Habonim Dror’s Definition of Zionism

Progressive Labour Zionism as defined by Habonim Dror (Scott Wasserman & Ari Levy)

Whereas, members of HDNA have expressed disillusionment with the term “Zionism” and its ramifications on ideology and consequently movement chinuch;

Whereas, there is a perceived contradiction between humanism and Zionism;

Recognizing the historical and intellectual legacy of the Zionist movement and the diversity of definitions of Zionism that it has produced;

Recognizing Habonim Dror’s legitimate and historic role in the Zionist community that gives us the right to a unique and self constructed definition of “Zionism.”

We propose that the following be accepted as HDNA’s Zionism; hereby known as Progressive Labour Zionism:

This Progressive Labour Zionism requires the following pre-assumptions…

1)     The existence of a Jewish people no better or worse than any other.

2)     The Jewish people have historically lacked a central physical space in which to express and manifest our values, ideals and vision.

3)     Finally, by founding, maintaining, and further developing the aforementioned physical space we bring about world-wide Jewish renewal and healthy role on the human stage oriented toward Tikkun Olam.

4)     While affirming the national rights of the Jewish people, the fulfillment of our Zionist vision should not be fulfilled at the expense of other peoples’ national or human rights.  

Therefore Zionism is…  

·        The affirmation that modern day Israel is the central physical space for the Jewish people.

·        Is not only maintenance of Israel but the advancement of its society and the lives of those individuals that dwell therein.

·     A struggle toward the creation of Utopia in Israel based on the philosophies of Labor Zionism

The unity of the Jewish people while respecting the validity of the divergent trends within our tradition, with Hebrew being the integral instrument of this unity

Questions:

·   How do you think this Zionism might relate to the overall Israeli-Palestinian conflict?

·         What would creating a “Utopia” in Israel entail?

·        How does the word “Progressive” alter the concept of Zionism? What about “Labor”?