Jewishness of Israel is 3000 Years Older Than Zionism

Submitted by Jerome R Verlin (United States), Nov 30, 2007 at 10:25

Dr Pipes rightly concludes this article with "Arab recognition of Israel's Jewish nature must have top diplomatic priority."

He then adds "Until the Palestinians formally accept Zionism . . . [and take other mentioned steps], there is nothing to talk about." Indeed, but "Israel's Jewish nature" runs 3000 years deeper than modern Zionism. It is the Jewish people's continuous Homeland presence in The Land of Israel, including after Judaea's final fall by the heroically tenacious Yishuv, that "the Palestinians" and indeed the world, including we Jews, must accept.

The British historian Parkes put it this way in Whose Land? (p. 266), that the "heroic endurance of those who had maintained a Jewish presence in The Land all through the centuries, and in spite of every discouragement" wrote the Zionists' "real title deeds."

Demanding anything less dishonors the memory and meaning of the 3000 year present, 3000 year Homeland claiming Yishuv.

Note: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the authors alone and not necessarily those of Daniel Pipes. Original writing only, please. Comments are screened and in some cases edited before posting. Reasoned disagreement is welcome but not comments that are scurrilous, off-topic, commercial, disparaging religions, or otherwise inappropriate. For complete regulations, see the "Guidelines for Reader Comments".