Zionism & the Jerusalem Program
Adopted in 1968 at the 27th World Zionist Congress in Jerusalem, the five-point Jerusalem Program is aimed to redifine aims, ideals and principles of Zionism. Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewish people, brought about the establishment of the State of Israel, and views a Jewish, Zionist, democratic and secure State of Israel to be the expression of the common responsibility of the Jewish people for its continuity and future.
In eighty years of political and educational activity, Zionism managed to inculcate into the consciousness of our people several basic values:
- The recognition of the basic solidarity of the Jewish people, with a common destiny, which transcends geographical and cultural barriers. We are One People - Am Echad, with each of its parts responsible for the others;
- The recognition that the survival of the Jewish people is a supreme and absolute Jewish and universal value, and that this nation is worthy and obligated to exist forever. Hence, the absolute rejection of any form of assimilation;
- The recognition that the Jewish people must achieve national sovereignty in its historic homeland. Hence, the overriding obligation of every Zionist to strengthen the State of Israel through personal Aliyah to Israel;
- The recognition of the centrality of the State of Israel in the life of the Jewish people because Israel alone is the living expression of all these values, and because she constitutes the focus for worldwide Jewish identification.
Some of these values pre-date the Zionist Movement, but Zionism gave them a new impetus and national validity, and, through them, led to the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, and the ingathering of millions of Jews in their ancient homeland. In short, the following foundations of Zionism are manifested in the Jerusalem Program:
- The unity of the Jewish people, its bond to its historic homeland Eretz Yisrael, and the centrality of the State of Israel and Jerusalem, its capital, in the life of the nation;
- Aliyah to Israel from all countries and the effective integration of all immigrants into Israeli Society.
- Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist and democratic state and shaping it as an exemplary society with a unique moral and spiritual character, marked by mutual respect for the multi-faceted Jewish people, rooted in the vision of the prophets, striving for peace and contributing to the betterment of the world.
- Ensuring the future and the distinctiveness of the Jewish people by furthering Jewish, Hebrew and Zionist education, fostering spiritual and cultural values and teaching Hebrew as the national language;
- Nurturing mutual Jewish responsibility, defending the rights of Jews as individuals and as a nation, representing the national Zionist interests of the Jewish people, and struggling against all manifestations of anti-Semitism;
- Settling the country as an expression of practical Zionism
There is more detailed information about Zionism and Israel inside the "Israel Week" section of the Educational Resources. Or you can follow the link below for yet another useful educational resource about Zionism.
