Toward a Definition of Zionism: Basel Program of 1897

If we want to better understand the definition of Zionism, it is helpful to be familiar with the Basel Program of the World Zionist Organization. The Basel Program is the first manifesto of modern Zionism. It was drafted between 27 and 30 August 1897 and adopted unanimously at the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland, on 30 August 1897 (see Basel Program | Wikipedia). This is the text of the Basel Program:

Zionism seeks to establish a home in Palestine for the Jewish people, secured under public law.

To achieve this goal, the Congress envisages the following means:

1. The expedient promotion of the settlement of Jewish agriculturists, artisans, and tradesmen in Palestine.

2. The organization and bringing together of all Jews through local and general events, according to the laws of the various countries.

3. The strengthening of Jewish feeling and national consciousness.

4. Preparatory steps for obtaining the governmental approval which is necessary to the achievement of the Zionist purpose. 

According to this additional Wikipedia image data:

The source text on the document is as follows (German): Programm Der Zionismus erstrebt für das jüdische Volk die Schaffung einer öffentlich-rechtlich gesicherten Heimstätte in Palästina. Zur Erreichung dieses Ziels nimmt der Congress folgende Mittel in Aussicht: I. Die zweckdienliche Förderung der Besiedlung Palästinas mit jüdischen Ackerbauern, Handwerkern und Gewerbetreibenden. II. Die Gliederung und Zusammenfassung der gesammten Judenschaft durch geeignete örtliche und allgemeine Veranstaltungen nach den Landesgesetzen. III. Die Stärkung des jüdischen Volksgefühls und Volksbewusstseins. IV. Vorbereitende Schritte zur Erlangung der Regierungszustimmung, die nötig sind, um das Ziel des Zionismus zu erreichen. 

One English translation follows: Program Zionism seeks to establish a home for the Jewish people in Palestine secured under public law. The Congress contemplates the following means to the attainment of this end: 1. The promotion by appropriate means of the settlement in Palestine of Jewish farmers, artisans, and tradesmen. 2. The organization and uniting of the whole of Jewry by means of appropriate local and overall events, in accordance with the country's laws. 3. The strengthening and fostering of Jewish national sentiment and national consciousness. 4. Preparatory steps toward obtaining the consent of the government, where necessary, in order to reach the goals of Zionism.

Some English variations translate the term Palästina and Palästinas as Eretz Israel, or Eretz Yisrael (with the more traditional religious Hebraic spelling), rather than using the standard English term Palestine. This difference reflects Revisionist, Religious Zionism and Neo-Zionism dogma within broader Zionist ideology. It became official terminology following the Menachem Begin Likud government in 1977. Additionally, some translations of the second item say, “by means of appropriate institutions, both local and international,” rather than the “by means of appropriate local and overall events,” as noted above. Some translations of the fourth item say, “obtaining the consent of governments,” rather than the “obtaining the consent of the government,” as noted above. Other minor variations also exist.

The Basel Program was updated by the World Zionist Organization to the Jerusalem Program in 1951.