Superb essay. Very helpful reminders for those of us arguing against the multitude of ignorant Israel haters. Sadly, including many anti-zionist Jews. All the actually colonialist countries, (e.g. the UK, Spain, Portugal, etc.) have some chutzpah saying Palestinians, as war-like as they are, should have another of their own states, bordering the HEART of Israel. Have they committed troops to sit on the border of the West Bank and Gaza to prevent their folly from turning into a total invasion of Israel? Israel is hated for its thriving success, democracy, freedoms, technology and military successes (at great sacrifice.)
I ask anyone pushing for Israel's unilaterally ending the war, whether they truly believe the Arabs surrounding Israel really want to live in peaceful coexistence? Ask Israeli Arab citizens if they would feel safe? It is clear that Hamas and all their bedfellows will never give up their goal of killing all Israelis. How can the world ignore that? And where is the hue and cry against real colonialism, like China's taking over Tibet?
Well put together! As a non-Jew (my kids call me an ‘honorary MOTT) Of Swiss origin, my family is proudly Jewish. My life partner is beautifully Jewish. I’m continually stunned at the absolute hatred and vitriol aimed at Zionists even, as you point out, coming from some Jews themselves. Israel shines as a TINY beacon of light-an example of what is possible- in a sea of chaotic, war-driven Arab states. I’ve visited Israel a few times now. It should become the blueprint for anti-colonialism, coexistence, acceptance of all and rule of law. Your article will help me to defend this ‘little Swiss’ oasis. Thank you.
I have Jewish ancestry and I fully agree with the Jews‘ right to a State of their own and its right to defend itself but I don‘t understand why you‘re saying “Jews bought *much* of the land from absentee landlords under Ottoman and British rule thereafter“. My own research doesn‘t reveal it was that many percent. What are your sources for saying Jews bought “much of the land“? Just how many percent of the current area of Israel was actually bought by Jews in the time period in question? Thank you in advance for your kind reply.
By 1947, Jews owned 463,000 acres of land in Palestine, of which 45,000 acres was bought from the mandatory government, 30,000 acres from churches, and 387,500 from Arab landowners. The rest was former Ottoman state land.
Superb essay. Very helpful reminders for those of us arguing against the multitude of ignorant Israel haters. Sadly, including many anti-zionist Jews. All the actually colonialist countries, (e.g. the UK, Spain, Portugal, etc.) have some chutzpah saying Palestinians, as war-like as they are, should have another of their own states, bordering the HEART of Israel. Have they committed troops to sit on the border of the West Bank and Gaza to prevent their folly from turning into a total invasion of Israel? Israel is hated for its thriving success, democracy, freedoms, technology and military successes (at great sacrifice.)
I ask anyone pushing for Israel's unilaterally ending the war, whether they truly believe the Arabs surrounding Israel really want to live in peaceful coexistence? Ask Israeli Arab citizens if they would feel safe? It is clear that Hamas and all their bedfellows will never give up their goal of killing all Israelis. How can the world ignore that? And where is the hue and cry against real colonialism, like China's taking over Tibet?
Well put together! As a non-Jew (my kids call me an ‘honorary MOTT) Of Swiss origin, my family is proudly Jewish. My life partner is beautifully Jewish. I’m continually stunned at the absolute hatred and vitriol aimed at Zionists even, as you point out, coming from some Jews themselves. Israel shines as a TINY beacon of light-an example of what is possible- in a sea of chaotic, war-driven Arab states. I’ve visited Israel a few times now. It should become the blueprint for anti-colonialism, coexistence, acceptance of all and rule of law. Your article will help me to defend this ‘little Swiss’ oasis. Thank you.
I have Jewish ancestry and I fully agree with the Jews‘ right to a State of their own and its right to defend itself but I don‘t understand why you‘re saying “Jews bought *much* of the land from absentee landlords under Ottoman and British rule thereafter“. My own research doesn‘t reveal it was that many percent. What are your sources for saying Jews bought “much of the land“? Just how many percent of the current area of Israel was actually bought by Jews in the time period in question? Thank you in advance for your kind reply.
By 1947, Jews owned 463,000 acres of land in Palestine, of which 45,000 acres was bought from the mandatory government, 30,000 acres from churches, and 387,500 from Arab landowners. The rest was former Ottoman state land.
Thank you very much for your reply. What are the sources for the numbers you gave?
Grannot A, The Land System of Palestine (London, Eyre & Spottiswoode), 1958.
Thank you very much, Nachum Kaplan!