The Rise of Zionism: Herzl and the Shifting Landscape

This chapter explores the transformation of Theodor Herzl from indifference to a passionate advocate for a Jewish state, spurred by the Dreyfus affair and rising antisemitism. It examines the internal debates within the Zionist movement, particularly contrasting Herzl's political aspirations with Ahad Ha'am's vision of a spiritual renaissance for the Jewish people. Through discussions of socio-political challenges and critiques of Jewish identity, the chapter illuminates the complexities surrounding the emergence of Zionism leading up to World War I.