Another Hot Topic of the Moment

Martyn Rhisiart Jones

Madrid, Monday 12th January 2026

Question of the day: Have there been any Zionists that could be described as decent, moral people of sound humanitarian values and principle?

Answer: Yes, there have been several Zionists who embodied humanitarian values. They emphasized peace, coexistence, and moral principles. They often critiqued aggressive or exclusionary forms of Zionism. These figures advocated for dialogue with Arabs. They proposed binational solutions or equitable sharing of the land. They prioritised human rights over territorial maximalism. Below, I highlight a few prominent examples based on historical records, using a table for clarity.

Figure	Description
Albert Einstein	Religious Zionist and Hebrew University co-founder. He pushed for binationalism under the British Mandate. He prioritised humanitarian principles. He warned that excluding Arabs would doom the project to perpetual violence.
Martin Buber	Philosopher and early Zionist who championed binationalism (a shared Jewish-Arab state) from the 1920s. He insisted on mutual respect, equality, and ethical dialogue. He aimed to avoid domination or endless conflict.
Judah Magnes	German-Jewish philosopher. She identified as a Zionist in the 1930s–1940s. She engaged in Zionist activism and supported Jewish homeland-building as a response to antisemitism. She fiercely opposed a sovereign Jewish nation-state and partition. She advocated binationalism (a shared Arab-Jewish political entity) or a multi-ethnic federation. Her goal was to ensure equality and prevent domination. She critiqued mainstream Zionism for its nationalism. It failed to prioritise Arab rights. She viewed ethical coexistence as core to any legitimate Jewish political project.
Shlomo Ben-Ami	Religious Zionist and Hebrew University co-founder. He pushed for binationalism under the British Mandate. He prioritised humanitarian principles. He warned that excluding Arabs would doom the project to perpetual violence.
Hannah Arendt	German-Jewish philosopher. She identified as a Zionist in the 1930s–1940s. She engaged in Zionist activism and supported Jewish homeland-building as a response to antisemitism. She fiercely opposed a sovereign Jewish nation-state and partition. She advocated binationalism (a shared Arab-Jewish political entity) or a multi-ethnic federation. Her goal was to ensure equality and prevent domination. She critiqued mainstream Zionism for its nationalism. It failed to prioritize Arab rights. She viewed ethical coexistence as core to any legitimate Jewish political project.

These thinkers represent a liberal/humanist current in Zionism. This current often consists of sidelined or minority views. It emphasises universal values such as justice, equality, and a peaceful, shared existence. These are prioritised over territorial expansion or ethnic exclusivity. Their legacies show Zionism has never been monolithic. It has included voices that prioritised humanitarian principles. They placed moral accountability at the centre.

For further reading: Ben-Ami’s Scars of War, Wounds of Peace (on the Israeli-Palestinian tragedy and peace efforts), Arendt’s essays in The Jewish Writings (e.g., on binationalism), or Buber’s works on dialogue and coexistence, such as I and Thou, or Einstein’s writings on Palestine.

Many thanks for reading.

Afterwords

Several Zionists, both historical and contemporary, have emphasised humanitarianism and inclusivity. They often advocate for peace, equality, and shared societies between Jews and Arabs/Palestinians. Zionism is diverse, and these figures represent liberal or progressive strands that prioritise human rights and dialogue over exclusion. Here are notable examples:

Theodor Herzl (1860–1904): Founder of modern Zionism, envisioned a Jewish state where Jews, Christians, and Muslims could live in harmony with shared purpose, promoting inclusivity in his utopian novel Altneuland.

Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–1972): Rabbi and civil rights activist who marched with Martin Luther King Jr.; associated with “humanitarian Zionism” through Holocaust rescue efforts via Vaad Hatzalah and broader ethical Jewish teachings emphasising universal justice.

Peter Beinart (b. 1971): Liberal Zionist journalist and author; critiques “blind Zionism” for enabling injustices like those in Gaza, advocating a justice-driven identity with Palestinian rights, equality, and an end to occupation for ethical humanism.

Alon-Lee Green: Co-founder of Standing Together. It is a Jewish-Arab grassroots movement in Israel. The movement promotes solidarity and equality. It also focuses on anti-war efforts such as hostage returns and civilian protection. The goal is to build a shared society.

Thabet Abu Rass: Co-director of The Abraham Initiatives. He focuses on Palestinian-Israeli shared society. He advocates for equity. He addresses identity complexities amid conflicts.

Shoshanna Keats Jaskoll: She is an American-Israeli activist and a Hadassah-honoured Zionist. She co-founded Chochmat Nashim to combat religious extremism. Her work addresses women’s marginalization in Orthodox communities. She promotes gender inclusivity.

Bellamy Bellucci: Black, transgender Jewish advocate recognized by Hadassah; uses social media to fight antisemitism and promote diversity/inclusivity in Zionist and LGBTQ+ spaces.

Organizations like B’Tselem, Breaking the Silence, and Combatants for Peace also embody this, documenting abuses and fostering joint Jewish-Palestinian activism for human rights.

These examples highlight Zionism’s potential for ethical, inclusive approaches, though debates persist.

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