Theodor Herzl was an Austro-Hungarian Jewish journalist, lawyer, writer, playwright and political activist who was the father of modern political Zionism. Herzl formed the Zionist Organization and promoted Jewish immigration to Palestine in an effort to form a Jewish state. Due to his Zionist work, he is known in Hebrew as Chozeh HaMedinah, lit. 'Visionary of the State'. He is specifically mentioned in the Israeli Declaration of Independence and is officially referred to as "the spiritual father of the Jewish State".
Herzl in 1897
Herzl and his family, c. 1866–1873
Herzl as a child with his mother Janet and sister Pauline
Herzl (seated in the middle) with members of the Zionist Organization in Vienna, 1896
The common definition of Zionism was principally the endorsement of the Jewish people to return to their homeland, secondarily the claim that due to a lack of self-determination, this territory must be re-established as a Jewish state. Zionism was produced by various philosophers representing different approaches concerning the objective and path that Zionism should follow.
Theodor Herzl is considered the founder of the Zionist movement. In his 1896 book Der Judenstaat, he envisioned the founding of a future independent Jewish state during the 20th century.
Dov Ber Borochov, one of the leaders of Labor Zionism
Kibbutznikiyot (female Kibbutz members) in Mishmar HaEmek, during the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. The Kibbutz is the historical heartland of Labor Zionism.
Ze'ev Jabotinsky, founder of Revisionist Zionism
