Zionism Facts for Kids

Flag of Israel, the flag was adopted as the official flag of Zionism in the 1890s

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What is Zionism?

Zionism is a type of nationalist movement. This means it's a group of people who share a common history and culture, working to have their own independent country. For Zionists, this country would be a safe place for Jewish people.

The word 'Zionism' comes from "Zion." Zion is an old name for Jerusalem, a very important city for Jewish people.

The Start of the Movement

The modern Zionist movement began in the late 1800s. A man named Theodor Herzl is often called its founder. He believed that Jewish people needed their own country to be safe and free.

At that time, the area known as Palestine was part of the Ottoman Empire. Many Jewish people lived there, but they did not have their own state.

Key Events in History

During World War I, the British government made an important statement. It was called the Balfour Declaration. In this declaration, Britain agreed to support the idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

After World War II and the Holocaust, there was a strong international push for a Jewish state. In 1948, the State of Israel was officially created. This was a major goal of the Zionist movement.

Different Views on Zionism

Some Evangelical Christians support Zionism. They believe that Jewish people returning to the Land of Israel is part of religious prophecies.

However, not everyone agrees with Zionism. Some groups, including some Jewish people, have different views on the movement and the State of Israel.

Religious Zionism

Images for kids

Front page of The Jewish Chronicle, 17 January 1896, showing an article by Theodor Herzl (the father of political Zionism) a month prior to the publication of his pamphlet Der Judenstaat
The delegates at the First Zionist Congress, held in Basel, Switzerland (1897)
The Great Synagogue of Rishon LeZion was founded in 1885.
Palestine as claimed by the World Zionist Organization in 1919 at the Paris Peace Conference
During the 1919 Paris Peace Conference, an Inter-Allied Commission was sent to Palestine to assess the views of the local population; the report summarized the arguments received from petitioners for and against Zionism.
David Ben-Gurion proclaiming Israel's independence beneath a large portrait of Theodor Herzl
Yemenite Jews on their way to Israel during Operation Magic Carpet
Israeli author Amos Oz, who today is described as the 'aristocrat' of Labor Zionism
Kibbutznikiyot (female Kibbutz members) in Mishmar HaEmek, during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. The Kibbutz is the historical heartland of Labor Zionism.
Ze'ev Jabotinsky, founder of Revisionist Zionism
The 15th-century Abuhav synagogue, established by Sephardic Jews in Safed, Northern Israel.
Martin Luther King Jr. was a notable Christian supporter of Israel and Zionism.
Israeli Druze Scouts march to Jethro's tomb. Today, thousands of Israeli Druze belong to 'Druze Zionist' movements.
The Palestinian Arab Christian-owned Falastin newspaper featuring a caricature on its 18 June 1936 edition showing Zionism as a crocodile under the protection of a British officer telling Palestinian Arabs: "don't be afraid!!! I will swallow you peacefully...".
Two Neturei Karta members join in a large anti-Israel demonstration in Berlin, alongside Iranian and Hezbollah flags.

Zionism facts for kids

Contents

What is Zionism?

The Start of the Movement

Key Events in History

Different Views on Zionism

Related pages

Images for kids

See also