ZionismZionism
Zionism is a theory under Judaism that advocates the return of Jews to the homeland and the formation of a Jewish state. Thus, since Israel became a state in 1948, Zionism has achieved its main goal.
This theology rose out of numerous concerns of European Jews about their
minority status in their respective countries. Their segregated positions
gave them a national consciousness, but they lacked a solid state under
which to gather. Translated into political thought from traditional Jewish
prayers, the first Zionists of the second half of the 19th century decided
to elect Palestine as their destination. Helped by the British, Theodor
Herzl (below) founded World Zionist Organization, firmly founding Zionism
as a political movement. A number of agricultural settlements were set
up near Jaffa to live up to the ideal of purely Jewish communities. The
settlement of Ahuzat Bayit later became Tel Aviv. In the last years of
the 19th century, many European Jews (Russians in particular) joined the
movement and trekked to Israel. Resolved to build their lives in the Homeland
as stewards of the land, many of these new arrivals faced discouraging challenges.
Thus, Baron Edmond de Rothschild (above) came to the rescue of Zionism
in 1889. He provided monthly stipends to Jewish settlers as well as helping
them develop viable agricultural plans 
for the arid climate.
Zionism was soon threatened by Turkish authorities who took notice of
massive land speculation around Jaffa and attempted to stop the influx of
Jewish settlers into their Empire. Thus, Theodor Herzl formed another organization,
the Zionist Organization which combined with the Jewish National Fund in
the early 20th century to protect Jewish interests in Palestine. Particular
interest and funding was provided in the vicinity of Jaffa, now Tel Aviv.
Most street names in Tel Aviv reflect the influence of numerous Zionists.