I remember reading rumors a few years ago that Russell/the society sent correspondance to the Rothschilds and an article of a Jewish website that covers him as one of the Christian figures that most contributed to the eventual emergence of the state of Israel.
Russell's legacy as an enthusiastic, non-proselytizing Zionist has been acknowledged by none other than the incumbent prime minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, who said, “A recognition of Pastor Russell's important role as an early American Christian advocate of Zionism is long overdue.” The late Jeane Kirkpatrick, former the U.S. ambassador to the UN, called Russell a “neglected man and chapter in the history of Zionism.”
Early advocate of Zionism
On August 18, 1891, now in Jerusalem, Russell wrote to the philanthropists Baron Maurice de Hirsch and Baron Edmond de Rothschild, or as he puts it “the two leading Hebrews of the world.” No less, he put forward a practical plan for Zionism.
It involved purchasing all government-owned land in Palestine, i.e., land not held by private owners, from the impoverished Ottoman Empire. Years later Herzl would make similar proposals. (A copy of the letter is published in "Zion's Watchtower and Herald of Christ's Presence", December 1891, pp. 170-171.)
Rutherford initially continued the trend but as time passed the society distanced itself from zionism.