Zionism

David Alroy led a Jewish uprising in Upper Mesopotamia with the aim of reconquering the promised land, Palestine.

After the Reconquista of Al-Andalus, many Jews fled Christian persecution and sought refuge in the Holy Land, including cities like Safed, Jerusalem, Hebron, and Tiberias.

Joseph Nasi, who had fled the Spanish Inquisition in 1547, promotes Jewish settlement in Tiberias.

Thomas Brightman's work, published posthumously, discusses the potential return of the Jews to Jerusalem.

Sir Henry Finch's publication advocates for the restoration of the Jews and the spread of Christianity.

Isaac La Peyrère's work prophesies the conversion of the Jews, their return to Palestine, and the onset of the Messianic Age.

Sabbatai Zevi from modern Turkey claimed he would lead the Jews back to Palestine, sparking a Messianic movement.

Ebenezer and Joanna Cartwright petition the British Government to lift the ban on Jewish settlement in England and support their repatriation to Palestine.

Baruch Spinoza's Theologico-Political Treatise is the first work to address the Jewish Question in Europe.

Judah he-Hasid leads a group of 1,500 Jewish immigrants to the Land of Israel and settles in Jerusalem. Three days after their arrival, Judah he-Hasid dies.

In 1720, the synagogue of the Jewish immigrants led by Judah he-Hasid was burned down and all Ashkenazi Jews were banned by the Ottomans.

Joseph Eyre publishes a scholarly essay in 1771 entitled Observations Upon The Prophecies Relating To The Restoration Of The Jews.

Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk along with a large group of followers emigrates and settles in Safed in 1777.

In 1783, Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk's group was forced out of Safed and moved to Tiberias.

In 1791, Jews in Eastern Europe were restricted to living in the Pale of Settlement in Tsarist Russia due to constant pogroms and persecution. This policy aimed to confine the Jewish population to specific areas.

In 1794, the Ursuline Convent in Massachusetts was attacked and burned down by a Protestant mob, reflecting religious tensions in early American history.

Lord Byron published Hebrew Melodies, which is considered one of the first literary works of Jewish nationalism, despite not directly referencing a return to Palestine.

Wissenschaft des Judentums, meaning 'Jewish Studies,' began in the German Confederation to develop a secular Jewish identity.

John Nelson Darby founded Plymouth Brethren to spread dispensationalism, a Christian eschatological movement that views Jews as the chosen people and anticipates the rebirth of Israel.

At the age of 28, Benjamin Disraeli penned The Wondrous Tale of Alroy, narrating David Alroy's messianic mission to Jerusalem.

At the urging of Lord Shaftesbury, Britain established a consulate in Jerusalem in 1838, marking the first diplomatic appointment in the city.

Judah Alkalai publishes his pamphlet 'Darhei No'am' advocating the restoration of the Jews in the Land of Israel as a precursor to the coming of the Messiah.

In 1840, Lord Shaftesbury presented a paper to British Foreign Minister Lord Palmerston, calling for the 'recall of the Jews to their ancient land'. This proposal aimed to encourage the return of Jews to Palestine.

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland passes an Act on the Conversion of the Jews and sends four ministers to Palestine. They publish the book 'Narrative of a Visit to the Holy Land; And, Mission of Inquiry to the Jews' in 1842.

The exchange of letters between Moses Montefiore, the President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, and Charles Henry Churchill, the British consul in Damascus, is considered the first documented plan for political Zionism.

In 1845, Pastor T. Tully Crybace convened a committee in London to establish the 'British and Foreign Society for Promoting the Restoration of the Jewish Nation to Palestine'. The society aimed to advocate for the restoration of the Jewish people to Palestine and urged England to secure a significant portion of the region from Turkey.

Lord Lindsay expressed a vision for Palestine in 1847, stating that the land awaits the return of its banished children and the application of industry for its agricultural capabilities.

Around 1849, George Gawler accompanied Sir Moses Montefiori on a journey to Palestine, where he convinced Montefiori to invest in and initiate Jewish settlements in the country. This trip played a significant role in promoting the idea of Jewish colonization in Palestine.

In 1851, correspondence between Lord Stanley and Benjamin Disraeli revealed Disraeli's proto-Zionist views, including his plan of restoring the nation to Palestine.

In 1852, George Gawler founded the Association for Promoting Jewish Settlement in Palestine, aiming to encourage Jewish settlement in the region.

Heinrich Graetz published 'History of the Jews', the first academic work portraying Jews as a historical nation. The work became more nationalistic over time, especially in Volumes I and II after his trip to Palestine.

In 1857, James Finn proposed to the Foreign Secretary the idea of persuading Jews to settle in Palestine as agriculturalists in collaboration with the Arab peasantry.

Mishkenot Sha'ananim is established as the first neighborhood of the New Yishuv outside the Old City of Jerusalem by Sir Moses Montefiore.

In 1861, the Zion Society was established in Frankfurt, Germany, reflecting the growing interest and support for the Zionist movement.

Moses Hess publishes Rome and Jerusalem. The Last National Question, advocating for the Jews to return to the Land of Israel and proposing a socialist country where Jews would become agrarianised, laying the foundation for Labor Zionism.

Mark Twain tours Palestine, known as the Holy Land to Westerners, during his travels.

In 1868, Judah ben Shalom led a large movement of Yemenite Jews to Palestine, contributing to the population growth in the region.

Mark Twain published The Innocents Abroad, documenting his travel observations, including his view of Palestine as an uninhabited desert in the late 19th century.

Mikveh Israel, the first modern Jewish agricultural school and settlement, was founded in the Land of Israel by Charles Netter of the Alliance Israélite Universelle.

English novelist George Eliot publishes the novel Daniel Deronda, which was highly influential in the decision of individuals like Henrietta Szold, Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, and Emma Lazarus to become Zionists.

In 1877, Disraeli predicted that within fifty years, a nation of one million Jews would reside in Palestine under British guidance, reflecting his long-term vision.

Naphtali Herz Imber, a Galician poet, wrote the poem Tikvatenu (Our Hope), which was later adopted as the Zionist hymn Hatikvah.

The Hovevei Zion movement was founded in 1881, bringing together various Zionist organizations. It marked a significant milestone in the Zionist movement.

The earliest Zionist settlers, known as the first Aliyah, emerged in Eastern Europe in 1882. They sent small groups of Jews to purchase lands in the Jaffa region and Galilee.

Nathan Birnbaum established Kadimah, the first Jewish student association in Vienna, in 1883. This marked a significant step in the formation of the modern Zionist movement, emphasizing Jewish self-determination and emancipation.

The Katowice Conference, led by Leon Pinsker, takes place during this year.

In 1885, the term 'Zionism' was first coined by the Viennese writer, Nathan Birnbaum.

Neve Tzedek was built just outside Jaffa in 1887, contributing to the growth of Jewish communities in the region. It represented a shift towards modernity and unity among the settlers.

The term 'Zionism' was first coined, representing the movement for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

In 1891, Protestant theologian William Eugene Blackstone submitted the Blackstone Memorial, calling for the return of Palestine to the Jews, highlighting ongoing support for the Zionist movement.

The Dreyfus Affair, which took place in France in 1894, was a scandal that deeply affected emancipated Jews, highlighting the prevalent antisemitism in the country despite granting Jews equal rights. It led Theodor Herzl, an Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist, to publish his influential works advocating for the establishment of a Jewish state.

Theodor Herzl published his pamphlet 'Der Judenstaat' ('The Jewish State') in 1896, outlining his vision for the establishment of a Jewish state as a response to the antisemitism prevalent in European society, particularly highlighted by the Dreyfus Affair.

The First Zionist Congress held in 1897 in Basel, Switzerland, marked the birth of modern political Zionism. Theodor Herzl and other leaders of the Zionist movement discussed their vision for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

The First Zionist Congress organized by Theodor Herzl marked the birth of modern political Zionism and advocated for a Jewish homeland. Herzl's vision influenced Jewish identity and contributed to the establishment of the State of Israel.

Theodor Herzl, with the help of William Hechler, unsuccessfully approaches world leaders for assistance in creating a Jewish National Home, but gains political legitimacy for the Zionist movement.

Henry Pereira Mendes published a book advocating for the restoration of Jewish sovereignty in historic Israel as crucial for global peace and prosperity.

The Fifth Zionist Congress officially established the Jewish National Fund, an organization dedicated to purchasing land in Palestine for Jewish settlement.

In 1902, Theodor Herzl published 'Altneuland' ('The Old New Land'), further elaborating on his ideas for a Jewish state as a solution to the challenges faced by Jews in Europe, particularly in the aftermath of the Dreyfus Affair.

A massacre occurred in Kishinev, Russia, leading to great pressure in Britain to take Jewish immigrants.

In 1904, Theodor Herzl, the founder of modern political Zionism, unexpectedly passed away at the age of 44. David Wolffsohn took over the leadership of the Zionist movement until 1911, followed by Dr. Otto Warburg from 1911 to 1921, during a period of schism between the movement and Orthodox Judaism.

During the 1905 Russian Revolution, widespread pogroms occurred, inspired by the Pro-Tsarist Black Hundreds. In Odessa, Zionist leader Leon Trotsky provided arms to protect the Jewish community, preventing a pogrom.

The inaugural Zionist Congress took place in Switzerland in 1907, marking the foundation of the first Zionist organization.

In 1908, the first Palestinian anti-Zionist weekly newspaper was published by Arab Christian Najib Nassar, reflecting early opposition to Zionism.

In 1909, a group of 65 Zionists laid the foundations for the modern city of Tel Aviv in Palestine. The city was named after the Hebrew title of Herzl's book 'The Old New Land'. Tel Aviv became a hub for Hebrew language revival and education.

Zionist activist Hannah Meisel Shochat founded Havat Ha'Almot in 1911 to train Zionist women in farming. The farm played a significant role in empowering women within the Zionist movement.

In 1912, Louis Brandeis, a secular 'people's lawyer', became involved in Zionism, which led to a significant increase in support for the movement in the United States.

Chaim Weizmann met with Herbert Samuel, a British Cabinet member and a secular Jew who had studied Zionism. Samuel believed Weizmann's demands were too modest.

Chaim Weizmann met Arthur Balfour again, the first time since their initial meeting in 1905. Balfour, a senior member of the Conservative Party, had been out of government since 1906.

In January 1915, Herbert Samuel presents a detailed memorandum to the British Cabinet advocating for a British protectorate over Palestine to facilitate Jewish immigration.

Herbert Samuel circulated a memorandum entitled 'The Future of Palestine' to his Cabinet colleagues, proposing the annexation of Palestine to the British Empire as a solution welcomed by the Zionist movement.

A draft assurance was submitted to the Foreign Office, stating that in the event of Palestine coming under British or French influence, the Jewish population would be ensured civil and religious liberty, equal political rights, immigration facilities, and municipal privileges.

By 13 June 1917, the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, and the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs were in favor of Britain supporting the Zionist movement.

A revised draft declaration was prepared and sent by Lord Rothschild to Balfour on 18 July.

The Balfour Declaration was a public statement issued by the British government during World War I, announcing support for the establishment of a 'national home for the Jewish people' in Palestine.

After the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in 1918, the League of Nations endorsed the Balfour Declaration and established the British Mandate for Palestine, recognizing a Jewish agency for advising and cooperating in Palestine.

In 1919, the World Zionist Organization presented settlement plans at the Paris Peace Conference, which included territories like Western Jordan, Southern Syria, the Golan Heights, and Southern Lebanon, as part of Zionist colonization efforts.

Joseph Trumpeldor, the leader of Jewish settlers who were killed at Tel Hai in 1920, served as the primary role model for Betar. His sacrifice and words of patriotism inspired the Betar youth.

The 12th Zionist Congress held in Carlsbad in 1921 was the first congress since World War I. Chaim Weizmann was elected president, and the congress proposed an 'Arab-Jewish Entente' to foster understanding with the Arab nation.

In July 1922, the League of Nations confirmed the offer of a Mandate for Palestine to Great Britain, as decided at the San Remo conference.

The Mandate for Palestine assigned to Great Britain officially came into effect in September 1923, shaping the governance of the region.

In 1924, the Palestine Jewish Colonization Association was founded by Edmond James de Rothschild, aiming to support Jewish settlement and development in Palestine.

In March 1925, the Jewish population in Palestine was officially estimated at 108,000, marking a significant increase.

In 1927, the Zionist Federation of Australia was founded in Melbourne, Australia. It aimed to support and promote the Zionist movement among the Jewish community in Australia.

During the late 1920s, European nations started legislating immigration laws that prevented Jews from entering, as some new European states viewed Jewish immigrants as a threat to their political stability and feared they would bring revolutionary ideas.

The first mass protests against increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, known as the Al-Buraq Uprising, took place.

In the summer of 1930, a compromise was reached between different factions and visions of Zionism, largely on Louis Brandeis's terms, leading to a restructured leadership for the ZOA.

In 1931, Ze'ev Jabotinsky was elected as rosh Betar ('head of Betar') at the first world conference in Danzig. This marked a significant leadership role within the Betar movement.

Adolf Hitler's rise to power in Germany in 1933 led to a surge in Zionist support and Jewish immigration to Palestine, as the belief that Jews could live securely in European societies was shattered.

In 1934, Chaim Weizmann made attempts to extend Zionist colonization beyond British Mandated Palestine, seeking support from French Mandate authorities for settlement plans in Syria and Lebanon.

In September 1935, Vicco von Bülow-Schwante highlighted the alignment of Zionist and Nazi interests in facilitating Jewish emigration from Germany, despite the Nazis not supporting a Jewish State. The Nazis viewed Zionism as a means to gradually eliminate Jews from Germany.

In 1936, the Zionist movement faced challenges due to Palestinian Arab opposition and anti-British violence, leading to further splits on how to address the opposition.

The Peel Commission recommended dividing Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, along with the transfer of Palestinians from the land allocated to the Jewish state.

In 1938, Ben-Gurion made statements reflecting the Zionist objective of channeling fleeing European Jewish citizens to Palestine to establish a Jewish majority state. This was part of the larger goal of creating a Jewish homeland.

The 1939 White Paper marked a significant rift between British support for Zionism and the escalating tensions in Palestine due to the Arab revolt. The paper's restrictions on Jewish immigration to Palestine further complicated the plight of Jewish refugees from Nazi Germany.

In 1940, a group led by Avraham Stern, later known as Lehi, split from the Irgun due to disagreements over fighting the British. Lehi believed in more aggressive tactics against the British in Palestine.

The Biltmore Conference marks a shift in Zionist policy, advocating for the establishment of Palestine as a Jewish Commonwealth rather than just a homeland, setting a new goal for the movement.

The uprising in the Warsaw Ghetto in January 1943 involved both right- and left-leaning Zionist organizations, with Mordechai Anielewicz, a Socialist-Zionist, as its commander. Zionists of all political backgrounds played a significant role in the resistance.

The Warsaw Ghetto Uprising continued into April 1943, with left-leaning survivors eventually founding two Kibbutzim in Palestine, Lohamei HaGeta'ot and Yad Mordechai.

The One Million Plan becomes the official Zionist policy, outlining the goal of bringing one million Jewish immigrants to Palestine.

In 1945, President Truman sent Earl G. Harrison to Europe to assess the situation of Jewish survivors after World War II. Harrison reported that there were unofficial movements of people that would require force to prevent, as many were desperate and willing to do anything to reach their end.

The Irgun militant group bombed the King David Hotel in Jerusalem, resulting in the tragic deaths of 91 people.

On November 29, 1947, the United Nations proposed the partition of Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states, along with the internationalization of Jerusalem.

The Irgun, along with Lehi, conducted the Deir Yassin massacre on April 9, 1948, leading to the deaths of over 100 Palestinian Arabs, including women and children.

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declared the establishment of the State of Israel, leading to its independence. This declaration had profound implications for the region.

The Jerusalem Law was enacted by the Israeli Knesset in 1980, declaring Jerusalem as the united and eternal capital of Israel. This move was met with international controversy.

The Law of Return was enacted in Israel in 1949, granting Jews the right to immigrate to Israel and become citizens. It aimed to facilitate the ingathering of Jewish exiles.

The Six-Day War was fought between Israel and the neighboring states of Egypt, Jordan, and Syria in June 1967. Israel achieved a swift and decisive victory, resulting in territorial gains.

The 28th Zionist Congress in Jerusalem in 1968 adopted the Jerusalem Program, outlining the aims of contemporary Zionism. These principles included the unity of the Jewish people, ingathering in Israel, strengthening the State of Israel, and preserving Jewish identity.

In 1975, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 3379, declaring Zionism as a form of racism and racial discrimination. This resolution was later rescinded in 1991 by Resolution 4686.

The election of 1977, characterized as 'the revolution', brought the nationalistic, right-wing Likud Party to power in Israel. This marked a significant shift in Israeli politics towards the political right.

The Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty was signed in 1979, leading to the normalization of relations between Egypt and Israel. It was the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country.

In 1987, a political campaign by Israeli and American Jewish organizations, aided by the Reagan administration, led to the release of Soviet refusniks from prison and allowed them to emigrate to Israel.

Resolution 3379 equating Zionism with racism is revoked by Resolution 4686.

The Oslo Accords were signed in 1993, providing a framework for peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. They aimed to establish a process for achieving a lasting peace.

In 2001, the Green Zionist Alliance, the first environmental Zionist organization, was established by American and Israeli environmentalists. The organization focuses on environmental issues in Israel and the region.

Adam Garfinkle presented a lecture on the origins of the Palestine Mandate, discussing the historical background and context of the mandate.

Bernard Wasserstein presented a lecture on the partition of Palestine, exploring the events and implications of the partition.

The essay by Liora Halperin discusses the origins and development of Zionism, focusing on the lecture she delivered at FPRI's Butcher History Institute in 2014.

Iran pledges to retaliate against the 'Zionist regime' following an attack on an Iranian consulate attributed to Israel.

Israel announces that 99% of the drones and missiles launched by Iran were intercepted.

The UN Secretary-General urges for immediate de-escalation in the Middle East.

Netanyahu declares that Israel will determine how to react to Iran's warning against retaliation.