This idea was championed by Ahad Ha'am[1], the exponent of the neo-Palestine movement, who had made his first appearance in Hebrew literature in 1889 and in a short time forged his way to the front.
[Footnote 1: "One of the People," the Hebrew pen-name of Asher Ginzberg.] 3.

CONTINUED HUMILIATIONS AND DEATH OF ALEXANDER III.
In the meantime, in the land of the Tzars events went their own course.
The Moscow tragedy was nearing its end, but its last stages were marked by scenes reminiscent of the times of the inquisition.

After banishing from Moscow the larger part of the Jewish population, the governor-general, Grand Duke Sergius, made up his mind to humble the remaining Jewish population of the second Russian capital so thoroughly that its existence in the center of Greek Orthodoxy might escape public public notice.

The eyes of the Russian officials at Moscow were offended by the sight of the new beautiful synagogue structure which had been finished in the fateful year of the expulsion.

At first, orders were given to remove from the top of the building the large cupola capped by the Shield of David, which attracted the attention of all passers-by.