Theodor Herzl Austrian journalist, founder of the World Zionist Organization Date of Birth: 02.05.1860 Country: Israel

1. Biography of Theodor Herzl
2. Paris Correspondent and a Change in Views
3. The Book and Political Activism
4. Legacy and Death

Biography of Theodor Herzl

Theodor Herzl, an Austrian journalist and the founder of the World Zionist Organization, was born on May 2, 1860, in Budapest. He studied at a real gymnasium and then enrolled in the law faculty of the University of Vienna in 1878. In 1884, Herzl obtained a degree in law and worked for some time in the courts of Vienna and Salzburg. From 1885, he devoted himself entirely to literary activities, writing plays, feuilletons, and stories. Some of his plays were successful on Austrian stages.

Paris Correspondent and a Change in Views

From October 1891 to July 1895, Herzl worked as a Paris correspondent for the influential Viennese newspaper "Neue Freie Presse." A significant turning point in Herzl's views and life occurred under the influence of the famous Dreyfus affair in December 1894. The cries of "Death to the Jews!" that resounded in the streets of Paris at that time led Herzl to believe that the only solution to the Jewish question could be the emigration of Jews from the countries of the diaspora and their settlement in their own country.

The Book and Political Activism

In June 1895, Herzl began making the first sketches for his book "The Jewish State." The book, in which Herzl laid out his program, was titled "The Jewish State: An Attempt at a Modern Solution to the Jewish Question." It was published on February 14, 1896, in Vienna. Translations of the book into Hebrew, English, French, Russian, and Romanian were also published that same year. The main idea of the book was that the Jewish question should be resolved not through emigration from one diaspora country to another or assimilation but through the creation of an independent Jewish state. According to Herzl's thoughts, the political resolution of the Jewish question should be coordinated with the great powers.

After the publication of his book, Herzl embarked on energetic political activities. He founded, edited, and financed a weekly newspaper in German called "Die Welt," whose first issue was released in June 1897. With Herzl's active participation, the First Zionist Congress took place in Basel in August 1897. In the following years, Herzl engaged in active efforts to establish a Jewish state and met with many political figures from different countries for this purpose.

Legacy and Death

Herzl died on July 3, 1904, in Edlach, Austria, and was buried in Vienna. As per his will, his remains were reinterred in Jerusalem on August 14, 1949. A museum dedicated to Herzl was constructed near his grave. The day of Herzl's death (in the Hebrew calendar, the 20th day of the month of Tammuz) is observed in Israel as a national day of remembrance.