Zionism is one of the most misunderstood concepts in modern discourse — and one of the most misrepresented. At its core, Zionism is the belief that the Jewish people — like all peoples — have the right to self-determination and safety in their ancestral homeland: the Land of Israel.
This article offers a clear explanation of what Zionism is, what it isn’t, and how to understand common phrases like “Free Palestine” in today’s context.
A Movement for Self-Determination
Zionism affirms that the Jewish people are not only a religious community, but also a people with deep historic, cultural, and spiritual ties to the Land of Israel — and with the right to build a sovereign state there. This is a right recognized for all peoples under international law, and one long denied to the Jewish people.
Zionism is not about conquest or domination. It is not about superiority over others. At its core, it is about dignity, survival, and belonging.
Zionism ≠ Any One Government or Policy
Being a Zionist doesn’t mean you support the current Israeli government or agree with every policy or military action. Just as Americans can love their country without endorsing every administration, Zionists can be deeply critical of Israeli leadership while still believing in the legitimacy of Israel as a Jewish homeland.
A Deep Historical and Spiritual Connection
For thousands of years, the hope of return to Zion has been central to Jewish prayer, ritual, and identity. When Jews say “L’shana haba’a b’Yerushalayim” (“Next year in Jerusalem”) at the end of Passover, or pray for a “new light to shine on Zion,” they are expressing a deep yearning for peace and restoration. Jewish holidays are tied to the agricultural rhythms of Israel. Our tradition faces east — toward the land from which we came.
Zionism is not a modern invention. It’s the political expression of an ancient longing.
A Broader Definition
From Encyclopedia Britannica:
“Zionism [is] a Jewish nationalist movement with the goal of the creation and support of a Jewish national state in Palestine, the ancient homeland of the Jews.”
From the American Zionist Movement:
“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.”
– AZM on Zionism
From the Anti-Defamation League (ADL):
“Zionism is the movement for the self-determination and statehood for the Jewish people in their ancestral homeland, the land of Israel. Being a Zionist is distinct from supporting the policies of the government of Israel.”
— ADL on Zionism
What Does “Free Palestine” Mean?
Calls to “Free Palestine” can mean different things to different people — and it’s important to ask what is actually being demanded.
For some, it’s a call for the establishment of a Palestinian state alongside Israel — a vision consistent with the two-state solution supported by many Israelis and Palestinians, as well as the U.S. and much of the international community.
For others, particularly when paired with the slogan “From the River to the Sea,” it is a call for the elimination of Israel and the displacement of its Jewish population. That interpretation directly contradicts any vision of coexistence.
The phrase “Free Palestine” isn’t inherently antisemitic. But the goals and methods behind it can vary widely — and it’s critical to understand what’s being advocated.
A Painful Reality: Gaza and the Collapse of Hope
In 2005, Israel unilaterally withdrew from the Gaza Strip with the hope that Palestinians would begin to build the foundations of a peaceful state. In the democratic elections that followed, Hamas — designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and others — came to power, canceled future elections, and diverted international aid toward weapons and tunnels rather than education or infrastructure.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists launched the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust — murdering over 1,500 people, including civilians from more than 30 countries, and taking Israeli and foreign hostages, dozens of whom remain in captivity. The horror of that day continues to shape how Israelis and Jews around the world understand security, peace, and survival.
The Bottom Line
At A Wider Bridge, we believe in human dignity, freedom, and coexistence. We oppose war, oppression, and the erasure of any people — anywhere.
If you support an end to the war in Gaza, the safe return of Israeli hostages, and the creation of a Palestinian state that can live peacefully beside Israel — you’re not anti-Zionist. You’re a peace-seeking Zionist.
Many Jews and many Israelis still hold out hope for a future where both peoples live in freedom and dignity — not in spite of Zionism, but because of it.