“A people is contending here for its existence,” Herzl in 1899 and us now.

This is the third installment. You can find the first two at https://herzlcollection.com/ under the “Zionist Congresses” drop down menu.  

This project is not just a nostalgic trip down Zionism’s memory lane.

It was through these Congresses (six of which were held during the life of Theodor Herzl who is the founder of the Zionist movement) that the many important steps in the journey from Herzl’s idea of Jewish statehood to its realization were discussed, approved, reviewed and implemented.

Understanding what actually happened at the various Congresses reminds us of the objective of the Zionist movement at a time when the words “Zionist” and “Zionism” are being maliciously defined by Israel’s detractors. For Israel’s supporters, understanding the work at the Congresses reminds us of the Israel that the early Zionists envisioned, with the hope that through all the current danger and turmoil, the country can get back on track.

Like the delegates to the early Zionist Congresses, Jews around the world must feel empowered to help make that happen.

The Third Zionist Congress was held in Basel, Switzerland from August 15 to 18, 1899. This is the card that delegates and guests received on registration:

Guest Card for admission to the Third Zionist Congress. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Program for the Third Zionist Congress which is on the back for the Guest Card. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

The Congress opened with a report from Herzl of his meetings with Kaiser Wilhelm II in Constantinople, Jerusalem and Mikve Israel in October/November 1898. These meetings produced no practical results, but the fact that the Zionist case was made before the head of a great world power was of immense symbolic value.

Memorabilia relating the the Kaiser’s visit to Palestine including his meeting with Herzl are below.

Postcard depicting meeting of Theodor Herzl and Kaiser Wilhelm at Mikve Israel in Palestine in 1898.
From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Postcard from Kaiser Wilhelm’s visit to Palestine in 1898. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Postcard from Kaiser Wilhelm’s vist to Jerusalem in 1898, postmarked from the Imperial Camp that was set up in Jerusalem (with arrangements made by Thomas Cook and Son’s). From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Pamphlet issued by Thomas Cook & Son’s for the St. Louis World’s Fair (1904) which includes a description of the arrangments for the Kaiser’s visit to Palestine in 1898. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Description of tents and equipment supplied by Thomas Cook & Son’s for the Kaiser’s visit to Palestine, inlcued in a pamphlet issued for the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

The Congress also recognized that there was much work to be done to realize Herzl’s vision of a Jewish State and that its creation was not imminent.

There was a great deal of debate about the exact meaning of the “charter,” first mentioned by Herzl, and the significance of the term “public law” in the Basel Program that was adopted at the First Zionist Congress, i.e., whether the intent was a license from all the powers or only from Turkey. Herzl was persuaded to accept the latter interpretation.

Printed minutes of the proceedings at the Third Zionist Congress published in Vienna in 1899. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

It was also resolved that the Jewish Colonial Trust which was discussed at the Second Zionist Congress and was incorporated under the laws of England prior to the Third Congress would confine its settlement activities to the Land of Israel and Syria. Shares of the Jewish Colonial Trust were sold throughout the Jewish world, as the following artifacts demonstrate.

Bearer warrant entitling the holder to one common share of the Jewish Colonial Trust (1901). From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Label for the purchase of Jewish Colonial Trust share on instalemnt (Canada, early 1900s). From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Label for the purchase of Jewish Colonial Trust share on instalment (Boston). From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Label for the purchase of Jewish Colonial Trust share on instalment (England). From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Postcard seeking payment of second instalment of Jewish Colonial Trust share (New York, 1899). From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

The “practical” Zionists failed in their attempts to gain the Congress’ approval for initiating settlement activities before obtaining the “charter,” and the theoretical debates on cultural matters, which occupied several Congresses from the Second on, continued. Herzl was preoccupied with political activities, and everything outside this sphere was thrust aside. Some historians argue that Herzl was not disinterested in cultural matters but was concerned that focussing on these had the potential to split the Zionist movement in its infancy.

Jewish Chronicle article on the Third Zionist Congress dated August 25, 1899. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

On the fourth and last day of the Congress, German born delegate Davis Trietsch brought forward his plan to colonize Cyprus which was met with angry cries from Russian delegates. Herzl asked that those assembled let him finish, without success. Herzl then closed the Congress to enable it to end before the start of the Sabbath which Herzl said proved there was no antagonism between Zionism and religion.

Postcard from the Third Zionist Congress. From the Herzl and Zionism Collection of David Matlow, Toronto (www.herzlcollection.com). Photo by Kevin Viner, Elevator Digital, Toronto.

Herzl then ended the Congress by saying that much work remained to be done.

Several days earlier, Herzl delivered the opening remarks at the Congress (which can be found in the pages from the August 18, 1899 edition of The Jewish Chronicle at this link: https://herzlcollection.com/basel-1899). This excerpt from his remarks remain equally relevant today during these difficult days for Israel and for Jewish people worldwide:

“A people is contending here for its existence, its honor and its freedom. It desires to emerge from darkness into sunshine. The present situation of the Jews tends towards three directions. The first is the apathetic submission to insult and misery. The other is a revolt against a step motherly society. Ours is the third way: To soar upwards to a higher degree of civilization, to promote the general welfare, to prepare new paths for intercourse among the nations, and to seek an awakening for social justice.”

The third way was the direction that led to the creation of the State of Israel. It is the direction that Israel still needs to take.

Herzl’s words are equally relevant to preserving the Jewish State as they were to its creation.