by Faika Salem (special contribution)
Palestine’s Story
(STT, October 27, 2023). Why don’t we get the history ‘down pat’ first?
On May 15,1948, Jews around the world cheered the creation of the state of Israel, yet war broke out the next day.
The Arab- Israeli War of 1948 broke out when five Arab nations invaded territory in the former Palestinian mandate and following that was the announcement of the new state, Israel.
At least 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homeland…
At least 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homeland by Zionist militias to create the state of Israel.
This event is known as the “Nakba” or catastrophe. Keep in mind Palestine was composed of Palestinians, Christians, and Jews living relatively happily.
Other historical names for the region include Canaan, the Promised Land, the Land of Israel, or the Holy Land.
Some definitions of the geography of Palestine also include parts of northwestern Jordan. Other historical names for the region include Canaan, the Promised Land, the Land of Israel, and the Holy Land.
Officially governed by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), it claims the West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip as its territory, though the entirety of that territory has been under Israeli occupation since the 1967 Six-Day War.
Take a look at a map of Palestine from 1917 vs now. Without any words, you can tell that the land on the map was all Palestinians, until 1948 when the Israeli occupation decided to team up with America on stealing Palestinian land.
Israeli law also authorized the Israeli state to take private property from Palestinian public needs, which is subsequently passed on to settler infrastructure.
Although Israeli settlers and Palestinians in the occupied territories live in the same land, they are subject to two separate and unequal legal systems based on their religion.
As Human Rights Watch noted in a June 2017 statement entitled, Israel: 50 Years of Occupation Abuses :
“Israel applies Israeli civil law to settlers, affording them legal protections, rights, and benefits that are not extended to Palestinians living in the same territory who are subjected to Israeli military law.
Israel provides settlers with infrastructure, services, and subsidies that it denies to Palestinians, creating and sustaining a separate and unequal system of law, rules, and services.”
The world has become more aware of heinous acts of violence levied against people who are forced to live in “an open air prison,” in Gaza.
The injustices faced by Palestinians in the West Bank from Israeli settlers are also being widely publicized.
The culmination of more the 75 years of oppression are on display for the world to see. Israeli war tactics include bombing of structures in Gaza and killings thousands of innocent citizens.
The demand that more than two million men, women and children involuntary relocate to allow military invasion by Israeli military troops is ridiculous.
Denying electricity, food, supplies, fuel, water and closing borders which allow them to escape have been denounced as inhumane and been compared to acts of genocide.
These actions by Israeli military in retailiation of Humas’ attack on Tel Aviv and kidnapping of hostages have unleashed anger, frustration and disbelief in other countries.
This is not just a Palestinian issue, it’s right for humanity. Jews, Christians, and Muslims are all fighting for equality, and peace in a land formerly occupied by the Palestinian people..
Today, a substantial portion of Palestine’s region is Israel.
The West Bank, which is situated between present-day Israel and Jordan, and the Gaza Strip, which borders both Israel and Egypt, are included in the area currently referred to as the Palestinian Territories, but since 1967, Israeli forces have occupied these regions.
And that’s just part of the conflict. The main issue between Israel and Palestine is the ownership of East Jerusalem and displacement of rightful, original owners.
The capital of the Palestinian state is to be East Jerusalem, which has place of worship for Jews, Muslims, and Christians.
Jerusalem, according to Israel, should continue to be its “indivisible and eternal” capital. However, international recognition of Israel’s claim to the eastern portion of Jerusalem is unclear.
In 2017, former U.S. President Donald Trump transferred the American embassy to Jerusalem after recognizing it as Israel’s capital, however he did not clarify how much of the contested city fell under Israeli authority. According to numerous polls, the majority of people in the U.S. however, have reacted to this decision with unease or direct condemnation.
For the past 75 years, Israel has been trying to overtake all Palestine’s land as theirs, and guess what? It still hasn’t happened.
“A land you have to KILL FOR is not yours, however, a land you have to DIE FOR is!”
In the Holy Quran, Allah the Almighty mentions His promise which He made regarding the Promised Land, Palestine.
He said, “And already have written in the Book [of David], after the exhortation, that My righteous servants shall inherit the land.” (Surahal-Anbiya, Ch.21: V.106)
This conflict may seem like a never-ending problem, but may Palestinians have faith and believe that Palestine will some day be free.
Thank you for this story. We needed this history. I’m a staunch believer in all thy getting, get an understanding.