RSS Feeds
Roots in the Holy Land
1.
In his book “The Ethnic Cleansing of Palestine,” Ilan Pappe quotes the following words of Zionist leader David Ben-Gurion from a 1947 speech to senior members of his political party: “There are 40% non-Jews in the areas allocated to the Jewish state. This composition is not a solid basis for a Jewish state. And we have to face this new reality with all its severity and distinctness. Such demographic balance questions our ability to maintain Jewish sovereignty … Only a state with at least 80% Jews is a viable and stable state.”
This mindset of led to the deliberate expulsion of two thirds of Palestinians from what is now Israel.
2. Rather than relying on selected quotes by Zionist leaders meant for public consumption, Pearl, should look to more current and iluminating historical works by so-called new Israeli historians such as that of Ilan Pappe who draw on more recently released Israeli military archives and private papers of Zionist leaders in order to draw a vastly different conclusion about the motives of Israel’s founders.
3. Typical of Bishaart to hide details and to leave a false impression. In the begiining of May 2002 , about a month after the murderous attack in Netanya at the Park Hotel, a naval commando unit was operating in Shechem (Nablus) with the purpose of apprehending Ali Hadiri. Ali Hadiri was the Hamas terrorist responsible for the attack at the Park Hotel. The child, Amad was not killed "for no reason" but was an unfortunate victim caught in the crossfire. The lack of detail by Bishaart isn't incidental, rather it is intentional and deceptive.
4. One’s perspective on this issue turns on the following q’s: (1) Do Jews have legit ties to the land? Pearl: yes. Bisharat: no. Pearl would say it’s the only homeland Jews have known and yearned for throughout the ages. Bisharat sees Jews as European colonizers. (2) Are peoples entitled to self-determination? Pearl: yes. Bisharat: no. Pearl would argue that the vast majority of states formed in the past 100 years are based on ethnic nationalism (e.g. Poland, Korea, Pakistan, Turkey). Bisharat would argue that states boundaries should either not have to do with demographics, or alternatively should only follow ancient demographics.
5. I found this weeklong exchange both insightful and disappointing. While their perspectives were thoughtful and rooted in facts, the chasm between the two is rooted in philosophical divisions that cannot accommodate each other and that neither will forego. And when there can be no compromise, there will be no compromise.
6. I question the credibility of Bishrat facts. "Land without people" was never used by Israelis. See www.meforum.org-/article/1877. No case of "rape" was documented in 1948. "rape-scare" was Arab scare tactic that backfired. See BBC documentary, March 15, 1998, for full Arab confession.
7. The main accountability should be on the British who regulated the amount of Jews to Arab immigration ratio. The biased nonjewish immigration was obviously meant to expell the Jews from Israel when the UN partition ended in 1948. instead the Jews happen to reclaim their homeland. Britain needs to take care of the needs of the displaced Palestinians instead of continuing the fuel the war between Israeli Jews and Arabs. Fueling the Palestinian cause fuels war and should be discouraged.
8. I don't know if peace in the historical lands of the 3 major religions of the world will ever be accomplished. The echoes from the past drown out the voices of the present. I pray that more people will read articles like this one and truly see the level of complexity that is associated with resolving these problems. Extremism must be abandoned, revenge must be set aside. God bless all people and good will on earth and peace to all men.
9. What an incredible article! I am profoundly moved and saddened, reading the reasoned and articulate writings of two men, each on different sides of this issue. Our actions and the actions of our ancestors reverberate through history.
10. I have read this series with an open mind and have learned a lot of history. I want to thank, both George and Judea for this civil debate. There were things I have learned about both sides. There is a lot of mistrust to overcome for both groups of people and I think it is time that America puts forth a better effort to be an unbiased party in assisting a peaceful resolution to a land that has seen far too much suffering and destruction.
Submitted by: Ken G.
2. Rather than relying on selected quotes by Zionist leaders meant for public consumption, Pearl, should look to more current and iluminating historical works by so-called new Israeli historians such as that of Ilan Pappe who draw on more recently released Israeli military archives and private papers of Zionist leaders in order to draw a vastly different conclusion about the motives of Israel’s founders.
Submitted by: Ken G.
3. Typical of Bishaart to hide details and to leave a false impression. In the begiining of May 2002 , about a month after the murderous attack in Netanya at the Park Hotel, a naval commando unit was operating in Shechem (Nablus) with the purpose of apprehending Ali Hadiri. Ali Hadiri was the Hamas terrorist responsible for the attack at the Park Hotel. The child, Amad was not killed "for no reason" but was an unfortunate victim caught in the crossfire. The lack of detail by Bishaart isn't incidental, rather it is intentional and deceptive.
Submitted by: S Toren
4. One’s perspective on this issue turns on the following q’s: (1) Do Jews have legit ties to the land? Pearl: yes. Bisharat: no. Pearl would say it’s the only homeland Jews have known and yearned for throughout the ages. Bisharat sees Jews as European colonizers. (2) Are peoples entitled to self-determination? Pearl: yes. Bisharat: no. Pearl would argue that the vast majority of states formed in the past 100 years are based on ethnic nationalism (e.g. Poland, Korea, Pakistan, Turkey). Bisharat would argue that states boundaries should either not have to do with demographics, or alternatively should only follow ancient demographics.
Submitted by: Matthew
5. I found this weeklong exchange both insightful and disappointing. While their perspectives were thoughtful and rooted in facts, the chasm between the two is rooted in philosophical divisions that cannot accommodate each other and that neither will forego. And when there can be no compromise, there will be no compromise.
Submitted by: Matthew
6. I question the credibility of Bishrat facts. "Land without people" was never used by Israelis. See www.meforum.org-/article/1877. No case of "rape" was documented in 1948. "rape-scare" was Arab scare tactic that backfired. See BBC documentary, March 15, 1998, for full Arab confession.
Submitted by: truthwatcher
7. The main accountability should be on the British who regulated the amount of Jews to Arab immigration ratio. The biased nonjewish immigration was obviously meant to expell the Jews from Israel when the UN partition ended in 1948. instead the Jews happen to reclaim their homeland. Britain needs to take care of the needs of the displaced Palestinians instead of continuing the fuel the war between Israeli Jews and Arabs. Fueling the Palestinian cause fuels war and should be discouraged.
Submitted by: coh
8. I don't know if peace in the historical lands of the 3 major religions of the world will ever be accomplished. The echoes from the past drown out the voices of the present. I pray that more people will read articles like this one and truly see the level of complexity that is associated with resolving these problems. Extremism must be abandoned, revenge must be set aside. God bless all people and good will on earth and peace to all men.
Submitted by: Tim
9. What an incredible article! I am profoundly moved and saddened, reading the reasoned and articulate writings of two men, each on different sides of this issue. Our actions and the actions of our ancestors reverberate through history.
Submitted by: Tim
10. I have read this series with an open mind and have learned a lot of history. I want to thank, both George and Judea for this civil debate. There were things I have learned about both sides. There is a lot of mistrust to overcome for both groups of people and I think it is time that America puts forth a better effort to be an unbiased party in assisting a peaceful resolution to a land that has seen far too much suffering and destruction.
Submitted by: Dan S