Lisa! said:
But there must be another differences. Zionists say they want to set up a Jewish state in Israel because somehow it's their religious duty.(please correct my mistake if I'm wrong about that) So I can't understand why all Jews don't suppport them!
Russ answered that question well, maybe I can provide a little insight into my view of Zionism.
There's religious Zionists as well as non-religious Zionists. Some Zionists believe in a larger Israel, comprising of the territory that made biblical Israel, and some believe Israel should be confined to the territory it held prior to the 6-day war. These are a few difficult questions that have never been agreed upon by all Zionists. There's also Labor Zionism and Revisionist Zionism and other conflicting ideas.
My grandparents moved to Israel in the beginning of the 20th century because they realized Jews should have a homeland. This had nothing to do with religion. European Jews were persecuted at every stage of history, and so many tried to assimilate into their societies, living a secular life which imitated that of their neighbours'. My great-grandfather for example was an officer in the Kaiser's Army, who served during the entire world war, and a prominent Viennese Lawyer. However, that didn't help avoid the persecution - Jews still faced racism and hatred. Some then realized they must have their own country if they ever want to be truly accepted anywhere. The obvious choice was Palestine - it was quite desolate and under the control of the decaying Ottoman Empire. Some Jews started buying lands and lobbying with Ottoman, Austrian and other leaders and politicians in order to gain lands in Palestine to start building a homeland. My grandmother, even though she lacked nothing in her life as an Austrian, decided as a teenager to come and help build a Jewish state in Palestine, as did many other European Jews. She attended a short preparation in a farm in Europe, where she learned basic agriculture, and came to Palestine when she was 17 years old. She was part of a small group that was positioned in legally bought land that was mainly swampland. These groups are called Kibbutzim (plural for
Kibbutz), and were usually secular socialist communities. They set up camp on a hill and began planting eucalypts in the swampland around it. The eucalypts were used all over Israel since they grow quickly and regulate water in the soil - they dry swampland quickly and can still survive years of drought. As land began to dry they planted crops. Many got Malaria (my grandmother caught it a few times) and were sent to special recovery hospices established solely for the recovery of Malaria suffering settlers. They brought in water and supplies from the closest town by horse, until they dug a well and the crops began to grow. The first building built was made a mess hall until some couples had babies and then it was made into a nursery. Parents were allowed to see their children for a limited time every day, and their caretaker was issued more food than others and was forbidden all sorts of things deemed unhealthy, so that the children would not catch any diseases in these difficult conditions. As more and more land became cropland some neighbouring Palestinian families moved permanently to a nearby site usually inhabited only in summertime. They had quite good relations with the Kibbutz until the hostilities prior to the
War of Independence.
After a few more communal buildings were built they could afford to start building houses. They also started more intensive farmwork, such as growing livestock and poultry. Since they were secular they even bred pigs, but that was later stopped. Factories were started, making barrels and canned food. A contract to supply Jam to the British Army during the mandate meant a great expansion to the canned foods factory, which grew ever since and today it is one of the largest in Israel, in a partnership with Coca-Cola and exporting all over the world.
Today, most Kibbutz-dwellers are dovish Labor voters, in favour of establishing a Palestinian state. They're quite content with what's been achieved so far and see no need to pursue any more territorial expansion. I believe modern Zionism should concentrate on strengthening the Israeli state and society, by ending the conflict and establishing a flourishing middle-east, as was laid out By Shimon Peres in
"The New Middle East". Israel has the share of problems that other countries face, and the conflict with the Palestinians means these problems aren't getting the attention they deserve. I think religion is too dominant in the state, and would like to see it become more liberal.
That's the type of Zionism I hold. I suppose a religious Zionist will have a different view of Zionism, as would a modern Jewish settler.
