Competing Nationalisms “Zionism is the belief that the Jews constitute a nation… Political Zionism is the belief that the Jews should form and maintain a state for themselves [in Israel].” Nationalist feelings increased when World War I ended as European countries continued their intervention in the Middle East. The conflict between Arabs and Jews started because of the growth of nationalism. Similarities and differences between Arab and Jewish nationalisms can be the reason why the modern Arab-Israeli conflict is so complicated. Arab and Jewish nationalisms have similarities that, instead of helping them come to an agreement, make problems between them harder to resolve. Both Arabs and Jews believe they should have their own nations;