March 14, 2004
"Theodore Herzl, One Hundred Years Afterwards" was the title of the yearly Italian Zionist Congress, in Rome. The purpose was to remember Herzl, not with rhetoric, but rather through a discussion about the purposes of the Zionist movement today.

Some of the subjects discussed:
 - Can one be called a Zionist if he/she does not intend to make aliyah?
 - It was once said that Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people. Can we now say that it is the movement for the unity of the Jewish people, for both those in the historical homeland and in the Diaspora?
    - Should Israel be the state of the Jews - a Jewish state with clear religious and traditional features, or should it be the state of its inhabitants?
 - Should the final purpose be to have a state within its historical borders or a state at peace with its neighbours?
- In order to strengthen the Jewish character of the state, would it be right to exchange some Palestinian cities and villages in Israel proper with some Israeli cities and villages in the territories in the framework of a final agreement with the Palestinians?
- How can we express the centrality of Israel in the life of Italian Jewry? What should the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora?
 
About fifty representatives from all over Italy were present. Fourteen persons submitted a paper, and a lively debate followed.
 
 The following day there was a meeting with Avi Pazner, the spokesman of the Israeli government. He was introduced by the President and Chief Rabbi of the Jewish community.  A well known Italian journalist interviewed him for a couple of hours, concentrating particularly on current events. A lively discussion followed.
 
It was a useful and democratic Congress attended by many of Italy's intellectuals - a Congress which proved that Zionism is still alive and well in Italy.