Theodor Herzl, the Founder of Zionism
The
term "Zionism" was first introduced in 1893 by Nathan Birmbaum, but
Theodor Herzl, an Austrian Jew born to a prosperous, emancipated
Budapest family, is recognized as the founder of the Zionist idealogy
when he published his book in 1896, "The Jewish State", where he
declared that the cure for anti-semitism was the establishment of a
Jewish state. As he saw it, the best place to establish this state was
in Palestine.
While
Herzl claimed that the establishment of a "Jewish" state would cure
anti-Semitism, he also promoted anti-Semitism to further his cause.
Herzl stated in his diary:
"It
is essential that the sufferings of Jews...become worse...this will
assist in realization of our plans...I have an excellent idea...I shall
induce anti-Semites to liquidate Jewish wealth...The anti-Semites will
assist us thereby in that they will strengthen the persecution and
oppression of Jews. The anti-Semites shall be our best friends". (From
his Diary, Part I, pp. 16)
Benny
Morris (the Israeli Historian), described how Herzl foresaw how
anti-Semitism could be "HARNESSED" for the realization of Zionism. He
stated:
"Herzl
regarded Zionism's triumph as inevitable, not only because life in
Europe was ever more untenable for Jews, but also because it was in
Europe's interests to rid the Jews and relieved of anti-Semitism: The
European political establishment would eventually be persuaded to
promote Zionism. Herzl recognized that anti-Semitism would be HARNESSED
to his own--Zionist-purposes." (Righteous Victims, p. 21)
www.jewsagainstzionism.com/zionism/herzl/index.cfm
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