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Originally posted by RiwkaThus, in school textbooks and other publications it is often claimed that the land of modern Israel was in fact "stolen" from the Arabs and that the Palestinians were effectively "robbed" by the Jews.
This, of course, is nonsense. They bought it from them.
Although Palestinians have legitimate grievances, there is absolutely no historical basis to their claims - some of which are utterly ridiculous - that Palestine is exclusively theirs and that the Jews "stole" their land.
For the truth is that Jews have always lived in 'Palestine' and Jewish settlers did not, as it is often claimed by Arabs, seize land, but rather they bought it.
Critics and foes of Israel should recollect that the state of Israel was established by the Jews on Jewish and legitimately purchased land. And it was blessed by the United Nations and recognized by nations of the world, most notably the United States.
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
By May 1948, when the Mandate expired and Israel was about to proclaim its statehood, land redemption had placed nearly one-tenth of the country under Jewish ownership, the rest being owned by the government or by Arabs.
US-Israel.org:
The Arabs constituted a majority of the population in Palestine as a whole-1.2 million Arabs versus 600,000 Jews.
Originally posted by Valhall
And might I add, that since the Israeli's documented claims of the land being given to them by God for all times was considered irrelevant in the decision of whether they received their homeland or not, the "other side's" religion must also be kept separate when dealing in this LAND ISSUE.
[edit on 6-30-2004 by Valhall]
Will they? I don't know... why don't you hold your breath till it happens and let me know.
Originally posted by Valhall
No, it is NOT relevant. If the Palestinians want to rule their lands with their theological rule, then anyone who doesn't like it needs to move out. It is NOT relevant.
Originally posted by Valhall
Muaddib,
With all due respect, I have no problem whatsoever acknowledging that theocractic societies cannot and do not remove their religion from the legal and cultural codes. I have no problem understanding that.
But what you are apparently unable to do is approach this issue on the legalities and the commitments. If you can't objectively look at a land map, and if you can't objectively review the commitments made by the U.N. because you're too blinded by one party's religion - you're always going to be part of the "global problem" that has facilitated the situation as it is now.
According to your thinking, we would have never handed-over Iraq because, by golly they just might live by Shariah.
And might I add, that since the Israeli's documented claims of the land being given to them by God for all times was considered irrelevant in the decision of whether they received their homeland or not, the "other side's" religion must also be kept separate when dealing in this LAND ISSUE.
Originally posted by Djarums
Not sure about a few things here.
First of all, the 1948 borders were something Israel settled for in 1948 until their friendly neighbors decided no Israel should exist period. If you'll please read some historical reports of the situation it was not the Israelis that disrupted the 1948 UN drawn borders.
Secondly, it's really irrelevant what any of you think about the 1948 borders because Israel is simply not returning to those
Originally posted by James the Lesser
Um, people, the Palestinians didn't "exist" until Israel was formed again. When the Jews weren't there there was no Palestinian or people wanting to form a Palestine. It wasn't until the Jews bought/given the land the the Palestinians popped up. Look it up, before 1940, no Palestinian movement for a Palestine.
Originally posted by James the Lesser
Look it up, before 1940, no Palestinian movement for a Palestine. Until then they were all happy with what they had. Then the Jews move in next door and they start blowing up literally.