Israel needs Zionism

The barbaric carnage of October 7th epitomizes the extreme manifestation of Palestinianism — a Jihadist political ideology rooted in Jewish hatred and the negation of the Jewish people’s right to live as sovereigns in their ancestral land. While unprecedented in scope, the October 7th neo-pogrom follows a long history of Muslim-led campaigns against the Jewish Yishuv. Shockingly, October 7th galvanized Palestinianism, spreading its destructive ideology across Europe and the woke centers of America. Despite all its hasbara efforts, Israel, to go on the offense, needs its strongest weapon: Zionism.

As French Jewish historian and antisemitism expert George Bensoussan has highlighted throughout his research, Muslim anti-Jewish hatred and violence predates Israel’s founding. In a recent essay for the French think-tank Fondapol, Bensoussan chronicles pogroms dating back to the 1830s, emphasizing their barbarity — eerily reminiscent of the Hamas attacks (Pogroms in Palestine before the Creation of the State of Israel (1830-1948), April 2024)). This ancient anti-Judaism, “rooted in Muslim origins,” resists the idea of emancipated Jews — let alone sovereign. With Israel’s establishment, this hostility shifted toward the Jewish state. “This demonological anti-Zionism masks an anti-Semitism that advocates the extermination of the Israelis as a principle. Not because of what they do, but for who they are,” Bensoussan concludes. Palestinianism has convinced historically antisemitic populations that Israel is an “abnormality.” Since October 7^th, calls for Israel’s eradication have intensified, shifting from denying its existence to actively seeking its cancellation.

Despite Israel’s reinstatement as a regional superpower, its public diplomatic battle lags well behind. Given the past 15 months, it is high time to restore Zionism as the topic forefront within Israel’s ideological struggle and continued existence. Far from being a vestige of the past, Zionism is the ongoing realization of Jewish destiny and a moral affirmation of Israel’s right to exist. Israel’s survival vindicates Zionism as the rightful, just, and moral course in history.

Though neglected by the Israeli establishment and dismissed by “new historians” and politicians post-independence, Zionism remains intrinsic to the Jewish people. In its attempts to make the Jewish state “just another country,” post-Zionist failed to grasp the full extent of the Zionist vision and phenomenon and stripped Israel of its unique ideology — one serving not only Jews but the world. To the contrary, Zionism is neither relic nor obsolete; it is a living, evolving project that binds Jews to their ancestral homeland. October 7^th shook Israel to its core but reaffirmed the relevance of Zionism to the Israeli majority.

In Israel, where earth meets skies, Zionism unites the Jewish people, the land, and the Torah, striving to make it a “light unto the nations.” This mission requires Zionism to reinvent itself, confronting modern threats while harnessing new strengths — most notably, the unity revealed in the pogrom’s aftermath. Unlike Palestinianism, rooted in hatred, Zionism stands on affirmative, just values drawn from Judaism and humanism.

The first step in Zionism’s renaissance is self-awareness, both collectively and individually. Israel must renew its commitment to Zionism, treating it as an ongoing project to strengthen the nation. Zionism must not be relegated to Diaspora affairs or NGOs — though engagement with the Diaspora remains crucial. Indeed, world Jewry and some communities’ indefectible, unconditional support provide inspiration, as many define themselves as Zionists and nurture their commitment long after making aliyah. Yet many native-born Israelis lack this awareness. Post-October 7^th, the urgency of defining a heterogeneous but unifying Zionism has crystallized. There is a clear yearning for a Zionist revival, whether in the cafes of Tel Aviv or in the synagogues of Jerusalem. According to the World Zionist Organization’s manifesto, Zionism is “dedicated to instilling the centrality of Israel and Jerusalem within Jewish consciousness, encouraging the return to Zion, building an exemplary society, expanding Zionist education, settling the land, and combating antisemitism.” This ambitious vision should be adapted and applied to Jews both in Israel and Diaspora. Israel must reclaim responsibility over Zionism and rise to this challenge with the help of Jews worldwide.

If milestones like the Basel and Balfour Declarations and May 14, 1948, marked paradigm shifts, October 7th is another such moment. It has reawakened Zionist consciousness among Israelis who once saw Zionism as an ideology of the past. Many now contribute to Zionism unknowingly — through military service, combating antisemitism, or advancing Israel’s prosperity. Rather than being a passive repository, Zionism must be central to Israel’s domestic and international policies. Initiatives such as mandatory Zionist history courses, global exchanges, think tanks, and campaigns highlighting Zionism’s positive impact must shape the future. To be successful, Zionism must become a badge of honor, infused with a yet-to-be-defined sense of “Israeliness.”

Zionism is the only authentic answer to hatred against Jews and Israel. It must be an unapologetic, transformative force, constantly evolving to fulfill the Jewish people’s destiny. Beyond Diaspora support and aliyah and settlement, Zionism should naturally draw strength from Israel’s homegrown resilience, innovation, and unity since October 7th. Alongside the bravery of our fallen heroes, Theodor Herzl’s vision remains our guiding star: “We shall live at last as free men on our own soil and in our own homes peacefully die. The world will be liberated by our freedom, enriched by our wealth, magnified by our greatness. And whatever we attempt there for our own benefit will redound mightily and beneficially to the good of all mankind.”