At the end of the 19th century, the Zionist movement emerged among the Jewish people, aiming for the return of Jews to their historic homeland and the establishment of a Jewish state in Eretz Israel. At the same time, initiatives arose to find alternative Jewish settlement options elsewhere in the world. The Land of Israel was back then part of the Ottoman Empire, which led many to view the biblical region as an unrealistic goal. Jews would have been content if a Jewish settlement idea had worked anywhere in the world, potentially leading to the development of a state. Ultimately, all these attempts failed. Jews can truly be at home only in their biblical homeland. Nevertheless, Jewish groups repeatedly tried to live together as a Jewish community wherever possible. This is precisely what the Palestinians lack–the initiative to work together as a group for a better future no matter where that is. Instead, their sole unifying force is the fight against the Jewish people.

Below is a brief overview of the last attempts by Jewish groups to...

Israel Today Membership

Become a Member

• Read all member content

  Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel.

• Get exclusive in-depth reports from Israel

  Connect with Israel, right from your home.

• Lift up the voice of truth and hope

  Support Jerusalem-based Zionist journalism.

Become a Member

Already a member? Login here.