The history of Israel is a tale of resilience, survival, and unwavering determination in the face of countless challenges. A land with a storied past dating back millennia, Israel holds a unique place in the world's collective consciousness. As this nation once again finds itself at the crossroads of conflict and uncertainty, it is crucial that we stand in solidarity with the people of Israel and offer our prayers for peace. Understanding the historical context and the significance of this land is essential to appreciate the reasons why our support and prayers are so vital during these times of war.
History of Israel
Israel became a nation in 1312 BC, two thousand years before the rise of Islam. Arab refugees in Israel began identifying as part of the Palestinian people in 1967, two decades after establishing the modern state of Israel.
Arab refugees in Israel began identifying themselves as part of a Palestinian people in 1967, two decades after the establishment of the modern State of Israel.
Since the Jewish conquest in 1272 B.C.E. the Jews have had dominion over the land for one thousand years with a continuous presence in the ground for the past 3,300 years.
The ONLY Arab dominion since the conquest of 635 C.E. lasted no more than 22 years.
For over 3,300 years, Jerusalem has been the Jewish capital. Jerusalem has never been the capital of any Arab or Muslim entity. Jerusalem is mentioned over 700 times in Tanach, the Jewish Holy Scriptures.
Jerusalem is not mentioned once in the Koran.
King David founded the city of Jerusalem. Mohammed never came to Jerusalem. Jews pray facing Jerusalem. Muslims pray with their backs to Jerusalem.
Arab & Jewish Refugees
In 1948, the Arab refugees were encouraged to leave Israel by Arab leaders promising to purge the land of Jews. Sixty-eight percent left withoutdier. The refugees were forced to flee from Arab lands due to Arab brutality, persecution, and pogroms. (A violent riot incited to massacre or expel a minority group- usually Jews.)
The number of Arab refugees who left Israel in 1948 is estimated to be around 630,000. The number of Jewish refugees from Arab lands is estimated to be the same.
Arab refugees were intentionally not absorbed or integrated into the Arab lands to which they fled despite the vast Arab territory. Out of the 100,000,000 refugees since World War II, theirs is the only refugee group in the world that has never been absorbed or integrated into their own peoples' lands. Jewish refugees were completely absorbed into Israel, a country no larger than New Jersey.
The Arab - Israeli Conflict
The Arabs are represented by eight separate nations, not including the Palestinians. There is only one Jewish nation.
The Arab nations initiated all five wars and lost. Israel defended itself each time and won.
The PLO's Charter still calls for the destruction of the State of Israel. Israel has given the Palestinians most of the West Bank land,
autonomy under the Palestinian Authority and has supplied them with weapons.
Under Jordanian rule, Jewish holy sites were desecrated, and the Jews were denied access to places of worship. Under Israeli rule, all Muslim and Christian sites have been preserved and made accessible to people of all faiths.
The U.N. Record on Israel and the Arabs
Of the 175 Security Council resolutions passed before 1990, 97 were directed against Israel.
Of the 690 General Assembly resolutions voted on before 1990, 429 were directed against Israel.
The U.N was silent while the Jordanians destroyed 58 Jerusalem Synagogues.
The U.N. was silent while the Jordanians systematically desecrated the ancient Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives.
The U.N. was silent while the Jordanians enforced an apartheid-like policy of preventing Jews from visiting the Temple Mount and the Western Wall.
****These are incredible times. We have to ask what our role should be. What will we tell our grandchildren we did when there was a turning point in Jewish destiny, an opportunity to make a difference. Start now. Please send this to 20 other people you know and ask them to send it to twenty others. Jew and non-Jew, it doesn't matter. The truth and the cause of peace are universal values we all share.
A great resource to get honest reporting on Israel is from HonestReporting.com.
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