Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Brent Cooper
1
On August 31st, 1897, the First Zionist Congress concluded in Basel, Switzerland, under the
auspices of the secular Jew Theodor Herzl. Its purpose was to establish a Jewish state in
Palestine. Today the realization of this dream is called Israel and it is one of the most contentious
places on Earth. Then, as now, there was great controversy over the motives and means of this
movement. Nevertheless, Zionism was pursued under the influence of a handful of demagogues
who thrived on the fears and passions of oppressed Jews. Textual evidence supports the idea that
the congress polarized the Jewish community into those who supported Herzl’s vision of
Zionism and everyone else. The only matter that is not in dispute is what actually took place.
Contemporary and historical accounts scarcely differ. However, the tone of discourse in 1897
portrays an appeal to reason that has since been silenced by modern analysis. The significance of
this event was not that it represented a hope for Jewish emancipation, but rather the official
Valuable historical insight can be gained into the minds of the time by reviewing a 1897 London
Times correspondence between two prominent Jews: Mr. Simon and Mr. Gaster. Mr. Simon, a
respected figure in English Judaism, contended that Jews were rightly home wherever they were
born and rejected Gaster’s literal interpretation of Jewish prophecy.1 Mr. Gaster, arguing
fervently, erroneously painted Simon’s arguments as a denial of the suffering of the Jews and
hastily concluded that whatever this Zionist movement amounted to was ‘God’s will’ and should
continue.2 Naturally, Simon was correct in his assertion that the Jews should fight for their
emancipation wherever they are, just as they had successfully done in London.3 Modern accounts
1
The London Times. September 4, 1897
2
Gaster, M. "The Zionist Congress." The London Times, September 1, 1897.
3
Simon, Oswald John. "The Zionist Congress." The London Times, Sept. 3, 1897.
2
emphasize the same argument as Simon but in a slightly different form, citing the ‘Protest
Rabbis’ contention that Judaism obliges its followers to serve the nation (state) it is born unto.4
Simon’s cosmopolitan view is marginalized in modern analysis because in this case it is more
constructive to emphasize political arguments rather than philosophical arguments. When Simon
labeled the Zionist movement unorthodox, Gaster simply replied that Simon knew nothing of
orthodoxy.5 But speaking volumes in favor of Mr. Simon’s stance, the high authority of Jewish
orthodoxy in Britain, Dr. Adler, called the congress “an egregious blunder.”6 This example of
polarization is downplayed in historical accounts. Instead, the focus lies on the internal
contradictions of Zionism and the subsequent resolution of those problems. Case in point, this
first congress deliberated on the organizational structure, purpose, and logistics of legally
securing Palestine, and was declared a success afterwards.7 Modern commentary states how
Herzl intentionally made the plan for the congress vague but the direction clear. This is precisely
the reason that no outside objections are validated in the congress or in historical accounts about
the congress; it is implicit that everyone there is already committed to a Jewish state in some
form.
In contemporary times commentators did not see the issue as politicized. However, modern
analysis observes that it was politicized long before anybody knew it. It was well known at the
time that Theodor Herzl’s ambitions were racially and politically motivated as opposed to
religiously.8 This did not stop moderate Zionists from supporting him, or even fundamentalists
4
Haumann, Heiko, and Peter Haber. The First Zionist Congress in 1897, pp. 144-145
5
Simon, Oswald John. "The Zionist Congress." The London Times, Sept. 3, 1897.
6
The London Times. September 4, 1897
7
Haumann, The First Zionist Congress in 1897, pp. 146-147
8
Sicherman , H. Theodor Herzl: An Appreciation. Foreign Policy Research Institute.
3
from joining the cause. Others like the ‘Protest Rabbis’, exclaimed this was in contradiction to
Jewish scripture and was morally wrong.9 The stated reason for the movement was for the
protection of the Jewish people from persecution whether it was based on race or religion.10
Conversely, modern accounts recollect that Herzl was not personally exposed to a lot of anti-
semitism.11 Furthermore, Herzl’s lack of knowledge about Judaism dismayed many devotees.12
Herzl’s motives are evident in hindsight by studying the stratagems he used. For starters, the
architects of the movement did not only seek young recruits to give an aura of vitality, but Herzl
himself “envisioned middle-class Jewish youth as the vanguard of Zionism.”13 Large efforts were
undertaken to ‘Zionize’ the atmosphere in Basel; they drank Jewish wine, sang Jewish songs, and
exalted Jewish symbols and heroes.14 One modern author praises the solidarity and ritualism;
Herzl’s colleagues planned the event to manifest camaraderie through “total immersion in a
national Jewish world.”15 The First Zionist Congress was a microcosm of the culture they hoped
What the modern analysis fails to observe, and the contemporary views grasp, is that this
congregation was nothing short of anti-Gentile and would serve to exacerbate racial tensions,
among other problems.17 The London Times had substantiated Simon’s clairvoyance but it was
already too late; the Zionists would proceed without the support of a majority from international
Jewry. To this effect, one modern author observes the contradiction between how “Zionism
9
Haumann, Heiko, and Peter Haber. The First Zionist Congress in 1897, p. 147
10
Ibid., p. 148
11
Sicherman , H. Theodor Herzl
12
Ibid.
13
Berkowitz, Michael. Zionist Culture and West European Jewry Before the First World War, p. 11
14
Ibid., p.38
15
Ibid., p.38
16
Ibid., p.8
17
The London Times. September 4, 1897
4
already styled itself as a government in exile…” and displayed “extra-territorial Zionist culture
[that] affirmed that Zion could exist anywhere that Jews gathered in peace.”18 The author notes
that this incongruity continued to characterize the debate however also drew attention away from
the fact that the legitimate hope for the emancipation of the Jewish people was being undermined
by a desperate political campaign.19 Rather than let the movement grow on its own merit, it was
driven by Herzl’s ego. Well known in historical records, and perhaps only speculated by Simon
and his contemporaries, Herzl wrote in his diary after the congress: “In Basel I founded the
Jewish State.”20 He was speaking prematurely of course, but his assertion would eventually come
true.
Unfortunately revisiting the First Zionist Congress does little to end the strife in the present day
Jewish ‘homeland,’ but it offers us a glimpse into how these religious movements quickly
become politicized and can act as a caveat to future nationalist ambitions. Likewise, from a
sensible 111 year old letter to the editor of the London Times, the ignored voice of reason echoes
across time. Alas, Herzl died just after the Sixth Zionist Congress, perhaps galvanizing the
Zionists to further action, for history has shown us time and time again that no voice speaks
louder and with more conviction than that of the followers of a venerated dead man. Generally,
historians record this event with strict objectivity, but it is perhaps those affected by it most that
remember it incorrectly. So listen carefully, lest we forget that not only did the majority of Jews
18
Berkowitz, Michael. Zionist Culture and West European Jewry Before the First World War, p. 39
19
Ibid., p. 39
20
Haumann, Heiko, and Peter Haber. The First Zionist Congress in 1897, p. 148
5
Bibliography
Berkowitz, Michael. Zionist Culture and West European Jewry Before the First World War..
New York: University of Cambridge, 1993.
Gaster, M. "The Zionist Congress." The London Times, September 1, 1897. Proquest Historical
Databases (accessed March 1, 2008).
Haumann, Heiko, and Peter Haber. The First Zionist Congress in 1897: Causes, Significance,
Topicality. New York: Karger, 1997.
Simon, Oswald John. "The Zionist Congress." The London Times, Aug. 30, 1897. Proquest
Historical Databases (accessed March 1, 2008).
Simon, Oswald John. "The Zionist Congress." The London Times, Sept. 3, 1897. Proquest
Historical Databases (accessed March 1, 2008).
The London Times. September 4, 1897. "no title [editorial]". Proquest Historical Databases
(accessed March 1, 2008).