The Collapse of Hasbara
When the Third Zionist Congress convened in Basel, Switzerland, from August 15-19, 1899, one of the main topics of discussion was how to present Zionism to the global public. Theodor Herzl, the leader of political Zionism and the founder of the Zionist Congress, introduced the term “propaganda” for this purpose. At the time, the term carried no negative connotation, and Herzl urged the attendees: “Engage in propaganda for the masses; tell them who you are!” Shortly afterward, Herzl’s close associate