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THE ORIGINS OF "GRANDMA'S ARMY"

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The end of the 19th century marked the start of a new movement––“Zionism”. Theodor Herzl, the founder of the Zionist movement, called for Jews across the globe to come together and form a national home for the Jewish people. Back then, the Land of Israel was part of the Ottoman Empire, and populated mainly by itinerant Arabs from throughout the Middle East. The Jewish communities were mainly to be found in holy cities such as Jerusalem and Safed, that had existed for centuries.  Inspired by Zionism and facing violent progroms in eastern Europe, more and more Jews felt the need to escape to a place they could call their own. They came to Israel and established the first "Moshavot"––Jewish agricultural communities and towns. As Jewish communities bloomed throughout the Land of Israel, the concept of "Hebrew Labour" became the cornerstone of Israel's national revival process. By shaping a new society and building a country with their own hands, the Zionist ...