Also important to note is not only the fact that the Shevuos are quoted l’maaseh in Chazal, Rishonim and Achronim and have been used throughout the ages, but also that there has been nobody who disagreed with them or their binding nature (until the Zionists came and, as they have done with Jewish history (see Israel’s Declaration of Independence for example) and Halachah (see the Zionist apologetics cranked out regularly by religious Zionists) tried to replace well established facts with fantsy).
Important to note in this context is that even the rabbonim who the religious zionists consider their forerunners (c”v), recognized the binding nature of the oaths.
When R. Zvi Hersh Kalisher defended his movement to make settlements in EY, he insisted that he would never think of doing so if it means antagonizing the ruling powers of the land, as that would constitute a violation of the Shevuos. He said that others hwo have tried an “aliyah” idea earlier, who came illegally using force were nichshal and bordered on violating the shevuos – but he is not like them (writings, p.204).
Also R. Alexander Moshe Lapidos defends the colonist movement by saying that they would never violate the oaths by taking the land form the turks by “sword and bow” nor do they have any plans of creating a government there. (Shivas Tzion 1:p.35)
The binding nature of the Oaths is universally accepted by Torah Jewry throughout history. Zionists are either in denial, in “gilui panim batorah shelo kehalachah”, or indoctrinated – theres all of the above in their community.
Actually, the forerunners of Zionism were not the rabbonim who advocated the “first aliyah” to EY in the 1800’s (and even they, for the record, who had no intention of violating the shevuos, were a minority and oppsoed by the majority and greater Gedolei HaDor); Zionism started way before them – over 1,000 years ago. See: Daniel al-Qumisi
The idea that settling in Eretz Yisroel will bring the Geula first came from the Karaim. They were kanayim about it, too. Said Daniel Al-Qumisi, Karai “godol” and first Zionist on record:
“The scoundrels among the people of Israel who say to one another: ‘We need not go up to Jerusalem until we are ingathered bu He Who has thrust us out.’ These are the words of fools who provoked G-d’s anger.”
That was the first real Zionist. These 20th century ones are merely repeating what the Karaim said then. And just as the Karaim then lashed out at the Rabbonim for being against their “Zionism,” so too do today’s Zionists follow that path as well.