Economic distress, political pressure, and social obloquy already drive us from our homes and from our graves. The Jews are already constantly shifting from place to place.
Theodor HerzlZionism demands a publicly recognized and legally secured homeland in Palestine for the Jewish people. This platform is unchangeable.
Theodor HerzlWere I to sum up the Basle Congress in a word- which I shall guard against pronouncing publicly- it would be this: 'At Basle, I founded the Jewish State. If I said this out loud today, I would be answered by universal laughter. If not in 5 years, certainly in 50, everyone will know it.'
Theodor HerzlIf you will it, it is no dream; and if you do not will it, a dream it is and a dream it will stay
Theodor HerzlI will give you my definition of a nation, and you can add the adjective 'Jewish.' A Nation is, in my mind, an historical group of men of a recognizable cohesion held together by a common enemy. Then, if you add to that the word 'Jewish' you have what I understand to be the Jewish nation.
Theodor Herzl