The connection is as follows: One of the arguments made as to the how we prove that Zionism is sheker, is by showing that it didn’t last.* Many “isms” have been made popular in their time, then slowly faded away (Communism, socialism to name a few)
Zionism also, is in its dying stages as we see the real Zionists are all around your age, rabbi, and have not succeeded in passing it on to the next generation. Many, many of the Zionists at the forefont of the action at the time have children or grandchildren now living in chutz la’Aretz. So that’s why I find it amusing, for lack of better word, to find on this website, that the two most ardent supporters of Zionism on this site have Chareidi children. Is the connection clear now?
Also, may I add, when you were your children’s ages the State was still fairly new and it was hard to see that the zionist ideal would eventually decline. You and I know that your yeshivishe sons and son-in-law are NOT going to “see the Emes”, (as you put it) and embrace the Zionist ideology.
When we talk about Zionists, we do NOT refer to everyone who lives in Eretz Yisroel! (i don’t know anyone who uses such a definition!) I myself have lived there several years and would never consider myself a Zionist. A “Zionist” in todays world refers to a person who believes that the State of Israel is a valid institution as far as thier beliefs go (as you do). In other words, that we Jews had the right and obligation to take Eretz Yisroel by force, and for some, that that mitzva is the raison d’etre. That is a Zionist. I believe it is not valid, you believe it is.
Just answer this, does your sone who lives in Eretz Yisroel consider himself a Zionist??
*You alone have made this argument in regards to chassidim still being around and flourishing.