How the Israeli Government Is Betraying Zionism
“Betrayal” is the fitting term for what the current ruling coalition in Israel is doing to the core values of Zionism. There is hope that the end of the war in Gaza might offer a chance for Israel to reverse this dangerous course, but German historian Michael Brenner reminds us of the original vision of Zionism’s founders.
The Founding Vision
The founding fathers of Zionism, from across the political spectrum, imagined a democratic Jewish state. Their portraits still look down from the walls in Israel—Theodor Herzl, the pioneer of political Zionism; David Ben-Gurion, Israel’s first prime minister; and Vladimir Zeev Jabotinsky, the ideological forefather of the right-wing Likud party.
Current Reality Contrasts Founders’ Ideals
However, the ideas they championed are now deeply betrayed by those in power.
- Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing and religious coalition partners have abandoned the fundamental principles of Zionism.
- The long-standing Zionist ideal is losing respect, even among many of its supporters.
“They claim that Zionism is racism and colonialism. But be careful: don’t hold the fathers responsible for the deeds of their sons. To understand what Zionism is, we must remember what it once meant to many millions of Jews.”
The disconnect between the founding ideals and the current actions threatens to tarnish Zionism’s legacy and alienate many who once believed in its original purpose.
Author’s summary: The current Israeli leadership betrays Zionism’s founding democratic ideals, risking the movement’s reputation and alienating its supporters worldwide.