Theodor Herzl: Difference between revisions
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== Becomes Leader of the Zionists == | == Becomes Leader of the Zionists == | ||
From April, 1896, when the English translation of his “Judenstaat” appeared, his career and reputation changed. Herzl has not confessed to what particular incident the publication of his “Jewish State” in the winter of 1895 was due. He was in Paris at the time, and was no doubt moved by the Dreyfus affair. His forerunners in the field of Zionism date through the nineteenth century, but of this perhaps he was least aware. Herzl followed his pen-effort by serious work. He was in Constantinople in April, 1896, and on his return was hailed at Sofia, Bulgaria, by a Jewish deputation. He went to London, where the Maccabeans received him coldly. Five days later he was given the mandate of leadership from the Zionists of the East End of London, and within six months this mandate was approved throughout Zionist Jewry. His life now became one unceasing round of effort. His supporters, at first but a small group, literally worked night and day. Jewish life had been heretofore contemplative and conducted by routine. Herzl inspired his friends with the idea that men whose aim is to reestablish a nation must throw aside all conventionalities and work at all hours and at any task. | From April, 1896, when the English translation of his “Judenstaat” appeared, his career and reputation changed. Herzl has not confessed to what particular incident the publication of his “Jewish State” in the winter of 1895 was due. He was in Paris at the time, and was no doubt moved by the [[Dreyfus affair]]. His forerunners in the field of Zionism date through the nineteenth century, but of this perhaps he was least aware. Herzl followed his pen-effort by serious work. He was in Constantinople in April, 1896, and on his return was hailed at Sofia, Bulgaria, by a Jewish deputation. He went to London, where the Maccabeans received him coldly. Five days later he was given the mandate of leadership from the Zionists of the East End of London, and within six months this mandate was approved throughout Zionist Jewry. His life now became one unceasing round of effort. His supporters, at first but a small group, literally worked night and day. Jewish life had been heretofore contemplative and conducted by routine. Herzl inspired his friends with the idea that men whose aim is to reestablish a nation must throw aside all conventionalities and work at all hours and at any task. | ||
In 1897, at considerable personal expense, he founded “Die Welt” of Vienna. Then he planned the first Zionist Congress. He was elected president, and held as by a magnet the delegates through all the meetings. He has been reelected unanimously at every congress. In 1898 he began a series of diplomatic interviews. He was received by the German emperor on several occasions. At the head of a deputation, he was again granted an audience by the emperor in Jerusalem. He attended The Hague Peace Conference, and was received by many of the attending statesmen. In May, 1901, he was for the first time openly received by the Sultan of Turkey, and has since been called several times to Yildiz Kiosk on the business of the Zionist movement. He has won the personal esteem of the kaiser and the sultan, and has been repeatedly decorated by the latter. | In 1897, at considerable personal expense, he founded “Die Welt” of Vienna. Then he planned the first Zionist Congress. He was elected president, and held as by a magnet the delegates through all the meetings. He has been reelected unanimously at every congress. In 1898 he began a series of diplomatic interviews. He was received by the German emperor on several occasions. At the head of a deputation, he was again granted an audience by the emperor in Jerusalem. He attended The Hague Peace Conference, and was received by many of the attending statesmen. In May, 1901, he was for the first time openly received by the Sultan of Turkey, and has since been called several times to Yildiz Kiosk on the business of the Zionist movement. He has won the personal esteem of the kaiser and the sultan, and has been repeatedly decorated by the latter. |