Israel & Palestine: History

This is an attempt to understand the tensions surrounding Israel and her relationships with the surrounding countries and peoples. Clearly, it is a fraught topic. On both sides people can have strong views and there can be little agreement on either the facts or the interpretation of the facts.

This is just an attempt to organise those facts to see wher ethey lead. If I have got things factually incorrect, I am very willing to change what I have written. My concern is not so much to support one side or the other but to discover the truth, recognising that that truth might, or might not, support the view of one side. Indeed, one side might be shown to be right in one aspect and the other side in another aspect. I believe that all people are sinful. There is sin on both sides. One of the things we seem to find difficult in or society at the moment is recognising that there are strengths and weaknesses on both sides of most issues. We are inclined to see one group as entirely good and the other as entirely bad. A more nuanced approach might enable us to be more honest and to better understand the issues.

The Bible and the history are not independent. The Bible records very early history although that might be disputed by those who do not accept the truth of the Bible and there might be no archaeological, or other independent evidence to support it. Nevertheless, it might be true and those who believe the Bible to be inspired by God will absolutely believe it is true.

c2000 B.C. - God’s Promise of the Land

God made a covenant with Abram (later renamed Abraham) that included giving him and his descendants the "Promised land".

Genesis 15:18 On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram and said, “To your descendants I give this land, from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates - the land of the Kenites, Kenizzites, Kadmonites, Hittites, Perizzites, Rephaites, Amorites, Canaanites, Girgashites and Jebusites.

But, could this mean to all the descendants of Abram including the descendants of Ishmael? Ishmael is born in the next chapter. The antipathy has not yet started. And Isaac was the child of the covenant established in Chapter 15, not Ishmael.

70 A.D. - The Destruction of Jerusalem

Jewish rebellion against Roman occupation resulted in Rome destroying Jerusalem and the Second Temple.

132-135 A.D. - The Bar Kokhba Revolt

Under the leadership of Simon bar Kokhba who claimed to be the Messiah, the Jews rebelled against Roman occupation. It was a brutal and protracted conflict resulting in heavy casualties on both sides. Jewish forces achieved some early successes and captured some strategic locations. They established an independent Jewish state with Jerusalem as its capital city. However, they were ultimately crushed by the Romans when the city of Bethar fell and Simon bar Kokhba was killed. The emperor Hadrian deployed significant military resources and they recaptured Jerusalem.

Jerusalem was largely destroyed and Jews were banned from living there.

Not all but many Jews were forced to leave Judea to live in other parts of the Roman empire. The severe conditions imposed by the Romans led to many more moving from Judea. Hadrian sought to suppress Jewish religious practices and the study of the Torah. Circumcision and the observance of Jewish laws were prohibited. These measures were designed to assimilate the Jewish population into the broader Roman culture.

This was essentially the end of the Jews having a national home until the reestablishment of Israel in 1948, 1,813 years later. Hadrian renamed Judea “Palestina” as an insult to the Jews. Palestina was the Latin term for the Philistines, historic enemies of the Jews, i.e. a way to dishonour and insult the Jews.

Until 1948, Arabs living in that region were called Palestinians. But so were the Jews living there!

636 - Arabs Take Over Palestine

1099-1291 - The Crusaders rule over Palestine and fight battles against the Muslims

1291 - Mamluk Rule Established

The Muslim Mamluks defeated the Crusaders.

1517 - Ottoman Empire Takes Over Palestine

In all of the time following 135, there was no state called Palestine. The region was always just part of one empire or another.

This continued until 1918. During that time, Jews were barred from buying land in Palestine although some did through “backdoor deals” with local Arabs. Increasingly, Jews were keen to escape conditions where they lived and move to Palestine.

Late 19th/Early 20th Centuries - Arab and Jewish (Zionist) Nationalist Movements

The Zionist movements sought to establish a Jewish homeland in Palestine, while the Arab nationalist movements sought to establish a unified Arab state in the region.

C1882 - the First Aliyah

Jews, mostly Russians trying to escape pogroms in Russia, return to Palestine.

1897 - Zionism Begins

Zionists seek an independent Jewish state largely because of persecution of Jews in other places, such as the Dreyfus Affair (1894-1906 in France). Theodore Hertzl founded the World Zionist organisation.

How Was Land Obtained By Jews From The Late 19th Century to 1948?

According to ChatGPT-3…

The process of Jewish land acquisition in Israel from the late 19th century to 1948 was complex and multifaceted. Here's an overview of how Jews obtained land during this period:

1. Purchase: Many Jews purchased land from local landowners, including Arab and Ottoman landowners. Jewish organizations and individuals bought land legally through private transactions.

2. Baron Edmond de Rothschild: Philanthropist Baron Edmond de Rothschild played a significant role in acquiring land in Palestine. He funded various Jewish settlement projects and land purchases.

3. Jewish National Fund (JNF): The JNF was established to acquire and develop land for Jewish settlement in Palestine. It acquired land through purchase and donations, often with the aim of afforestation and agriculture.

4. Donations and Fundraising: Jewish communities worldwide raised funds to support land acquisition and settlement in Palestine. These donations played a crucial role in financing land purchases.

5. Aliyah: Jewish immigration to Palestine (Aliyah) often involved the allocation of land to new immigrants. Various Aliyah waves, such as the First and Second Aliyah, facilitated land distribution to Jewish settlers.

6. Legal and Diplomatic Efforts: Jews also pursued legal and diplomatic avenues to secure land rights. This included negotiations with the Ottoman authorities and, later, the British Mandate administration.

7. Kibbutzim and Moshavim: Jewish collective settlements like kibbutzim and moshavim were established on acquired land, often with a communal approach to land use and agriculture.

8. Land Disputes: The acquisition of land was not without tensions and disputes with Arab residents and landowners. Land disputes and conflicts were part of the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

It's important to note that this process was not without challenges and complexities, and it played a significant role in the historical and political context of the region. The land acquisition by Jews in Palestine was a critical element in the lead-up to the declaration of the State of Israel in 1948.

Sources:

1. [The Israeli Declaration of Independence: Your Questions...](https://katz.sas.upenn.edu/resources/blog/israeli-declaration-independence-your-questions-answered) 

2. [Declaration of Israel's Independence, 1948](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/truman-israel/) 

The British government expressed support for the establishment of a “national home for Jewish people” in Palestine. This lay the foundations for Jewish immigration and aspirations for statehood.

The proposed Jewish state is shown in blue on the following map, i.e. the current territory of Israel plus Jordan, then called Trans-Jordan.

1920 - The British Mandate Began

The League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine, with the aim of preparing it for self-rule. During the mandate, Jewish immigration increased significantly, leading to demographic changes and tensions with the Arab population. There were Arab pogroms (an organised massacre, especially of Jews) against Jews in Jerusalem, partly because Jews wanted to pray at the Western Wall.

1922 - Arab Objections

The Hussein family objected. Winston Churchill, then Secretary of State, drew a line down the Jordan River to appease the Hussein family, calling the east side Trans-Jordan. That area is still controlled by the Hussein family and is now called Jordan. King Abdullah is part of the Hussein family.

1929 - Hebron Riots

Britain responding to the violence by continuing to appease the Arab population in British Mandate Palestine. They begin restricting land sales and transfers to Jews.

1936-39 - Arab Revolt

The Arab population, concerned about the growing Jewish presence and the British Mandate's perceived favouritism towards Jews, launched the Arab Revolt. This led to increased violence and strained relations between communities.

1939-45 World War II

Jews sided with Britain. The Arabs sided with Hitler hoping the Germans would establish a final solution in Palestine should their troops get that far. Israel sided with Britain and her allies.

The Holocaust, when 6,000,000 Jews were executed, was one of the most extreme examples of the history of persecution of the Jews. It proved pivotal in the desire of many nations to see Israel re-established as an independent nation.

GPT-3.5 says:

The Holocaust, the systematic genocide of six million Jews by Nazi Germany during World War II, had a profound influence on the impetus for Jews to have their own land. Here's how it impacted the Jewish quest for a homeland:

1. Increased Urgency: The Holocaust served as a stark reminder of the vulnerability and perilous condition of Jews in Europe. It increased the urgency among Jews to establish a secure and sovereign homeland where they could exercise self-determination and protect their own interests.

2. International Sympathy: The world's horror at the Holocaust generated significant international sympathy for the Jewish cause. Many countries and international organizations became more receptive to the idea of a Jewish homeland as a form of reparation and protection.

3. Moral Justification: The Holocaust provided a moral justification for the establishment of a Jewish state. It underscored the need for a place where Jews could escape persecution and have a nation of their own.

4. Post-War Resettlement: After World War II, the survivors of the Holocaust faced challenges in returning to their former homes, as anti-Semitism persisted in some European countries. Many Jews looked to resettlement in British Mandate Palestine, which ultimately played a pivotal role in the founding of the State of Israel in 1948.

5. UN Recognition: The United Nations, influenced by the aftermath of the Holocaust, approved the partition plan for Palestine in 1947, leading to the formal recognition of the State of Israel in 1948.

The Holocaust galvanized the Jewish community and the international community, leading to greater support for the establishment of Israel as a Jewish homeland. The memory of the Holocaust remains central to the historical and moral foundation of the State of Israel.

Sources:

1. [Frequently Asked Questions about the Holocaust](https://www.ushmm.org/teach/fundamentals/holocaust-questions) 

2. [36 Questions About the Holocaust](https://www.museumoftolerance.com/education/teacher-resources/holocaust-resources/36-questions-about-the-holocaust.html) 

3. [What Americans Know About the Holocaust](https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2020/01/22/what-americans-know-about-the-holocaust/) 

1947 - Post-WWII

The British, trying to keep a lid on the situation, continued to limit Jewish immigration to Palestine.

After World War II, the British Mandate faced growing international pressure to address the Palestine issue. This led to the 1947 United Nations UN Partition Plan (see below).

The British Mandate officially ended on May 15, 1948, one day after Israel declared itself independent.

Jewish immigration and land acquisitions during the mandate contributed to demographic changes, leading to tension with the Arab population.

The failure to address the political aspirations of both communities sowed the seeds for future conflicts.

On November 29, 1947, the UN Partition Plan proposed the division of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states with international administration of Jerusalem. The plan was approved by the United Nations as Regulation 181. Despite it being fragmented and largely the Negev Desert, this was accepted by the Jewish leadership, but rejected by Arab states. They viewed it as unfair and refused to accept the establishment of a Jewish State.

For about a year, Arabs attacked Jewish settlements in low-level warfare.

1948 - Israeli Declaration Of Independence

May 14, 1948 - Israel Declared Itself Independent

The leader of Israel was David Ben Gurion. He was left wing and anti-religious but understood the necessity of there being a Jewish state.

Very soon the United States and Russia recognised the state of Israel. Other countries followed suit in the following days and months.

The Declaration of Independence asks the Arabs to stay. It states the desire to be a state for all citizens - a Jewish state but incorporating Arabs as citizens.

May 15, 1948 - The British Mandate Officially Ended

Was There Ever A Palestinian State?

In all this time, there was never a Palestinian state as such. There were Arabs living in the land but that land had always been a region of some other empire and never a state, for example, with its own leadership, government, coinage, etc.. The concept of a Palestinian state arose in the late 20th century.

1948-49 Arab-Israeli War

Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and Iraq attacked the new Jewish state seeking to prevent its establishment.

Israel captured more land than had been proposed in the UN Partition Plan.

Egypt took control of the Gaza Strip which then became the home to many Palestinian refugees. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were evicted in an event known to the Palestinians as the “Nakba”, the catastrophe. More than 500,000 fled to refugee camps in Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Some were forcibly expelled; some were terrorised and so fled. Many went from being farmers and peasants to being refugees, totally dependent on handouts.

1949 - Israel’s Armistice With Egypt

Israel signed an armistice agreement with Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

1956 - Suez Crisis

The Suez Canal had been operated by a joint British-French company but Egypt’s president, Gamal Abdel Nasser, nationalised it (July 26, 1956), threatening the influence of the colonial powers. Britain, France and Israel invaded beginning on October 29. Israeli forces advanced towards the Suez Canal invading the Sinai Peninsula.

November 6, 1956 - the UN passed a resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire and withdrawal.

The United States and the USSR opposed the invasion and pressured Britain, France and Israel to withdraw, which they did in March 1957. The Suez Canal remained under Egyptian control.

The Suez Crisis marked a shift in influence in the Middle east from the colonial powers to the superpowers.

The international pressure on Israel (in collaboration with Britain and France) heightened Israel’s sense of isolation in the region.

The crisis led to the formation of the UN Emergency Force to maintain peace in the Sinai Peninsular. This was the first UN peace-keeping force.

1964 - The Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) Established

The PLO had the objective of destroying Israel and establishing a Palestinian state.

Egypt, Jordan and Syria made  a surprise attack on Israel.

In a war that lasted only 6 days, Israel captured the Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt, the Golan Heights from Syria and the West Bank and East Jerusalem from Jordan. Thousands of Israelis moved to those areas and settled, violating international law set by the United Nations.

Palestinian resistance groups increased terror attacks, backed by the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO) which began representing Palestinians on the world stage in the mid-1960s.

The map below has been sourced from Palestinian Portal where it is described as "one of the best teaching tools to convey succinctly what has happened to the Palestinian people". A more detailed version appears below. But, how truthful is it? Watch the video below for comment on it. You decide which you find convincing. Note that the video comes from the Ayn Rand Institute. Ayn Rand's philosophy is decidedly unchristian so the video is not reflecting a Christian bias.

1972 - Munich Olympics Massacre

…resulted in the deaths of 11 Israelis, 1 German police officers and 5 Palestinian gunmen.

1973 - The Yom Kippur War

Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on one of the most holy days in its calendar. Israel repelled the attacks and maintained control of its captured territories.

1976 - Entebbe Raid

1978 - Camp David Accords

Israel and Egypt signed a peace treaty. Israel agreed to withdraw from the Sinai Peninsula.

1982 - Israel Invaded Lebanon

Israel invaded Lebanon to capture PLO forces

1985 - Israel Withdrew From Lebanon

Israel withdrew from Lebanon but maintained a “security zone” in southern Lebanon until 2000.

December 1987-93 - First Intifada (Uprising)

An intifada is a Palestinian uprising against Israeli “occupation”. Fighting took place in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank consisting of protests, civil disobedience and violent attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The Israeli military responded with huge force.

Hamas emerged out of the first intifada. At first Israel tolerated it believing it to be a strictly religious, not political, organisation. It was seen as a foil Israel could manipulate against the PLO. Hamas was founded in Gaza by Sheik Ahmed Yassin, a Palestinian cleric, as an offshoot of the Egypt-based Muslim Brotherhood.

1988

Hamas published its charter calling for the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic state in its place.

• Excerpts of the 1988 charter

• The full 1988 charter

N.B. in 2017 they published a Document Of General Principles And Policies.

December 1988 

Yasser Arafat, the PLO leader recognised Israel’s right to exist. Hamas continued with its belief that Israel should be eliminated.

1991 - Izzedine Al-Qassam established

Izzedine Al-Qassam is the military wing of Hamas

1993 - Hamas suicide bombings began

Hamas began suicide bombings in Israel.

In total, 2,000 people were killed, roughly 1500 Palestinians and 500 Israelis.

1993 - Oslo Accords

Following secret talks overseen by the Norwegian government, Israel and the PLO signed a peace agreement: The Oslo Accords led to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority. Israel and the PLO agreed to mutual recognition and limited self-government in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

This triggered a violent reaction from extremists, both Israeli and Palestinian, including Hamas who consider the Palestinian Authority too secular and moderate.

October 26, 1994 - Peace Treaty With Jordan

1995 - Yitzhak Rabin Assassinated

A right wing Jewish extremist assassinated Israel’s Prime Minister, Yitzhak Rabin.

1996 - Benjamin Netanyahu Rejected the Oslo Accords

Benjamin Netanyahu was leader of the right wing Likud Party. Reflecting the views of the settlers and the right wing, Netanyahu said that Oslo had been a mistake. Netanyahu presented himself as the expert on terrorism.

1997 - Hamas Designated A Terrorist Organisation

The U.S.A. and dozens of other countries designated Hamas a terrorist organisation following Hamas’ Iran-supported use of explosives and rockets, along with suicide bombing and kidnappings to target Israel.

1999 - Ariel Sharon Became Prime Minister

Likud was defeated. Ariel Sharon, a former military commander, became leader of Likud.

2000 - Sharon visited the Temple Mount

Ariel Sharon led a march on the Temple Mount to assert Israeli claims to the bitterly contested site. This led to an eruption of violence in East Jerusalem and Ramallah in the West Bank, initiating the Second Intifada.

2000-05 - Second Intifada

Further violence and unrest between Israelis and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Palestinian suicide bombers detonated themselves in Israeli buses and cafes.

Sharon, now Prime Minister, ordered Israel troops into the West Bank and Gaza.

More than 4.300 people died in the Second Intifada, more Palestinians than Israelis. Arafat had calculated that the violence would provide the Palestinians with leverage and so did not clamp down on it. This was a strategic mistake. Instead, this intifada killed any readiness among the Israeli public to back the Oslo process and to continue turning over territories to the Palestinians.

2004 - Arafat Died and Mahmoud Abbas Took Over the PLO

The Security Wall

Israel began building a security wall between the West Bank and Israel and renewed expansion of West Bank Jewish settlements.

2003 - The “Road Map”

Ariel Sharon unilaterally proposed withdrawing all Israeli troops from Gaza and dismantling Israeli settlements.

August 2005 - Israel Withdrew From The Gaza Strip

Israel, under Ariel Sharon, unilaterally withdrew its 8,000 citizen and its military from the Gaza Strip, dismantling 21 settlements and handing control to the Palestinians under the leadership of Fatah (formerly known as the Palestine National Liberation Movement).

Israel built a security fence on the border and continued to control the borders of Gaza.

2006 - Israel-Lebanon War

Conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group supported by Iran and Syria.

2006 - Hamas Won The Palestinian Legislative Elections

Hamas gained a surprise win in the Palestinian Legislative Elections and then seized full control of Gaza, overthrowing forces loyal to Palestinian Authority president, Mahmoud Abbas. Much of the international community cut off aid to Caza, not wanting to fund a terrorist-sponsored territory.

Tensions between Palestinian factions increased. Hamas continued its hard line towards Israel claiming that Israel had occupied their land, killed their leaders, demolished their homes and jailed their sons and uprooted their trees. They would never be its ally (Mahmoud Al Zahar). 

2007 - Hamas Gained Control Of The Gaza Strip

After a violent conflict with Fatah, Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip, leading to division between the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip.

In response to continued Hamas attacks from Gaza, Israel imposed a blockade. The UN says the blockade has deepened the humanitarian crisis for the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Hamas is accused of taking the money it had accumulated, and the international aid it has received and, instead of building infrastructure and providing for the Palestinian people, has used it to build a network of tunnels and to build armaments. While the international community has poured relief into Gaza, the poverty of the Palestinian people has deepened because of the diversion of those funds by Hamas. They have devoted their resources to the destruction of Israel rather than the welfare of their own people.

2008-09 - War In Gaza Strip

2012 - War In Gaza Strip

2014 - War In Gaza Strip

Rocket attacks from Gaza have led to Israeli air and ground attacks on Gaza.

2018 - “Great March Of Return” Protests

These protests began on the Gaza-Israel border, leading to further violence and casualties.

September 2020 - The Abraham Accords

The Abraham Accords are a series of bilateral agreements on Arab-Israeli normalization that were signed between Israel and several Arab states. These agreements aim to establish diplomatic relations, trade, and cooperation in various fields. They were signed on September 15, 2020, primarily involving Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain, with subsequent agreements with other countries.

The agreements were brokered by the United States of America during the presidency of Donald Trump.

The Abraham Accords are significant for promoting peace in the Middle East by fostering stronger diplomatic ties and economic cooperation between nations in a historically conflict-ridden region. These agreements mark a departure from the traditional approach to Arab-Israeli relations and have been recognized as a positive step towards regional stability and prosperity.

However, Palestinian leaders opposed the accords. Mahmoud Abbas denounced them. Saeb Erekat, a senior Palestinian official described it as being stabbed with a poisonous dagger. Iran sees the accords as a threat because their sworn enemies, Israel and the UAE have joined hands.

May 2021 - War In Gaza

Significant damage and casualties in the Gaza Strip before a ceasefire was reached.

There have been tensions over Israeli restrictions barring young Muslim men visiting the Al Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount, and, in October 2023, over Jewish settlers gathering at the mosque for Jewish prayers

October 7, 2023 - Hamas attacked Israeli Citizens

Hamas terrorists penetrated the security wall around Gaza and 1,500 terrorists entered Israel and attacked, slaughtered and abducted 1,400 mostly civilian Jews in the worst mass-murder of Jews since the holocaust. They took about 240 hostages.

Israel had been supplying electricity, humanitarian aid, food, allowing Palestinians to enter Israel to work. That was cut off in the wake of the war. Only very limited aid has been allowed into Gaza, via the Rafah Crossing with Egypt. This also allows for the evacuation of a limited number of injured Palestinians.

Israel has continued with a heavy bombardment of Gaza, including killing many civilians. Hamas has continued to fire rockets into Israel.

Israel’s issue is not with the Palestinian people but with Hamas. Israel would say that Hamas is responsible for Israel's reprisals and Hamas must be wiped out if Israel is to be secure.

How should Israel respond?

Clearly there will be different opinions. Some will argue that Israel cannot tolerate a neighbour who is fighting for the eradication of Jews and of Israel as a country and who continues to launch terror attacks. You cannot allow terrorists to simply continue. Israel has declared that Hamas must be wiped out.

In this view, the civilian casualties are the unfortunate result of Hamas' policy of using its own citizens as human shields. Hamas sites its military infrastructure amongst the civilian population - in schools and hospitals and residential neighbourhoods.

On the other hand, many would see Israel's response as too severe - disproportionate. The refusal to allow aid into the Gaza Strip for the suffering population, and the heavy bombardment of Gaza including what they claim are Hamas targets but are situated amongst civilians, cause the international community to sympathise with the Palestinians and to see Israel as heartless. It is described as "collective punishment" of the civilian population and may be a war crime.

Whose Land Is It?

How do you determine who owns land?

• Purchased?

• Captured?

• Used to live there?

  • What happens when various peoples used to live there?

• Currently occupied?

From 586 B.C. when Judah was sent into exile by the Babylonians, the Jews have been scattered and the land has been occupied by various empires:

• • Babylonians

  • Greeks

  • Romans

  • 1099-1291 - Crusaders

  • 1291-1517 - Mamluks

  • 1517-1917 - Ottoman Turks

  • 1917-1948 - British Mandate

It is no wonder everyone claims it. But, clearly, the Jews had been in the land many centuries before. They were not the original inhabitants. Can they therefore be called “indigenous”? But God had promised them the land.

We cannot defend everything Israel has done. Returning to their homeland was met with resistance and war. The way they went about repossessing the land was messy. Palestinian families and whole villages were displaced leading to animosity. That has fuelled Arab hatred of Israel and the chants of “Death to Jews”.

But it is wrong to say the Jews had never been there and it belongs to the Palestinians. On the other hand, Palestinians were there. Some lost their land so that Jews could return. Most land acquisitions were by purchase but not all.