Zionism

Definition

Jewish nationalism, the movement which supported first the establishment of a Jewish homeland and now supports the continuation of Israel as a Jewish state.

Etymology

From Zion + -ism, calqued in analogy to German Zionismus, coined by Nathan Birnbaum in 1890.

Example Sentences

• "These investigations indicate that although a large proportion of American Jews call themselves Zionists, their meanings of Zionism are closer to what some investigators have called pro-Israelism. According to the still common Israeli definition of a Zionist as one who views the Diaspora negatively and considers the settlement of Jews in Israel as essential, the vast majority of American Jews would not be considered Zionists."