The 34th Zionist Congress convened in Jerusalem today under the banner of the \"Jewish People\'s Solidarity with the State of Israel.\" Over 1,200 delegates and alternates from 33 counties, together with an additional 300 activists, gathered to discuss issues including the significance of Israel as a Jewish democratic state, the fight against anti-Semitism, settlement, and aliyah (immigration to Israel). The first Zionist Congress met in Basle, Switzerland in 1897, under the leadership of the father of modern Zionism, Theodore Herzl. For the fist time since that initial conference, a quarter of those in attendance are under the age of 30.
Saul Tomson, 22, a first-time Zionist Congress attendee, is a representative of the Mizrachi (Religious Zionist) movement of South Africa. Speaking with Arutz-7\'s Josh Hasten today, he delivered a message of thanks and inspiration from the Jewish community of South Africa:
\"I am here to bring a message of thanks to the people of Israel, especially for the soldiers who every day put their lives on the line to protect us. I work in the field of education in South Africa, and one of the messages that I try to drive home is that the State of Israel is not just for the people living in Israel, but it is for Jews all over the world… The only way we can exist as a community in South Africa or in Jewish communities throughout the world is because we have a strong State of Israel… No other place in the world can give a Jew the type of reassurance that Israel gives us… The soldiers and the people living in Israel are the true heroes of this time period.\"
Tomson also said that despite the current Oslo War, he feels safer in Israel than anywhere else in the word, and is in fact optimistic about Israel\'s future: \"Even though the situation may seem bleak and it may seem difficult, the message is clear to me, and I think that to any Jew: that as much as our enemies try to persecute us and hurt us, and while they may be able to harm some of our bodies and kill some of our people, they will never dampen the Jewish spirit. We\'ve lasted through must stronger attacks and for thousands of years, and the Jewish spirit will forever live, no matter what.\"
Another young participant said, \"I\'m very pleased to be here. It may not be the safest time, but I think that\'s even more reason to be here and support Israel. You don\'t only support Israel when everything\'s fine, but at a time of need as well.\"
Saul Tomson, 22, a first-time Zionist Congress attendee, is a representative of the Mizrachi (Religious Zionist) movement of South Africa. Speaking with Arutz-7\'s Josh Hasten today, he delivered a message of thanks and inspiration from the Jewish community of South Africa:
\"I am here to bring a message of thanks to the people of Israel, especially for the soldiers who every day put their lives on the line to protect us. I work in the field of education in South Africa, and one of the messages that I try to drive home is that the State of Israel is not just for the people living in Israel, but it is for Jews all over the world… The only way we can exist as a community in South Africa or in Jewish communities throughout the world is because we have a strong State of Israel… No other place in the world can give a Jew the type of reassurance that Israel gives us… The soldiers and the people living in Israel are the true heroes of this time period.\"
Tomson also said that despite the current Oslo War, he feels safer in Israel than anywhere else in the word, and is in fact optimistic about Israel\'s future: \"Even though the situation may seem bleak and it may seem difficult, the message is clear to me, and I think that to any Jew: that as much as our enemies try to persecute us and hurt us, and while they may be able to harm some of our bodies and kill some of our people, they will never dampen the Jewish spirit. We\'ve lasted through must stronger attacks and for thousands of years, and the Jewish spirit will forever live, no matter what.\"
Another young participant said, \"I\'m very pleased to be here. It may not be the safest time, but I think that\'s even more reason to be here and support Israel. You don\'t only support Israel when everything\'s fine, but at a time of need as well.\"