A deeply pious Christian, William Hechler was the chaplain of the British embassy to Vienna when he first read of Theodor Herzl’s Zionist movement. Already an opponent of anti-Semitism and an ardent advocate of the Jews’ return to their homeland, he quickly became one of Herzl’s most devoted collaborators. Jürgen Bühler writes:
Born in 1845 to a devout Anglican family, [Hechler] took up the cause of Zionism years before Herzl even began his work. As an evangelical Christian, Hechler saw the return of Jews to their homeland as a biblical imperative. . . . Faithful to this commandment, he was looking for Jewish leaders who would get behind the return to Zion. When he read Herzl’s . . . The Jewish State, Hechler went immediately and knocked on his door to meet this visionary and encourage him to pursue his dream. . . .
Hechler . . . used his ties to the German royal family to open doors for Herzl across Europe. It started with a meeting with Frederick I, the grand duke of Baden, to lay out his plan for Jewish resettlement in the land of Israel. Hechler also accompanied Herzl on a journey to Palestine, and helped him meet the German emperor, Wilhelm II. He also served as a special envoy on behalf of the British prime minister in connection with Herzl’s efforts.
Hechler took part in the early Zionist Congresses and [was the subject of] special words of gratitude from Herzl for his work during the first Congress.
Read more on Mida: http://mida.org.il/2016/02/16/reverend-william-hechler-father-of-christian-zionism/