Page 364 - הציונות בתוניסיה

Zionism in Tunisia between French colonialism
and Local Nationalism

Summary

Zionism was one response or reaction of Tunisian Jews to French colonialism
and the modernization processes which affected them; it could also be
considered an expression of modernity. The influence of Zionism increased
gradually, and the internal dynamics of the colonial situation on the one
hand, and the possibilities of accomplishing Zionist goals on the other, were
principle factors in the development of Zionism in Tunisia. Tunisian Zionists
saw in their movement a means to achieve political and social expression,
adapted to the spirit of the times.
Expressions of Zionism first appeared at the end of nineteenth century.
Organized Zionist movements emerged only in 1910 with the foundation
of the first Zionist society, Agudat Zion. French authorities legalized
Zionism, but restricted it to cultural activities. Agudat Zion published a
Zionist newspaper, Kol Zion, collected the Zionist taxes (the shekel), sent a
representative to the tenth Zionist Congress, contributed to Keren Kayemet
LeIsrael and held Zionist propaganda meetings. WWI interrupted Zionist
activity, which virtually stopped until the end of the war. After the war
ended, Zionist organizations were founded in all the major cities of Tunisia
The years 1918–1926 were the “formative years” of Zionism in Tunisia.
During this period the Tunisian Zionist Federation was established in
October 1920 as an organizational framework for all Zionist activities. The
Federation dealt with all necessary organizational matters but did not succeed
in rising above internal problems and was unable to lead Tunisian Zionism.
The weakness of the Federation stemmed from its inability to enforce its
authority upon the various organizations, its lack of a fixed budget and,
therefore, a good newspaper published regularly, and the disregard and

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