For millennia, the Jewish people have maintained a sincere, unbroken bond with the Land of Israel, rooted in their spiritual, cultural, and historical identity. This connection transcends political boundaries and is enshrined in their prayers, traditions, and collective memory. From the ancient biblical narratives of Joseph and the Exodus to the Babylonian exile and beyond, the yearning for Zion has been a constant in Jewish life. Modern Zionism is often reduced to a political movement of the 19th century, when it is in actual fact the latest chapter in a long and profound story of indigenous redemption and spiritual return. Recognition of these realities by global indigenous leaders underscores Zionism as the single most successful attempt at reclamation—a rightful return of the Jewish People to their ancestral homeland after centuries of displacement and persecution.
The roots of Zionism stretch back nearly 4,000 years, beginning with the biblical narratives of Joseph and the Exodus. These stories are not just religious texts; they are the memoirs, living record, and traditional bedrock of the Jewish People's connection to the Land of Israel. Joseph's story, set during the time of the Hyksos in Egypt, and the Exodus, which represents the liberation of the Israelites and their journey to the Promised Land, are central to Jewish identity. These events occurred over a millennium before Nebuchadnezzar's destruction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, further cementing the ancient and continuous Jewish connection to their homeland.
To understand Zionism as a modern political movement is to ignore the centuries of prayers, rituals, and aspirations that have been a core part of Jewish life. For millennia, Jews around the world have prayed for a return to Zion, celebrated holidays that center on Jerusalem, and maintained a physical and sacred bond to their ancestral homeland. This is not colonialism; it is the epitome of decolonization. The Jewish People, like other indigenous groups, have sought to reclaim and return to their ancestral lands after being forcibly removed and oppressed by various empires and colonial powers.
The modern political expression of Zionism in the 19th and 20th centuries was a natural continuation of this ancient longing. It emerged as a response to the dire circumstances faced by Jews in the diaspora, particularly in Europe, where antisemitism was rampant. Theodor Herzl and other leaders of the Zionist movement were driven by the urgent need to create a safe haven for Jews, but their motivations were also overwhelmingly inspired by a shared sense of destiny and an unwavering commitment to their traditions and values, which were a product of thousands of years of Jewish evolution in the diaspora.
When a secular Jew sheds a tear while singing "Hatikva," the Israeli national anthem, it is a testament to this eternal connection. "Hatikva," which means "The Hope," captures the centuries-old dream of living freely in the Jewish homeland. This emotional response is not about politics; it is about identity, heritage, and a sense of belonging that transcends any political framework.
To label Zionism as racist, Nazi-like, or apartheid is not only historically inaccurate but also a malicious attempt to delegitimize the Jewish People's rightful claim to their homeland. Such accusations echo Soviet propaganda and the rhetoric of the Muslim Brotherhood-controlled BDS Movement, both of which have long sought to undermine Israel and spread antisemitic ideologies. This narrative falsely portrays Jews as oppressors rather than acknowledging their history as a persecuted people seeking refuge and self-determination.
Antizionism today is often a thinly veiled form of antisemitism. It perpetuates age-old prejudices against Jews under the guise of political critique. By denying the Jewish People's right to their ancestral homeland, it denies their history, culture, and identity. Moreover, it exploits the struggles of other indigenous peoples to paint Jews as oppressors, ignoring the fact that Zionism does, in essence, represent the hopes and dreams of all First Nations to reclaim the lands that were unjustly stolen from them.
The Jewish return to Israel represents a triumph over centuries of exile and oppression. It is a beacon of hope for all oppressed and displaced peoples. The vilification of Zionism is not only an attack on Jewish history and identity but also an assault on the principles of justice and self-determination. In recognizing Zionism for what it truly is—the heritage and rightful inheritance of the Jewish People, a far-reaching movement driven by long-standing traditions, beliefs, and historical significance—we honor the enduring resilience and justified aspirations of the of one of the most ancient and persecuted indigenous peoples in the world.
To fully appreciate Zionism and counter the misconceptions often propagated by antizionist narratives, one must understand its extensive and life-changing ramifications for self-actualization of the Jewish People. After years of being persecuted in the diaspora, ethnically cleansed, and subjected to multiple genocides, the Jews were always told that no matter where they lived, they were unwelcome guests. Now, the enemies of the Jews would have the world believe that they are not welcome in their own ancestral homeland, either, and that they have somehow stolen it from the very people who colonized their land.
Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, a seminal figure in religious Zionism, viewed the return to the Land of Israel as a divine process integral to Jewish tradition and redemption. Rav Kook believed that Theodor Herzl and the secular Zionists were unknowingly part of a divine plan, embodying the role of Mashi’ach Ben Yoseph. According to Jewish eschatology, Mashi’ach Ben Yoseph is a messianic figure tasked with the practical groundwork for the ultimate redemption, which includes the return to the Land of Israel and the ingathering of exiles. This interpretation highlights that even secular efforts to establish a Jewish state were seen as fulfilling a spiritual destiny.
Even within the ultra-Orthodox Haredi community, including groups like the extremist and excommunicated cult, Neturei Karta, there is an acknowledgment of the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel. Their opposition to the modern state of Israel is not rooted in a rejection of Zionism per se but in a theological belief that Jews should only return to Israel with the coming of the Messiah. This perspective underscores that their antizionism is based on religious timing rather than a denial of the Jewish right to the land. Thus, their beliefs still align with the fundamental Zionist principle of Jewish self-determination in their ancestral homeland.
Throughout history, there have been numerous waves of Jewish return to Israel, all driven by religious and spiritual motivations. From the return under Ezra and Nehemiah during the Persian period to the aliyah of Jews fleeing persecution in medieval Europe, these movements were heartfelt and intensely concerned with the longing for Zion. Each wave of return reflected the unbroken connection between the Jewish People and their homeland.
The recent establishment of the Indigenous Embassy in Jerusalem by the Indigenous Coalition for Israel is a powerful testament to the recognition of Jews as indigenous to Israel. This initiative, supported by global indigenous leaders, emphasizes that Zionism exemplifies one of the earliest decolonization movements, reclaiming ancestral lands. It acknowledges the undeniable ties of the Jewish people to the Land of Israel, rejecting the false narrative that paints Zionism as colonialism.
As stated by Dr. Sheree Trotter at the embassy's inauguration, the initiative seeks to "change the narrative among indigenous people worldwide" and affirm the Jewish People as the indigenous inhabitants of Israel. Leaders from various indigenous communities expressed their solidarity, with Regent Xami Thomas of the Khoi Kingdom noting, "If Israel is not the indigenous people, there are no indigenous people".
Zionism, therefore, is not merely a modern political invention but a continuous expression of the Jewish People's millennia-old connection to their homeland. It embodies a yearning that transcends politics and public opinion. To label Zionism as racist or colonial is not only a gross misrepresentation but also an extension of antisemitic propaganda aimed at undermining Jewish self-determination. Recognizing Zionism as a legitimate and righteous movement for the indigenous Jewish People is essential in countering these false narratives and honoring the Jewish connection to the Land of Israel. We are no longer asking for recognition or acknowledgement. We're beyond that. The Jewish People have never needed, and still do not require anyone's permission or acceptance when it comes to our right to live free in our own homeland.
