ZIONISM: Jewish Peoplehood & the realization of their national aspiration.

ISRAEL: what this nation means to the Jewish people everywhere.
(What this tiny nation gave to the world, see prev. post below
http://anivlam.blogspot.com/2005_11_20_anivlam_archive.html )

Jerusalem Program 2004 : definition of Zionism.

Zionism is a dynamic ideology. That is why the core definition and aims of Zionism are periodically revised and updated. Below is the text that was endorsed in the Zionist Council session that took place in June 2004 in Jerusalem.

Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.
The foundations of Zionism are:
1. The unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland Eretz Yisrael, and the centrality of the State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation;
2. Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli Society.
3. Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.
4. Ensuring the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;
5. Nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility, defending the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation, representing the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggling against all manifestations of anti-Semitism;
6. Settling the country as an expression of practical Zionism.

Regarding the Jewish connection with Israel see:
http://zionism-israel.com/issues/Zionism_Israel_Wujs_Jewish_right.html
Regarding "was Israel created because of the Holocaust" see two
long articles at MidEastWeb
http://www.mideastweb.org/log/archives/00000346.htm
http://www.mideastweb.org/log/archives/00000349.htm

"If I forget thee O' Jerusalem"

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Eyes watchful
I yearn day after day
And wonder
When I will come and witness
Jerusalem rebuilt.

How pleasant is her dwelling place,

How very lovely her inheritance,

Mountains surround her,

A wall of fire-

The flame of God.

(XIIIth Century, traditional hymn of the Jews of North Africa in Seder Yedidut)

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