Did the Palistinians cause the rise of Israel?

[Pete]

Did the Palistinians cause the rise of Israel?

Did the massacre at Hevron (Hebron) in 1929 really lead to the formation of the Haganah which lead to a better organized and trained "Jewish Militia" in 1948.

So, in a way, the state of the Muslims in the area is/was caused by them?

[Dusty]

WTF is a "Palestinian" anyway? Where's "Palestine"? What does "Palestinian" mean, anyway-"parasite"?

(rhetorical)

[brown77]

Originally Posted by Pete

Did the Palistinians cause the rise of Israel?

Did the massacre at Hevron (Hebron) in 1929 really lead to the formation of the Haganah which lead to a better organized and trained "Jewish Militia" in 1948.

So, in a way, the state of the Muslims in the area is/was caused by them?

This woman could probably provide some insight:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T64JI...layer_embedded

[olhamada]

For the sake of some level of street cred - though I am not a historian, I do try to keep up with ME history and am of Lebanese parentage with several friends/relatives who have served in the government in various capacities (and two of which have been assassinated by the Syrians - PGF and cousin).

I am Christian, but I am of Druze linage (the only Arabs to hold full civil rights in Israel and the only non-Jews to play a major part in the Israeli military). Of interest, the only non-Jew to hold the office of the Presidency of Israel was Druze (late '90s or early 2000s).

That said - I would say no to "the rise" of Israel, but probably yes to a better organized militia in 1948. The formation of the State of Israel was not a local occurrence, but was started well before the massacre which you reference. The movement for a Jewish homeland was actually begun in Europe during WWI. Unfortunately ME (and human) history is filled with massacres of Christians, Muslims, Druze, Jews, (Indians, Hindus, Armenians, Russians, Cambodians......).....so I don't think this one massacre was the nidus for the movement for statehood. Remember the Balfour Declaration in 1917?

In addition, Jews and Arabs have long lived in peace among one another. The opinion that the opposite is true is promulgated purely for political purposes. Even today in downtown Beirut there exists a beautiful and large synagogue which just underwent a major renovation. Jews lived for centuries with their Arab brothers in peace in Iraq, Yemen, Jordan, etc... and many still do.

The recent unrest (relatively speaking - since the '70s) has multiple factors driving it including the extremist Islamic interest in exterminating Israel and the US with resulting world domination as their focus. However, we cannot discount the significant hardship of the Palestinians and the continued human rights issues inflaming the sentiments of the moderates.

Will there ever be peace? No.

(Just my opinion, FWIW)

[Pete]

Originally Posted by olhamada

.......That said - I would say no to "the rise" of Israel, but probably yes to a better organized militia in 1948. The formation of the State of Israel was not a local occurrence, but was started well before the massacre which you reference. ....................

What if Israel lost in 1948? Would there be an Israel today if they had lost the war in 48? Would the world have stepped in with Military force to push the Arab Armies out or would the world opinion have been "Oh, well, we tried."?

With "peace" in the region would the Jews have had a "semi organized militia" to turn into fighting units leading up to the 1st War.

The Jews were quite busy in Palistine between 29 and 48. Conducting a somewhat successful terrorist campaign against the Brits in the later years, organizing defense forces, world wide propaganda campaign, smuggling wepons and people.

Or would just the occupation of the Brits have been enough? I don't think so.

[olhamada]

Great points, Pete. I agree.