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Zionism is a worldwide Jewish movement that led to the establishment and development of the state of Israel, now supporting it as a Jewish homeland. It is a political movement aimed at creating and sustaining a national homeland for Jews in Palestine, focused on the modern state's growth.
Zionism also refers to the policy encouraging Jews to return to Palestine from the Diaspora, rooted in the belief that Jews should have their own nation—Jewish nationalism.
Zionism gained considerable support among Jews and others in the early 20th century, culminating in the establishment of the state of Israel in the late 1940s. The movement faces opposition primarily from most Arabs (see Arab-Israeli conflict).
Following the violent Hamas attack on Israel two years ago, Palestinian supporters disrupted a commemoration at Pomona College, claiming that
“Zionism is a death cult that must be dealt with accordingly.”
When British officials exclude peaceful supporters of an Israeli team instead of addressing those posing threats, they unintentionally revive the conflicts Zionism aimed to resolve.
In 2017, the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) distanced itself from its socialist Zionist roots by endorsing the BDS movement, accompanied by chants of
“From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.”
Zionism is a complex political and cultural movement that established Israel but remains highly controversial amid ongoing regional and ideological conflicts.