Creation of Israel: an Imperialist-Zionist Joint Venture
The first call for “Jewish” nationalism and the creation of a “Jewish” state came from Imperial France. In 1799, Napoleon Bonaparte, who was interested in expanding his Empire, stood within twenty-five miles of Jerusalem and proclaimed: “Israelites arise! Now is the moment…to claim your political existence as a nation among nations!” Eight years later, Napoleon issued an invitation for a Jewish convention for all European Jews.