Zionism: From Classical Zionism to Pro-Israelism?

This chapter begins with a definition of Zionism as a political movement in its classical form and not a religious movement, although it was built on the platform of a religious yearning to return to Zion, the Land of Israel, from which many Jews were exiled after the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. As Zionism emerged as a political movement in Europe in the latter part of the nineteenth century, it represented a secular alternative to advance the continuity of the Jewish people. Its Structural Focus was on Jewish peoplehood or ethnicity and not religion (although a religious form of Zionism did emerge), but its Cultural Guidelines were rooted in Jewish values. The institutional history of Zionism in the US is divided into five phases: The “Benevolent Mode” (Phase I, before 1880); Beginnings (Phase II, 1880–1917); development and definition in which American Zionism is developed and defined as distinct from Eastern European Zionism (Phase III, 1917–1942); a period of increased support for American Zionism when a consensus in its favor was formed; and it attained a degree of hegemony or preeminence as well as increased aliyah of Americans to Israel (Phase IV, 1942–1977); and a period in which American Zionism faced challenges posed by its success, first in its primary goal, the establishment of the State of Israel, and then in seeing Israel serve as the longed-for haven for Jews anywhere in the world who desired or needed such (Phase V, 1977–Present). Overall, a review of the national surveys indicates that few American Jews are classical Zionists, although nearly half have visited Israel. Nevertheless, a substantial majority of American Jews have accepted one or another aspect of “Pro-Israelism” or American Zionism.