The Truth About Israel

Pro-Palestine and Anti-Colonial activists have long manipulated history to serve their political agendas, particularly regarding the complex narrative surrounding Israel and Palestine. These activists often paint Israel as a European colonialist endeavor, conveniently ignoring the clear historical roots of the Jewish people in the region. Such distortions are not just misleading—they’re a gross misrepresentation of historical facts.

Let’s start with the basics: Jewish tribes settled in the land of Canaan around 1200 BCE. This was long before the rise of the Ottoman Empire or any British influence that would later shape the modern geopolitical landscape. The Jewish presence in this region has been continuous for over 3,000 years, sustained by a shared culture, language, and faith. To reduce Israel to a mere creation of European Zionists in the 20th century is to erase thousands of years of history that predates modern nation-states.

The Arab presence in what is now known as Palestine didn’t become prominent until after the 7th century, following the Islamic conquests. Before this, the region was a mosaic of peoples, including Jews, Christians, and various pagan tribes. The idea of an exclusively Arab Palestine is a modern invention, largely shaped by contemporary political motivations rather than historical realities.

This brings us to the Balfour Declaration of 1917, often mischaracterized as a colonialist maneuver by the British Empire. In truth, the Balfour Declaration was a recognition of the Jewish people’s historical connection to the land, not the imposition of a foreign entity on native populations. It was a diplomatic acknowledgment that culminated in the founding of Israel in 1948.

Respecting history means acknowledging these facts, not rewriting them to fit a particular narrative. Israel’s legitimacy is not the product of 20th-century colonialism but the re-establishment of a historical homeland. The notion of Israel as an artificial creation imposed on an Arab Palestine is a myth—and a dangerous one at that.

This isn’t to say that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is without complexity or that there aren’t legitimate grievances on both sides. The pursuit of a two-state solution remains imperative for long-term peace. However, it’s crucial to understand that Israel’s right to exist and defend itself is non-negotiable. This is not merely about political boundaries; it’s about the recognition of a historical truth.

Modern political narratives, fueled by Middle Eastern oil wealth, anti-Western beliefs, anti-Christian agendas, and deep-seated anti-Jewish sentiment, are part of the problem. Israel’s legitimacy is not up for debate. The efforts to erase this history are fundamentally flawed. History must be respected, not rewritten.