviously many Christians, Muslims, Ba'Hai, Hindus, Buddhists and a variety of other religions who are very accepting and supportive of 20th century and 21st century Zionism movement. The main reason is how the Israelis respect freedom of religion for all and how they have brought so much prosperity to the new country over the last 60 years. Often these supporters are also called Zionists because they generally support Jewish Israeli Nationalism but they were not very involved in setting up the state of Israel.

Zionist Jews beginning in the 1800s actually made the modern retrun of Jews to their homeland possible - resurrecting the society, language and building a thriving and successful Jewish community - buying land and redeveloping the whole country now. It is an amazing story actually.
Of course Jews always lived there since antiquity continuously but the numbers swelled over time as persecuted Jews and the ever optomistic ones arrived in larger and larger numbers, purchased homes and set up new farms and businesses. Sadly in the horrific time for Jews in the middle of the last century many had all their possessions stolen in Iran, Iraq, Syria, Egypt, Morroco and Lebanon as well as all over Europe and they made their way as refugees to Israel where they were welcomed, protected and assisted in remaking their lives as Israelis.

Zionism is thus synonymous with Israeli-Jewish Nationalism.
Being against Zionism is like being against Americanism and
makes just about as much sense (ie. it's nonsense).

The whole premise of this thread is just silly.

It is like saying America is being hijacked by Chinese Nationalism - or Irish Nationalism - or Brazilian Nationalism - or Mexican Nationalism.



Anyway - anyone interested in Israeli History can find it here:

Jewish Virtual Library - Israel
or
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs

It is fascinating.

Zionism is thus synonymous with Israeli-Jewish Nationalism.
Being against Zionism is like being against Americanism and
makes just about as much sense (ie. it's nonsense).



I have to disagree with that.

IF Zionism was about 'returning' someplace that was currently already occupied, I imagine many jews and other religious didnt support such a move or movement


America did begin, occupying native american land, but after the original colonies it was wars which increased the land

unlike Israel which was just,,,,internationally decided upon to be 'occupied' by the 'original' inhabitants



Im not on either 'side' necessarily, but I think that history is pretty complex


though it would be strange for those in israel to no be 'nationalistic', its completely reasonable for those already in 'israel' but taken over by the jewish state to not be so fond of

zionism