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May 22, 2001 The Problematic "Settlements" Introduction The notion that West Bank and Gaza "settlements" are the cause of the Arab-Israeli conflict has been a long-standing theme of Arab propaganda and of United States administrations. Arabs have banked on their ability to distort reality, while the U.S. has been misguided for years. The following will illustrate the fallacy of this notion. Western Zionism began in 1897, after which Jews immigrated to the Land of Israel (named by the Romans "Palestine" in 70 CE). Jews had always inhabited this land, including cities such as Hebron and Shechem (renamed Nablus by the Romans) located in YESHA (Hebrew acronym for Judea, Samaria and Gaza, commonly known as West Bank and Gaza). 1926 and 1939 are known for widespread massacres during which scores of Jews were killed by Arabs. The entire Jewish community of Hebron, for example, was wiped out in 1936. In 1964, sixteen years after the establishment of the state of Israel, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was formed, with a Charter focused on destroying Israel. In 1967, the Six Day War resulted in the Israeli acquisition of Sinai, Gaza, Judea, Samaria, and the Golan. In preparation for this war Israelis feared the worst, believing that the Arabs would massacre them. Fear had reached such a high point, that public parks in Tel-Aviv were prepared as graveyards. After Israel's victory, a spiritual revival swept the country as Jews regained access to their holiest sites. Yet the destruction of synagogues and other holy sites that were under Jordanian and Egyptian rule between 1948 and 1967 was painful. The first settlers in YESHA, enjoying the support of the Labor government, were comprised of religious people believing that Israel's strength came from the unity of its people with their land. Later on, many non-religious relocated to that area, including members of the political Left - the political group that founded the concept of resettlement in Israel. Today, 67% of YESHA residents are non-religious, many attracted to the area for its superior living conditions and schooling. The settlements were established on the sites of ancient Jewish towns on lands owned by the government of Israel. Jordanian records kept between 1948-1967 indicate the location of ancient Jewish towns, near which Arab villages were built. In some cases Arabs maintained Jewish artifacts and sites between 1948-1967, and in others they did not. All areas of YESHA were mentioned in the Jewish Bible and in the Talmud. Central Gaza, for example, is home to an ancient synagogue. Since 1967, religious and non-religious residents of YESHA have shown great determination having lived through two major campaigns of Arab violence (known as Intifada), and numerous skirmishes. With time, these people realized that the Arab-Israeli conflict was not limited to YESHA- it comprised all of Israel. Concluding Points Palestinian-Arab violence is entirely independent of the settlements in Judea, Samaria, and Gaza. The Palestinian Authority, governed by PLO leadership, has for years used the "Jewish settlements" as an excuse to breed hatred and violence against the Jews, and to commit atrocities. Recall that the PLO was established in 1964 - three years before any settlements were built, at which point Jerusalem was never an Arab issue, and during which time sites revered as holy by Muslims (such as Abraham's Tomb) were never visited by Arabs. At first, Jewish residents of YESHA lived in relative harmony with the Arabs. Today, the Palestinian Authority , while sometimes cooperating on matters of transportation infrastructure, sanitation, and more, discourages Arabs from shopping or working in Jewish towns, or having any kind of friendly relationship with the Jews. The Arabs have shown their inability to respect other religions and thus do not deserve to rule over Jewish holy sites. Joseph's Tomb, for example, was stormed, burnt, destroyed, and rebuilt as a Mosque. Jews cannot access this site. Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem is currently under continuous Arab fire. The dehumanization of "settlers" must end. They are non-violent people who have a basic human right and an historical right to reside in places from which their ancestors were expelled. The United States and the world must get it right - the "settlements" are not the problem. Arab violence is. Ilan Friedman * Information provided by Yehudit Tayar of YESHA Council MidEastTruth www.mideasttruth.org truth@mideasttruth.org |
