Idea that the Jewish people should return to and settle the land of Palestine (or Israel) as a national homeland. Organized as a movement during the 1800s; its most famous proponent was Theodore Hertzl. Zionist organizations were instrumental in founding the State of Israel. Zionism was inspirational for several generations of Jews worldwide, but has been criticized for marginalizing the heritage of other peoples, such as Palestinian Arabs. See kibbutzim.