When Zionism prevailed

October 7 was the darkest day in Israel’s history, but in that darkness, we saw why Zionism matters.

For a moment, we saw what life without a Jewish state could look like. The robust mechanisms of the state and the IDF froze. Chaos reigned and Jews were slaughtered.

If Hamas’s 3000 terrorists had reached our cities, if Hezbollah had invaded under a barrage of rockets, if Iran had unleashed its missiles, if the West Bank had joined the onslaught, we might be telling a very different story today.

It was Zionists who rose that day. Zionists who saved the day. Zionists of all walks of life, bound by one unifying ideal and purpose: we are one people with one state.

I’ve been privileged in my role as CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia to meet many of them, including Dr Yoaz Hendel, who returned to active duty at 48 and rallied hundreds of reservists. And Rachel Edri of Ofakim who was taken hostage in her home by five Hamas terrorists and with extraordinary calm stalled them for nearly 20 hours with cookies, coffee and conversation until Israeli forces stormed the house and rescued her and her husband. And Natalie Sanandaji who survived the Nova music festival massacre and has since become a global voice for Jewish pride and the fight against antisemitism.

And many Jews across Australia and the world who mobilised instinctively, who rallied and organised, who raised money for protective vests and equipment when the army weren’t quick enough to do so. These men and women, these Jews, saved Israel.

We underestimated Hamas, just as too many underestimated the rise of antisemitism in Australia. We underestimated Iran and its proxies, just as we underestimated the ferocity of antisemitism around the globe. But we also underestimated something else: the power and relevance of Zionism.

Zionism prevailed that day. It prevailed over a mortal threat, not just to Israel, but to all of us. And it is Zionism that continues to bind us tightly as we pray as one people for the safe return of our hostages, and for the safety of our soldiers in battle, as if they were our very own family.

Over the past month, I’ve had the privilege of spending time with two extraordinary people who personify these ideals: Gil Troy and Yoaz Hendel. Both were in Australia for our ZFA annual conference. Both have left a mark on me. Hendel, with his refusal to slip quietly into civilian life, instead insisting on leading men into battle. Troy, with his relentless call for Jews to embrace “we-ism,” to build identity and pride through what we create, not what others try to destroy.

They are two faces of Zionism: activism and collectivism. One shows how Zionism saves lives on the battlefield. The other shows how Zionism saves souls by refusing to let us collapse into victimhood.

This is what October 7 revealed. Zionism is not an abstract ideology. It is a living, breathing movement. Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. The refusal to be defined by our enemies. The determination to shape our own destiny.

And I see it everywhere today. In Israel, civil society has surged to fill the gaps where the state falls short. In Australia, our youth movements are buzzing with talent and inspiring new leaders. Around the world, Jews are fundraising, influencing online, standing tall in hostile spaces, advancing our people’s interests in public and in private.

Zionism is the global immune system of the Jewish people. It reacts when we are attacked, but it also strengthens us in ordinary times through education, culture, identity and the shared pride of building something greater than ourselves.

At the ZFA, this is our focus and our source of inspiration. We are doubling the number of young Australians travelling to Israel. Investing in our next generation and their connection to Israel. Bringing Israelis and Australians together to form deep bonds. Advocating for our community’s interests where it matters. Making sure our voice is heard.

October 7 was a warning, but it was also a reminder. We are not alone. We are not victims. We are Zionists. And when Zionism rises, the Jewish people not only endure – we thrive.

Alon Cassuto is CEO of the Zionist Federation of Australia.