Socialism, Zionism and the State of Israel

Abstract

This chapter examines the often negative approach adopted by socialists towards manifestations of Jewish national or group identity. Whilst most socialists advocated Jewish assimilation, it is argued that in practice there was a wide spectrum of ideas concerning Zionism and the legitimacy of a Jewish national state in Palestine. Moreover, socialists regularly distinguished between the maximalist Zionist aspiration to settle all Jews in Palestine/Israel, and the more minimalist Zionist goal to create and preserve a Jewish national homeland or refuge in Palestine/Israel. Most socialists were reluctant to endorse the former goal, but many supported the latter.