In Basel, Israel's president is the guest of honor at a celebration marking the 125th anniversary of the First Zionist Congress. He begins his speech with quotes from the Talmud and the Bible.
Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog praised Zionism for its ability to unite the Jewish people. He spoke Monday evening in Basel at a gala commemorating the 125th anniversary of the First Zionist Congress. The event was held in the very place where Theodor Herzl convened the conference on August 29, 1897: the music hall of the Stadtcasino.
At the beginning of his speech, Herzog quoted from the Mishnah (Berachot 9:1), the collection of texts underlying the Talmud: “If anyone sees a place where miracles have been performed for Israel, let him say: ‘Blessed is He who performed miracles for our fathers in this place.’”
The head of state commented on this with the words: “And today, 125 years after that defining moment when a handful of pioneering, inspiring Zionist leaders forever changed human and Jewish history here in Basel, the cradle of political Zionism, I stand before you as President of the State of Israel. I have come from Jerusalem, the eternal capital of the Jewish people, the State of Israel, the fulfillment of the dreams and prayers of so many generations, a miraculous example for the entire world. And I recite this blessing: ‘Blessed is He who performed miracles for our fathers in this place.’”
According to a statement from the Presidential Office, Herzog added a verse from Psalm 118:24: “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Jewish identity as an independent political community
Since the beginning of modernity, the pendulum of Jewish history has swung back and forth between a demand for normality on the one hand and for individuality on the other, Herzog said. Jews have wanted to exist within the family of nations, and to do so with their own norms.
In Basel, Herzl positioned Zionism on this axis: “He translated Jewish identity into an efficient political doctrine. He opened up the possibility for Jews to experience their identity as an independent political community, as a state.” Herzl’s radical vision stirred up the Jewish people.
According to Herzog's account, the pendulum no longer swung back and forth between the extremes. Rather, Herzl created new space for the Jewish people. This space could be filled politically, diplomatically, territorially, and culturally. Jews could continue to argue, debate, and make decisions on the major issues that concerned them in their diversity—but without fear of antisemitism and persecution, or even assimilation leading to the erasure of their identity.
The title of Herzl's book, "Old New Land," demonstrates what the founder of Zionism accomplished: combining old and new, that is, conservative and modern elements of Judaism. Even before the founding of the State of Israel, Herzl could say: "We have returned home. Zionism is the return to Judaism before the return to the land of the Jews."
To view the term "Zionism" positively
Herzog called on Jews to reclaim the term "Zionism." About a year ago, there was a discussion on social media about calls to censor the word "Zionist." Some users expressed fear that it could be used for antisemitic hate speech against Jews and Israelis. Others viewed it as "an expression of legitimate criticism of Israel." But no one saw any positive aspect in it.
“We must combat this antisemitic and anti-Zionist approach; history has already shown the dark depths it can reach,” the president emphasized. Jews must reclaim the term “Zionism” as an expression of their national identity, traditions, and hopes. The biblical prophet Isaiah (chapter 2, verse 3) states: “Out of Zion will go forth instruction.”.
Zionism, both historically and in its modern form, means responsibility, Herzog concluded. "Responsibility that we must bear with pride and engrave on our hearts, from generation to generation, forevermore." It is about populating and building up the land and strengthening Israeli democracy.
Political Zionism was a response to the antisemitism that spread across Europe at the end of the 19th century. In the early 1880s, numerous Russian Jews fled pogroms to Palestine, then part of the Ottoman Empire. For Herzl, the Paris correspondent for the Viennese newspaper "Neue Freie Presse," the trial of the Jewish officer Alfred Dreyfus was the decisive factor. He watched in horror as "the" Jews became the target of public scrutiny. The fact that Dreyfus was later proven innocent was of no interest to the mob.
Federal Councillor Parmelin: Parallels between Switzerland and Israel
The Swiss government was represented at the gala by Federal Councillor and former Federal President Guy Parmelin (SVP). He emphasized the similarities between the two small states of Switzerland and Israel. Education and research play a major role in both. Both nations are successful in the areas of innovation and start-ups, he said, according to the news website of broadcaster SRF.
Beat Jans (Social Democratic Party), the president of the Basel government, pointed out that the city of Basel had opened its doors to the international Jewish delegation for the congress. This contrasted sharply with Vienna, Munich, and Zurich, which had refused to do so.
Meeting with Federal President Cassis
Even before the gala, Herzog had met with Swiss President Ignazio Cassis in Bern. They signed a declaration of intent regarding joint scientific research. Cassis called for an end to the violence that is causing so much suffering to Israelis and Palestinians. He added: "I am convinced that we need a political framework and a genuine political process based on a two-state solution and international law."
Herzog noted that the Middle East is at a crucial crossroads: The Abraham Accords have opened new avenues to transform the region into a center of stability, peace, and prosperity. At the same time, Iran and its allies continue to spread terror and undermine moderate actors. He called on Switzerland to oppose the Iranian nuclear program.
