The basic Zionist meaning is a person who supports Zionism, the movement that sought, and now supports, a Jewish national homeland in the Land of Israel. Zionist is also an adjective, as in "the Zionist movement".
Zionism began as an organised movement in late nineteenth century Europe. Since the State of Israel was founded in 1948, the word usually refers to support for Israel's existence as a Jewish state. It is a deeply contested term: people hold very different views of its history and present, and this page sets out those views factually without taking a side.
Entry at a glance
Zionism
Movement for, and support of, a Jewish homeland in the Land of IsraelZionist
A supporter of Zionism; or relating to itPart of speech
Zionism: noun. Zionist: noun and adjectivePronunciation
ZY-uh-niz-uhm; ZY-uh-nistOrigin
From Zion, a biblical name for Jerusalem; the term Zionism dates from 1890Related terms
anti-Zionism, post-Zionism, Christian ZionismRegister
Neutral in history and politics; often emotionally charged
Zionism definition: the core idea
To define Zionism briefly, it is a national movement among Jewish people. Its central idea is that Jews are a people with a historic link to the Land of Israel and have a right to self-determination there. Before 1948 the goal was to create a Jewish state; after 1948 the word most often means support for that state continuing to exist and be secure.
Zionism is not a single fixed set of beliefs. People who call themselves Zionists can hold very different views about borders, religion, government policy and relations with Palestinians.
Where the words come from
Zion is the name of a hill in Jerusalem. In the Hebrew Bible it came to stand for Jerusalem and, more broadly, for the land and the Jewish people's hope of return. The longing for Zion appears in Jewish prayers and texts over many centuries.
The modern word Zionism (German Zionismus) was coined in 1890 by the Viennese writer Nathan Birnbaum in a journal he published, along with "Zionist". The First Zionist Congress met in Basel, Switzerland, in 1897 and set the goal of a publicly recognised Jewish home in what was then Ottoman Palestine.
A short historical outline
- Late 1800s: rising antisemitism and violent attacks on Jews in parts of Europe push interest in a Jewish homeland. Small groups begin to settle in Ottoman Palestine.
- 1917 to 1948: under British rule of Palestine, Jewish immigration grows, as does conflict with the Arab population.
- 1940s: after the Holocaust, support for a Jewish state widens internationally.
- 1948: the State of Israel is declared. War follows, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs flee or are expelled, which Palestinians call the Nakba (catastrophe).
- Since 1948: Zionism is linked to support for Israel, while debate continues over the conflict, territory and rights.
Main strands of Zionism
| Strand | Main emphasis |
|---|---|
| Political Zionism | Gaining international recognition and a legal state |
| Cultural Zionism | A centre for Jewish culture and the revival of Hebrew |
| Labour Zionism | Building the homeland through farming, workers and collective settlements |
| Religious Zionism | Seeing the return to the land as a religious duty |
| Revisionist Zionism | A strong, larger state with firm security |
| Christian Zionism | Support for Israel by Christians, usually on religious grounds |
Zionist meaning and why it is debated
Any definition of Zionist runs into the fact that people view Zionism very differently, and the same word can sound proud, neutral or hostile depending on the speaker.
- Supporters see it as the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, a response to centuries of persecution and a refuge after the Holocaust.
- Many Palestinians and critics see its history as tied to the loss of their land and homes, and to ongoing occupation and conflict.
- Some Jewish groups, including some strictly Orthodox communities, oppose Zionism for religious reasons, while others criticise it on political grounds.
There is also a sharp argument about whether anti-Zionism (opposition to Zionism) is a form of antisemitism. Some say it often is or can become so; others insist that criticising a political movement or state is different from hostility to Jews. A further concern is that "Zionist" is sometimes used as a coded insult for Jewish people in general, which many people on all sides reject.
Using the words accurately
- Capitalise them: Zionism, Zionist, Zion.
- Zionist does not simply mean Jewish or Israeli. Not all Jews are Zionists, not all Israelis describe themselves that way, and many Zionists are not Jewish.
- In neutral writing, describe specific views ("supports a two state solution", "opposes settlement building") instead of leaning on the one word.
For related terms, see diaspora and nationalism, or return to the hub for public life terms.
Frequently asked questions
What does Zionist mean in simple words?
A short Zionist definition: a Zionist is someone who supports Zionism, the belief that Jewish people should have a national homeland in the Land of Israel. Today it usually means a supporter of Israel's existence as a Jewish state.
What is the definition of Zionism?
Zionism is the national movement that worked for a Jewish state in the historic Land of Israel and, since 1948, supports that state. It includes many different strands and political views.
Where does the word Zionism come from?
It comes from Zion, a hill in Jerusalem and a biblical name for the city and land. The term Zionism was coined in 1890 by the writer Nathan Birnbaum.
Is every Jewish person a Zionist?
No. Many Jews support Zionism, but some do not, for religious or political reasons. Many non-Jews, such as Christian Zionists, do support it.
What is anti-Zionism?
Anti-Zionism is opposition to Zionism or to Israel as a Jewish state. Whether and when it overlaps with antisemitism is strongly debated.
How do you pronounce Zionist?
Say ZY-uh-nist; the first syllable rhymes with my and buy. Zionism is ZY-uh-niz-uhm.