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 An international problem
Everyone knows about the dispute over the area of land at the eastern end of the Mediterranean that today is called Israel . This is a problem that affects the whole of the Middle East. In fact, the problem affects the whole world and is probably the most serious international problem at the present time, with the potential to cause world war.
An old problem
This is not a new problem - this land has been argued and fought over for the best part of 4,000 years, if not longer. History shows that a succession of peoples have occupied the land that is now called Israel . A great many of these powers ruled from other countries, such as Egypt, the Hittites, Babylon, Persia, and Greece. The Jews held it independently for 1,000 years and there has been a Jewish population there for much longer than that.
Nations like the Romans have also conquered the land. Israel subsequently became Christian for 300 years. Then, Arabs took control until a thousand years ago when the Crusades began, which lasted for 200 years. Britain was involved at that time, with intervals of conquest by Mamelukes and Ottoman Turks. So, over the centuries, many countries have been involved in this same piece of land now called Israel.
A complex problem
It is clear that many nations and peoples have been involved in the land of Israel over the centuries. This means that many claims to the land could be put forward - but who is to decide how far back to go? Sometimes, this can get very far fetched indeed - some people even claim to be the descendants of the Canaanites in an attempt to predate the Jews! The Canaanites were a collection of primitive city-states that occupied Canaan and passed off the scene some 3,500 years ago.
This prompts the obvious question - how many countries are inhabited by their original peoples? England certainly isn't. The original inhabitants of England are in a minority now, as are the original Indian tribes in North America. Anyway, what do we mean by ‘original peoples’ in this context? Who really knows? The point is that, if you start trying to change the status quo, you run into all kinds of problems and inconsistencies.
The next point is that, because there has been so much outside meddling in the land of Israel, the country has been self-governed for only 1,000 years - by the Jewish nations of long ago and today. Only the Jews have been self-governing in the land for a sustained period of time. That may come as a surprise. Another factor is that some believe race to be of lesser importance than religion. There are three religions, each with a claim to the land. In order of introduction, the Jewish faith came first, with Christianity developing out of it. Lastly, Islam was introduced from Arabia .
The other point is that the Jews have now transformed a neglected land into something quite remarkable. They have greatly improved the conditions under which people live and this includes Arabs living in the State of Israel. One example of this is the number of infant deaths. Israel 's occupation of Gaza and the West Bank reduced infant deaths to a fifth of what they were under Arab rule.
The problem can be looked at from two perspectives:
- firstly, by examining the religious viewpoint contained in the Bible
- secondly, by reviewing recent history and current events.
If you are an orthodox Jew, your religion is Judaism and your authority is the Old Testament. If you are a practising Christian, the basis of your religious belief is the whole of the Bible (Old and New Testaments) - so there is a certain affinity here. If you are a Muslim, your basis is the Koran.
More information
What the Bible says about the land of Israel
The current situation in the Middle East
Anti-Semitism
The only real solution
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