125 years ago, at the first Zionist Congress in Basel, Theodor Herzl called for the creation of a Jewish state. In an interview, Erik Petry, Professor of Jewish History at the University of Basel, describes the significance of the first Zionist Congress 125 years ago.
SRF News: Why did the first Zionist Congress take place in Basel? Other cities would also have been conceivable.
Erik Petry: Actually, Theodor Herzl chose Munich first. But the Jewish community there had rejected it. Because Zionism was also considered a threat to assimilation at the time. It was then the Zionist David Farbstein from Zurich who recommended Basel as the venue: Basel is a good place for it. The city is cosmopolitan, has good transport connections – and there is a good kosher restaurant.
The congress 125 years ago is not the birth of Zionism. When and why did the Zionist movement emerge?
You have to go way back in history. One of the pillars of Judaism is Messianism. It is about the belief that the Messiah will lead the Jewish people back to the land of Israel.
Legend:
During the 1st Zionist Congress, Theodor Herzl lodged in the Hotel Drei Könige in Basel, from where he could see the Rhine flowing past.
Keystone/Photopress Archive
In the course of the 19th century, this religious idea was also brought together with secular ideas. Namely, that the Jews should also actively implement this wish.
However, it was first Herzl who then poured this idea into what we today call political Zionism.
Herzl was actually a journalist, writer and lawyer. How did he come to Zionism?
The Dreyfus affair in Paris played an important role. As a result, Herzl experienced an anti-Semitism in France that he was familiar with from Germany, Austria and Hungary, but had not expected in France.
From this event, Herzl drew the conclusion that the Jewish population had no opportunity to be assimilated and recognized in European societies.
The first congress took place in the Stadtcasino in Basel. Was Herzl aware of the importance of this occasion?
Reading his diary, it becomes clear that Herzl had serious doubts. He couldn’t anticipate what would happen at the first congress. There were no registration lists; anyone who wanted to could come. In the end, Herzl managed to get Zionism rolling thanks to his charismatic appearance.
22 more Zionist congresses followed later, ten of them in Basel – why?
Basel had an open urban society, you felt welcome. And the Stadtcasino was considered a very representative place. The Zionists felt as if they were in a national parliament.
In 1948 the State of Israel was founded. Since then, the conflict with the Palestinians has remained unresolved. Were the Zionists aware of what they were triggering by establishing the state of Israel?
In 1897, all of Europe looked down on the Arab world. Everyone was aware that there is an Arab population living on the territory of Israel today.
Historically, there was a notion that the Arab population could have a better life under Zionism and that is why the movement was supported. Neither Herzl nor Europe had any inkling that national consciousness was also developing in the Arab world.
In 1948, however, there was already a first conflict situation. The UN tried to find solutions.
The conversation was led by Fabienne Nageli.