Zionism is the national movement of the Jewish people with the aim of establishing and securing a sovereign homeland in the historic Land of Israel. The connection to the Land of Israel has been a central element of Jewish identity, culture, and religious practice since antiquity – across continents and millennia. Modern Zionism builds on this historical continuity and combines it with the political aspiration for self-determination, which led to the founding of the State of Israel in 1948.
Reclaim Zionism
Why “Reclaim Zionism”?
Antisemitism today takes many forms – one of the central ones is Israel-related antisemitism and the associated distortion of the term Zionism. “Zionist” is increasingly used as a defamatory code word for Jews, in order to disguise antisemitic narratives. This deliberate or unconscious distortion fuels hostility and creates a social climate in which Jewish life is questioned or threatened.
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The numbers speak for themselves: According to the 2023 annual report by RIAS, 71% of antisemitic incidents in Germany after October 7, 2023, were attributed to Israel-related antisemitism. This underscores how urgently fact-based education about Zionism is needed in order to counter prejudice and hatred.
Zionism is an expression of Jewish self-determination, emancipation, and the striving for protection from persecution. It encompasses a broad spectrum of political ideologies and social movements – from socialist to far-right, from secular to ultra-Orthodox. Naturally, not every position or group that identifies as Zionist or is labeled as such reflects our values. Therefore, we make it clear: we explicitly distance ourselves from all forms of hatred and stand for the Jewish people’s right to self-determination in a democratic state with equal rights for all its citizens.
One thing is clear: a factual, nuanced engagement with Zionism is not only a matter of historical accuracy, but also an essential prerequisite for an open, democratic society. Knowledge can be a powerful tool against hate – and a crucial foundation for protecting the Jewish community.
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