Modern Zionism was established as a political organization by Theodor Herzl in 1897.
Herzl, a Jewish journalist and political activist from Austria, believed that, for the survival of the Jewish population, it needed a nation of its own.
In a pamphlet titled ‘The Jewish State’ he called for political recognition of a Jewish homeland in the area then known as Palestine.
Zionism is a movement to recreate a Jewish presence as Israel with statehood. “Zion,” is a Hebrew term that refers to Jerusalem.
Orthox Jews are opposed to nationhood for Jewish population.
Zionists see it is necessary to offer refuge to persecuted Jews and reestablish settlements in Israel.
However, many critics, see Zionism as an extremist ideology that discriminates against non-Jews, especially Palestinians.