Theodor Herzl: Founder of Modern Political Zionism

Theodor Herzl (May 2, 1860 – July 3, 1904) was an Austro‑Hungarian journalist, playwright, and writer who is considered a founder of modern political Zionism. Herzl promoted the idea of a Jewish state as a solution to antisemitism and Jewish statelessness in Europe.

In 1896, he published Der Judenstaat (“The Jewish State”), outlining his proposal for a sovereign Jewish homeland. In 1897, Herzl convened the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, and was elected president of the Zionist Organization, which coordinated international Zionist activities.

Herzl engaged with political leaders of the time to seek support for his proposals, meeting European monarchs and Ottoman officials. He envisioned diplomatic and organizational efforts toward establishing a national homeland for the Jewish people. Herzl died in 1904 in Austria‑Hungary; his remains were later reburied in Jerusalem. The World Zionist Organization and subsequent Jewish National Fund trace part of their institutional origins to his work.