This new role of Zionism was crucial for the newborn state during its first few decades of existence. If Israel was to survive she had to quickly become self-sufficient as well as a regional military power. Both requirements called for selfless dedication by all of Israel's Jews. Zionism inspired the needed attitude.

Zionism accounted for the immigration to Israel of hundreds of thousands of Jews worldwide. Zionism spurred on the new immigrants to give everything they had for the growth of the new nation. Zionism gave the soldiers of the new state the needed inspiration to face far superior enemies. It was Zionism, in these early years, that bound the nation together and gave her a will to fight despite the fact that her new Jewish inhabitants came from over 100 different nations and cultures. Despite the differences in culture and thought, the Jews of Israel were bound by one common vision, Zionism.

The early years of Israel saw an increase in the establishment of kibbutzim which allowed the young state to quickly reclaim otherwise useless land for farming and quickly establish a strong and thriving agricultural base. New immigrants to the land were inspired by the Zionist vision to take part in reclaiming the barren, useless land by joining the kibbutz movement and helping to make "the desert blossom like a rose."

During the first 50 years of the State of Israel, Zionism gave the soldiers of Israel the courage and strength to face enemy armies far larger than their own and to defend to the death their newly reestablished homeland. Israel won astounding victories in a number of wars initiated by the Arab nations. The stories of heroism and bravery among the Israeli soldiers are countless.

The role of Zionism during the first 50 years of the State of Israel cannot be ignored; indeed, it is the driving force behind the nation. Zionism allowed the State of Israel to grow in a short 50 years from a newborn state into a world power in not only military might, but in industry, agriculture, medicine, and most recently, high-tech. It is, as we all know, God's own hand that has brought such blessing upon Israel, but Zionism is the vehicle which He has chosen to use for that task.

During the course of 50 years, Israel has grown prosperous and wealthy and has a certain degree of security based on power of arms, all of which has, sadly, caused the position of Zionism in the nation to decline. Zionism no longer holds the central role it once did in Israel as a new, younger generation rises, mostly ignorant of their forefather's trials and dependency upon the inspiration of Zionism.