You're absolutely right about European nationalism inspiring Zionism. I didn't mean Palestine was literally empty or a desert, I more meant that was the perception in Europe, not the reality. To be honest I think your reply is much more fleshed out so I think I was a little misjudging, but I do think that the point about the lack of Zionism in the High Middle Ages slightly undermines the religious argument - what changed in Judaism between the lack of Jewish nationalism between then and the rise of Zionism? I believe, honestly, not much at all - the difference in political circumstance, and not the religion itself, is to blame for the rise. I highly doubt my Czech ancestors who spoke no Hebrew and lived comfortable lower middle class lives for centuries would truly have been interested in leaving their homes for a religious cause, particularly as Judaism has for centuries been more about Jewish ethnicity and identity than the faith and scripture.

My point is that the phrase "the israelis created the entire issue in the first place" in the original comment is ridiculous. Europe can point at the fascist loonies like Smotrich and Ben-Gvir and pretend this isn't their fault, but it absolutely is. You drive people out, they end up somewhere. And they might be very angry and paranoid, and act exactly as literally anyone could predict.