“Let us be very clear: the purpose of Zionism was and is to redefine what is a Jew and to change, our people, in their words, from a despised Jew to a proud Hebrew. This is, of course, shmad.”
Hakatan,
Even you are giving more credit than (many of)them deserve.
They wished to resolve the ‘judishe frage’.
The old purpose for which the jewish people represented(a supra nation which would bring the world up)and existed was unappreciated and unappealing.
They preferred the Riviera ,but felt guilty about it.