Religious Zionism: The Mizrachi Movement and “The Observer” Newspaper

“The Observer” newspaper, founded in Jerusalem in 1937 by Rabbi Meir Bar-Ilan as the official organ of the religious Zionist movement Mizrachi, stands as a testament to the spirit of religious Zionism. Before its founding, Palestine lacked a daily newspaper representing the religious Jewish community, making “The Observer” a highly valuable addition to Hebrew Journalism at the time.

The Mizrachi movement emerged as the earliest expression of religious Zionism, blending Zionist ideals with Jewish theology. Originated at the 1902 Zionist Congress in Vilna, under the leadership of Rabbi Yitzchak Jacob Reines, Mizrachi garnered support from prominent figures like the Zionist Organization President Benjamin Ze’ev Herzl, the father of modern political Zionism. Its core belief was that the realization of the Zionist vision was inseparable from the fulfillment of Jewish religious obligations, setting it apart from secular Zionist factions and certain Orthodox groups.

A highlight in our collection is a rare issue of “The Observer” commemorating Israel’s independence declaration in 1948. Titled “The State of Israel has Risen” this edition, printed in two colors—black and blue, remarkably rare and costly undertaking at the time, underscoring the significance and festivity. Embedded within the text are biblical quotations, including the iconic Genesis 15:18, affirming the divine promise of the land to the Jewish people.

During the British Mandate era (1917-1948), the groundwork for Hebrew journalism was established, marked by partisan newspapers serving political agendas rather than profitability. Despite the closure of other partisan publications, “The Observer” persevered as the sole survivor into the twenty-first century, a testament to its resilience. However, after seventy years of publication, the final issue of “The Observer” was released on December 26, 2008, marking the end of an era. Currently, no Zionist party boasts a daily newspaper, with predecessors like “Al Hamishmer” and “Davar” closing in previous decades.