What is Zionism?

Zionism is the Jewish people’s desire for self determination in their ancestral homeland, the Land of Israel — the word “Zion” refers to one of two hills where King David established the ancient city of Jerusalem. After the founding of the modern state of Israel in 1948, Zionism became the national movement of the Israeli people, and a movement to support Israel. Zionism is a core component of Jewish identity for the majority of Jews around the world.

Modern Zionism emerged in Europe in the 19th century in response to antisemitism, anti-Jewish violence, and persecution. It was rooted in the idea that the Jewish people needed a physical place to be safe, and that Jews would be safest by repatriating their spiritual, cultural, and ancestral homeland in Israel.

Zionism is not a white supremacist movement, nor inherently anti-Arab or anti-Palestinian. The Declaration of Israel’s Independence (1948) calls for peace and cooperation among its neighbors: “We offer peace and unity to all the neighboring states and their peoples, and invite them to cooperate with the independent Jewish nation for the common good of all.” While early Zionists envisioned peaceful coexistence, the rise of competing Jewish and Palestinian nationalism has led to significant tensions and conflicts in the region.

Today, many Zionists advocate for a two-state solution, believing that Israel and the Palestinian people can coexist peacefully, while others emphasize the need for Israel to remain a secure Jewish state with careful consideration of demographic and security concerns. Contemporary Zionism often stresses the importance of peace and coexistence, though achieving this remains complex and challenging.

On college campuses, in recent years the word “Zionist” has sometimes been used by anti-Israel and antisemitic activists as a pejorative for anyone with a connection to Israel, or for anyone who is Jewish. As a result, many colleges and universities are clarifying or updating their codes of conduct to explicitly note that using the word “Zionist” as an insult could be a violation of the school’s non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.