That's because it's based on the premise that there is a "Palestinian people," history, land etc. which must be recognized and compensated for the existence of the Jewish State of Israel.
There never was a country called Palestine. The name was chosen by European diplomats to bring back to life the long gone Biblical enemies of the Jewish People, the Philistines who lived on the Mediterranean coast thousands of years ago.
If you take a good look at this map, you'll see that post-World War One, most of the Middle-east was divided into "mandated" areas under British and French administrations. Today's countries and borders are modern, Twentieth Century, not based on ancient history. That's one of the reasons the area is so volatile.
Only the Jewish State of Israel developed from national self-determination and has an ancient history which is directly connected to the modern one.
4 comments:
I don't agree with you. Jordan's population is at least 70% Palestinian. Fine, the Palestinians were never a real ''people'' an ethnic group with an identity other than ''Arab'' but, today, they exist, they self-identify as Palestinian. From our point of view, however, the question is why should we pay for their state when such a state already exists?
a, what "Jordan is" is between the more veteran residents and the Hashemites. But "Palestine" doesn't exist and never did.
Shalom!
Jordan, defined by its current borders, is a country carved out by the British and has no long-standing tradition in the Arab world. The name is derived from the Yarden, which is 100% Hebrew. Read here: http://www.campsci.com/iguide/yarden_river.htm
For the true meaning of Palestine read here: http://www.palestinefacts.org/pf_early_palestine_name_origin.php
Hadassa, thanks.
I think it extremely important not to legitamize the name Palestine at all.
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