Zionism on the Peace Process

¶ … Zionism on the peace process between Israel and Palestinians brief history and forms of Zionism

Brief history of Jewish way to the own state

Creating an own state - Israel

The history of Israeli territory

Arab anti-Semitism and conflicts

When talking about such complicated and very uneasy question as Zionism is, we have to research the process during which it was formed and developed. Zionism is rather spread among Jews and has many followers among both Israelites and Jewish Diaspora because many "religious Jews today possess the sole remaining form of Jewish nationalism with any of the basic building blocks of a living idea:(Yoram Hazony, the Zionist Idea and Its Enemies).

Unfortunately practically all countries blame Jews for being Zionists as they find this movement dangerous and aggressive, but they don't want to understand the reasons of such Jewish reaction on aggression against them and nobody even tries to find out who Zionists are in fact and what aims do they have. Even many Jews living in their young state Israel don't like Zionists and blame them for their aggression against Palestinians but they don't know or just don't want to know that Israel appeared on the political map only because of Zionists' activists who dreamed about creating their own state not to suffer from citizens (we have to remember Czarist Russia, Soviet Union and Nazi Germany) of other countries they were forced to live in. Unfortunately "the majority of Orthodox Jews of the world have not accepted Zionist ideology, which does advocate human endeavour on behalf of the establishment of a Jewish national state" (Hertzberg, Arthur the Fate of Zionism: A Secular Future for Israel & Palestine p. 2).

To begin with let us refer to the origins of Zionism, its ideology and philosophy and also different forms of this movement.

Jewish scientists divide Zionism into the following orientations:

Political Zionism valued international contacts and considered international guarantees to create Jewish state in Palestine as the main condition of fulfilling Zionists' plans. This orientation of Zionism is associated with Benjamin Theodore Herzl who found Jewish problem political to be of such kind that could be only solved in cooperation with major countries of the world. Zionist movement was organized during Basal congress in 1897 and proclaimed a program according to which Jewish nation had a right to have "a public shelter in the land of Palestine." In other words Zionist leaders established a Zionist program, which had to create a Jewish state protected by international law and let Jews live and work in their own country.

Practical Zionism had more active program, which could be fulfilled by Jews separately from other nations' will. It foresaw colonization of Palestinian land, creation of agricultural settlements, establishment of own state organs, educational system, justice etc. At the beginning of the 20th century after all plans to create a state had failed this form of Zionism became one of the most effective: many Jews went to Palestine and settler there and we should be grateful to them for their small settlements became modern developed cities nowadays.

Synthetic Zionism (was formed in 1907 during the 4th Zionist Congress) is an independent form of Zionism and can be considered as a combination of political and practical forms. Its program called Jews to use both methods: combine political activities with practical ones. Synthetic Zionists valued propaganda in Jewish Diaspora: spreading modern knowledge, uniting all Jews wherever they were... Synthetic Zionism is characterized now with the principles of political realism, cooperation, and new way of thinking according to current situation. Very soon after 10th Zionist Congress this form became dominant and now it is the most spread Zionist movement.

Socialistic Zionists (was formed at the end of 19th century) planned to unite and strengthen Jewish nation using combination of Socialism and Zionism. Followers of this movement were not sure that Jews could solve all their problems in case of Socialistic revolutions in the countries they lived in, but to solve the problem of Jewish nation they needed to settle in one place, be united and go in future only under the conditions of cooperation. Ber Vorokhov (famous follower of this Zionist orientation) was convinced that all Jews would have to go and settle in Palestine because of development of Capitalist relations in the world, especially in Europe. But Socialistic Zionist movement was not united: it was separated in two parts (some of them considered themselves more Zionists than Socialists; another part of them used Marxist ideology).

Revisionist Zionism is a continuation of Political Zionism, which was improved by Vladimir Zhabotinskiy's ideas (Zhabotinskiy created a Union of Revisionists in 1925). Revisionists demanded radicalization of Zionist activities and wanted to force Great Britain to let Jews create their state on both banks of Jordan River. Also Zhabotinskiy required organization of Jewish armed units and gain of Jewish majority in Palestine. So, Revisionists were the most radical Zionists and were ready to use any methods to gain their wished result - creating the state Israel.

Religious Zionism is a particular orientation, which had an aim of uniting all Jews using their common religion in order to help them start independent life on their own land. This orientation was established in 1904 when religious leaders gathered during the first Congress and proclaimed the program, which announced that Israeli lands may belong only to Jews. Also creation of national religious education is a result of Jewish religious leaders' activities. Even now Religious Zionists' participation in modern Israel's politics is really important and they have an influence over all political decisions.

Spiritual Zionism can be considered as cultural Zionism, which proclaimed all problems of Jewish nation to be the results of their losses in spiritual sphere, culture. As Ginsberg thought, the main condition of development of Jewish nation was development of their unique culture, traditions, preservation it from assimilation. He was sure that Jewish State was not able to solve all problems, as it was not able to help all Jews. So, the main way out of this situation was creation of a national cultural center, which could unite all Jews: both in Israel and Diaspora.

But still there exist misunderstanding between religious Jewish leaders and supporter of Zionism, as most of Zionist principles contradict holly scriptures. As Zionists proclaim unity of Jews on the base of ethnic heritage and religious origins of Judaism, the fact that Zionist ideology contradicts religious concepts of Judaism, puts it on the same place with chauvinistic and nationalist ideologies and describes them as oppressors even by respected rabbis. Torah and Talmud, fundamental religious scriptures of Judaism are against Zionism. In the prayer "Mussaf" it says: "because of our sins we were exiled from our country and set apart from our land." One of the main principles of Judaism says that the history of Jewish nation is not a result of random coincidence of circumstances, but the outcomes of the sins of Jews. So it's understood, as Torah says, that only repentance can free Jews from exile. it's stated in Talmud that God ordered Jews: not to rebel against other nations, not to resettle to Israel widely and not to approach the time of deliverance. Jewish rabbis who accept these concepts also bring to evidence well-known facts from Israeli history: sons of Ephraim, who tried to escape from Egypt before the time, perished; those who rebelled against Rome failed and were executed as well. They say, that conflicts in modern Israel are the execution of the prophecies. it's an important fact and it had to be mentioned in order to give a full picture of tendencies under which the Jewish state was established.

So, as we can see Zionists were not united but they all worked to create their common state - Israel that united their hearts because creation of a new state was a very hard work, which could not be fulfilled without cooperation.

Jewish people fought for their right to have own state and their struggle was extremely tragic: no other nation in the world had never suffered as much as Jews did. We have to remember that Jewish population in pre-revolutionary Russia didn't have the same rights Russians had. After revolution in this country (where the most numerous Jewish population lived) Poland (another homeland for millions of Jews) became an independent state and situation improved. Russian Jews also improved their situation during V. Lenin's regime but Lenin was Marx's follower and could not respect Zionism because it.".. was not difficult to fit into it the concept of Zionism as a form of colonialism and the Zionist state as an outpost of imperialism"

Ravitzky, Aviezer Messianism, Zionism and Jewish religious radicalism p.197).

Later, when Soviet leader died a bloody struggle for power began. Lev Trotsky and Joseph Stalin fought for the Kremlin office and as we know Jew Trotsky had to leave Russia and was murdered by Stalin's agent in Mexico. Another era began in Soviet Union: Stalin famous for his anti-Semitic point-of-view oppressed millions of Jews and anti-Semitism was found some kind of Soviet politics because being anti-Semite was popular and respectable.

Another tragic page of Jewish history is tragic period of Holocaust. There's no need to explain those terrible times and German crimes - these facts are well-known but I have to mention that Jewish Zionists managed organizing resistance to the Nazi regime and also they gained success cooperating with British, Soviet and American governments which agreed and let Jews create their state after the war. "Among the few European Jews who escaped the Holocaust were Zionists who emigrated to Palestine" (Shmuel; Reinharz, Jehuda Zionism and Religion Among, p.122). They were happy to leave Europe that was their real homeland but after Hitler's crimes they got sure that having own state, which would protect its citizens, is the best way out from international violence and anger directed against Jewish nation.

1948 was a turning point of Jewish history. At last Jewish nation created an own state on their historical land - Israel. "The aspiration of returning to their homeland was first held by Jews exiled to Babylon some 2,500 years ago - a hope which subsequently became a reality" (Paul Charles Christian attitude towards the State of Israel Merkely, p.32). After this great event the main task of Zionism was proclaimed to be "strengthening of Israel, repatriation of exiles of the land of Israel and care about the unity and prosperity of Jewish nation." Only strong country could let "Jews be safe from the waves of oppression which had occurred in virtually every country in which they had lived, especially in the West"(Zunes, Stephen Defending Zionism in a Time of Occupation and Oppression). UN ratified Jews decision for self-determination and legalized their new state- the state of Israel on the territory of Palestine. The UN's resolution about Israel got positive feedbacks from different states all over the world but I don't think some of them were really sincere, for example Soviet Union. As Paul Starobin wrote in his article Rethinking Zionism: "The establishment of a Jewish state even won support from the Soviet Union, a Communist nation and Cold War rival" but many historians (including Soviet and Russian) admit that that was not a usual support: in fact Soviets wanted Israel to be an ally and use it in own imperialistic interests to resist American influence in the region. But Soviets failed and Israel became really independent state, which started to create Capitalism but not Communist utopia. Many people were glad of that but they didn't understand that another nation in the Middle and Close East was under Soviet influence - Arabs. They were supported by Soviet Union and Soviet leader Nikita Krushev who wanted to throw America back from the region but to do this he had to destruct Jewish state which cooperated with U.S. Soviet Union supported Arabs and sent them military machines, machineguns, ammunition to fight against Jewish nation.

But having their own state on the territory which belonged to this nation (to Arabs) for many centuries was a big problem as well: these lands were inhabited by Arabs who lived there for centuries and didn't want to let Jews take "their" lands. That was and still remains one of the main problems of world politics: Jewish problem of a nation without a state was substituted by a new one of the same importance - Arabs who lived in Palestine lost their home territory and sovereignty. Sure, Jews were found aggressors and all Arabs promised to terminate the state hated by all their leaders and common Arabs.

When analyzing Palestinian point-of-view we can find out that every Arab is convinced that West (evil power as they think) wages a war against Islam and Israel is an embodiment of that aggression. According to Palestinian attitude to Israel we can see that Israel is an "evil" state that fights against Palestinian patriots and calls them "terrorists" to excuse own cruel methods. Another Zionist target is capturing all Islam territories. Sure, such egoistic interpretation of this problem is unacceptable but it causes too many innocent casualties from both sizes: Palestinian and Israeli people die in absurd conflicts which could be prevented if Arab leaders wanted to know that Palestine is Jewish homeland and Bible can prove that: Jerusalem (which pretends to be spiritual capital of both Palestine and Israel) used to be a town where Solomon built a Temple of the only God for Jews. This land was captured by Babylonians and Romans and Jews suffered a lot from these bloody conquests but they fought for their motherland. But Jews could not stand occupation and rebelled and failed many times: though they fought bravely Romans were better equipped and organized. Roman leaders wanted to stamp out Jewish connection to this land that used to be called Land of Israel and called it Palestine (and sure turned it into Roman province). Small Jewish population was discriminated in the times of Arab Caliphates and Arabs managed assimilating many of them among Islamic population. These are true facts about the Land of Israel and whose land is it. But unfortunately Arabs don't wish to understand the truth and we must solve this great problem using modern international law but not violence because it can cause terrible casualties from both sides.

Now, after Arafat's death the whole world, especially Israel, worries about his successor because all relations between Israel and Palestine depend on this. If new Palestinian leader would be a person ready to stop the conflict the situation could be improved and the conflict could be stopped if Arabs would wish to terminate their terrorist formations and live in peace with Jews. Not so long ago world mass media told us about serious reorganization of Arabs' terrorists formations in Palestine which would be united under common command and this centralization can improve this terrible killing machine which uses Arabs' religious believes in their political interests. Arab anti-Semitism is a great problem and every Arab (not only Palestinian) knows the following "program" provided by Islamic world against Israel:

Capturing Palestine was Jewish aggression against al Muslims and that's why the most dangerous and serious enemy for the whole Muslim world is Palestinian territory, which Jews call Israel. All Jews are Zionists (Arabs compare it with Nazism) and they should be punished for that.

Any trade, economical or political cooperation with Jews is prohibited by Islamic laws.

Murdering Zionists (in fact - all Jews) is honourable deed and every Arab who would die for Allah killing Jews would be considered martyr.

All Muslims must help Palestinians in any form (money, weapons, terrorist recruits etc.).

So, we can see Arab attitude to Israel and its people and the main aim for all Israeli politicians was to preserve peace and mutual understanding in the country and with Palestinian inhabitants. Solving this problem when two nations consider one land as their own is a very complicated process. Zionism tried to solve it as well and it caused different forms of Zionism: minimalism, maximalism and realism. Minimalists announced that Israel was binational land inhabited by two nations and were sure that Palestine was a land belonged both to Israel and Palestine. Maximalists were their opponents and considered that Arab problem could be solved only by force and violence using only armed forces but not international agreements. I have to mention that these two Zionism forms are not very popular because they can't solve the problem according to both Israeli and Arab interests. The majority of Zionists are realists who are convinced that conflict could not be stopped but there is a chance to attenuate it. They agree with minimalists that country should develop for the benefit of all peoples living in it. Realists admit that gaining success in this process depends on dialogue with Palestinians and other Arab states which consider Israel as an enemy because it is necessary to stop the conflict when every side world agree on acceptable conditions even if they would be compromises.

Another uneasy side of this problem is that politicians talk much about solving the problem but in fact do nothing to bring peace and stop the conflict. I love the words of one famous man Chaim Kalvarisky who once said that only by common work in different spheres (commerce, agriculture and industry) two nations (Jews and Arabs) could attain mutual understanding and peace. But he also announced and it is very important that nobody even tried to cooperate. "How many Arab officials have we installed in our banks? Not even one. How many Arabs have we brought into our schools? Not even one. What commercial houses have we established in company with Arabs? Not even one." That is really frightening.

Though Israeli side is ready (as Israeli officials say) to solve this problem Jews don't see any wish from Arabs' side to solve the problem because they "continue to believe the old Muslim doctrine that any land that was once possessed by the followers" of Islam should never be left (Hertzberg, Arthur the Fate of Zionism: A Secular Future for Israel & Palestine p.21). Misunderstanding of these two nations is tragic because they don't have any contacts: they live separately in two absolutely different worlds and though politicians announce that they become closer, in fact everything is different - the distance between Jews and Arabs grows with every victim of terrorist actions and Jewish army activities in Palestine. Unfortunately many radical Zionists resist those, who consider themselves to be realists to establish peace as they don't believe Arabs would be able to live in peace with Jews. Anyway they could be excused by many Israeli citizens who suffer from terrorism practically every day.