Zionism and Arab Nationalism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Zionism and Arab Nationalism - Essay Example For instance the Arab nationalist movements based on the religion than any other factor, contrary to this Zionism was more of ethnic based than any other factor. Some of the nationalist movement have also actively participated in the political arena by agitating for the rights and fairness of their people to whom they share political ideology. It is interesting to note that both Arab nationalism and Zionism were founded to champion for the interest of certain specific groups of people. Arab nationalism in this case was founded to recognize the Arab world in terms of uniting al the Arabs from all over the world and celebrating their glories, culture and literal work (Goldschmidt Arthur and Lawrence, 2009). Though this is the official claim for the formation of the Arab nationalism, other sources indicate that the rapid growing of the western civilization necessitated its formation and uncontrolled spread of the western culture in most parts of the world. To give a counter check on the same, Arab nationalism was formed to make the Arab culture more salient and recognizable in the world equally, so it can be argued to be a retaliatory action. Zionism on the other hand was formed to recognize the Jews, in their core beliefs; the nationalist movement recognized Jews population anywhere in the world without boundary restriction (Esposito, 2011). Looking at the two nationalist movements, one will recognize that both were not bi-ethnical but purely mono-ethnical movements that were put into place to champion for the respective ethnic groups. The formation period of the nationalistic movements differs; the Arab nationalism was formed in the 1920 s, the Zionism was formed in the 1940 s (Bosworth, 2007). Questions as to whether both Zionism and Arab nationalism met the threshold of nationalism before World War I is quite clear. It is important to recognize the definition of what nationalism is; it is a show of extreme patriotism and belonging to a particular nation. In th is light, only the Arab nationalism met the threshold at the time. The Arab nationalism was already formed in a clear territorial entity since it was unequivocal in its area of influences. This was is not the case with Zionism that were operating ubiquitously and meant for any Jews in any part of the world (Bosworth, 2007). Zionism was labeled a racist organization that seemed to be busybody championing for the rights of the Jews as if they were to be considered blue-eyed boys by the rest of the world (Esposito, 2011). The acts demonstrated by Zionism are believed to have led to the massacre persecution of the Jews by Germans leader Adolf Hitler during his dictatorial regime then. Hitler ordered the persecution of the Germans in an attempt to wipe them out of Germany regarding them as evil people (Goldschmidt Arthur and Lawrence, 2009). In contrast, Zionism during its initial formation was rather amorphous unlike the Arab nationalism. Zionism in the early days did not have any terri torial concentration of its people and were just operating widely in any part of the world. They claimed no nation of their own this is significantly contrasting with the way Arab nationalism was organized. The Arab movement recognized their territorial areas as well as their religious orientation. It was more defined and clear on its quest; to counter the unprecedented spread of the western power and civilization. They aimed at recognizing the achievement of the Arab community, the cultural affairs of the Arabs as well as the