How Israel justifies its apparent land grab in modern Palestine
1. The Land of Canaan belongs to Israel
God gave the land of Canaan to the Israelites. He made a covenant with Abraham that his descendants, through his son Isaac, would possess the land (Genesis 12:7, 15:18-21).
God tells Moses that they will inherit the land (Exodus 3:8). Their imminent return in 1948 was prophesied in Ezekiel 36:8–15 and Jeremiah 23:3; 30:3-8;31.
The land known as Canaan was situated in the territory of the southern Levant, which today encompasses Israel, the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, and the southern portions of Syria and Lebanon. [Penn Museum]
The problem: not everyone believes in the God of Israel
Biblical manuscripts that show Israel’s roots in modern Palestine are historical documents. It is supported by archeology and extra-Biblical sources.
Hence, it is equally problematic to invalidate Israel’s claim to occupied lands and call it a relentless and illegal “land grab.”
Although a long list of conquerors took Israel, the people miraculously managed to preserve its religious tradition, gather its people across continents, and resurrect their dead Hebrew language. [Timeline of Israel]
The land of Palestine was the Land of Judea
Palestine was previously known as the land of Judea (or Judaea). Israelites have inhabited it for at least 3,000 years.
Ancient manuscripts and archeology support Israel’s rights to the land (including the West Bank), although disputed to be part of a “modern Palestine.” Judea is still used to describe approximately the same area in modern Israel. [Britanica]
2. Spoils of war: Israel’s strategy to create buffer zones
Israel was pushed to strengthen its military
The growing military strength of Israel has made it possible to reduce its casualties and its enemy on the losing end with death and destruction. Without its Iron Dome, Israel would have been wiped out.
The reason Israel kept on expanding is that its Arab nations kept on attacking and making threats to eradicate Israel from the face of the map since 1948. [Times OI]
Israel gained some territory formerly granted to Palestinian Arabs under the United Nations resolution in 1947. At the same time, Egypt and Jordan retained control over the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Naturally, what followed was increased hatred for the Jews by its Muslim neighbors. Israel is bent on creating a buffer zone to protect its people and reclaim its holy sites.
WATCH as the Iron Dome Aerial Defense System intercepts rockets over southern Israel: pic.twitter.com/xUz3bMuTzz
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 12, 2021
3. Ancient roots of Israel’s occupied territories
In June 1967, the West Bank and East Jerusalem were captured by Israel due after the Six-Day War. As spoils of war, Israel was able to regain parts of its ancient territory.
After modern Israel was formed in 1948, a coalition of Arab nations launched a failed invasion of the Jewish state known as the First Arab-Israeli War.
East Jerusalem
East Jerusalem continues to be under the control of Israel since 1967. It is where the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Western Wall (west wall of the Temple of Jerusalem) is located.
The disputed West Bank
Apparently, Israel is protecting itself and its rightful territory, including the Israeli-occupied part of the West Bank, which was known as the lands of Judea and Samaria.
The area of the West Bank, known as (northern) Samaria, was inhabited by the Tribe of Manasseh.
The tribe was the descendants of Manasseh, the grandson of Israel, whose name was Jacob, the father of Joseph (Genesis 41:50–52). They are one of the ten tribes of Israel that were forced into exile.
In 2015, Iran’s President said Israel should be wiped off the map.
West Bank: the lands of Judea and Samaria.
Jews have been silent for thousands of years
Antisemitism from the Greek and Roman period to the middle ages and Hitler’s holocaust have killed millions of Jews as if it was duck season.
Jews could have sent suicide bombers or terrorist squads to get back at Germany and those who hated them. Yet, all they wanted was to return to their land.
Perhaps, Israel is silent no more.
