Theodor Herzl

Father of modern political Zionism (1860–1904)

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Lived 1860–1904, aged 44

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84 languages
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Era
1860–1904
Aged 44

Summary

Updated 2026-05-29

Hungarian journalist who founded modern political Zionism and pushed for a Jewish state in Palestine during the Ottoman era. His vision shaped the Israeli Declaration of Independence, earning him the Hebrew title "Visionary of the State.

Biography

About

Theodor Herzl was a Hungarian Jewish journalist and lawyer who was the father of modern political Zionism. Herzl formed the Zionist Organization and promoted Jewish immigration to Palestine, which, in the late 19th century was part of the Ottoman Empire, in an effort to form a Jewish state. Due to his Zionist work, he is known in Hebrew as Chozeh HaMedinah, lit. 'Visionary of the State'. He is specifically mentioned in the Israeli Declaration of Independence and is officially referred to as "the spiritual father of the Jewish State".

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