Resolutions introduced in both the US Senate and House of Representatives this week very belatedly recognizing that there was once a Jewish refugee crisis in the Middle East are both promising and dangerous.
But it is dangerous that Congress wants to tie that to recognition of the “rights of Palestinian refugees.”
There are some glaring differences between the two cases:
The so-called “Palestinians” who were displaced during Israel’s War of Independence for the most part did not move more than 20 miles, and still found themselves surrounded by people sharing the same ethnicity, language, culture and religion. To call them “refugees” is somewhat disingenuous, to say the least.
The majority of displaced “Palestinians” became displaced because their own leaders ordered them to get out of the way so the Jews could be more easily finished off. Again, not “refugees,” but rather members of the Arab “Ummah” who unfortunately found themselves having to start over when their leaders and armies failed to defeat Israel.
The Jews, on the other hand, were the defenseless minority in their host nations, and were stripped of their possessions, persecuted and thrown out by their Arab overlords, necessitating in many cases a long and arduous journey to the only place they would be safe - the State of Israel. Once there, they did share a religion with those around them, but they had to adapt to a new culture and learn a new language in order to survive. The very definition of refugees.
These are all things that need to be taken into consideration, but perhaps the most glaring difference between the Jewish refugees from Arab state and the “Palestinian refugees” is that the Jewish refugees were promptly resettled. And not only that, they were promptly resettled by a nascent state that didn’t really have the means to resettle them.
The “Palestinians,” meanwhile, have been forced to remain “refugees” by their Arab brothers for 50+ years! Additionally, their children have been labeled as refugees too!
There is no precedent for this, no other refugee situation that was ever dealt with by perpetuating the refugee status of the displaced and actually transferring it to their children and grandchildren.
The only explanation can be that the “Palestinian” refugee issue is not really a refugee issue at all, but a cynical diplomatic ploy to demonize the Jewish state and force it to allow its borders to be flooded with Arab Muslims.
This is what Congress needs to recognize in its resolutions.
The Jews long ago dealt with their own refugee problem. Now it’s time for the Arabs to do the same - or admit that there never was one to begin with.
Congress’ current course of action is only going to further legitimize the myth of the “Palestinian refugee.”
Enjoy the article? Subscribe to our email updates
9 comments so far ↓
1 Marcel // Feb 22, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Congress’ current course of action is only going to further legitimize the myth of the “Palestinian refugee.”
Did you expect anything else from a group of empty suits who cound not even get the U.S. Embassy moved from Tel Aviv to Israel’s capitol Jerusalem even after it was voted into law by them in 1995?
Do you really think anythiong good for Israel will come out of congress except hot air and empty words.
America’s betrayal against Israel has grown ,shrowded in nice and phony polemics which are only meant to decieve the easily decieved sheeple.
Congress will only give Israel more of the same she has given since Oslo 1993 ,nothing useful ,only worthless,empty words and more inaction.
It’s the nature of the beast.
2 Israpundit » Blog Archive » Congress needs to rethink take on Middle East refugees // Feb 22, 2007 at 8:46 pm
[…] Ryan Jones, Zionist.com Resolutions introduced in both the US Senate and House of Representatives this week very belatedly recognizing that there was once a Jewish refugee crisis in the Middle East are both promising and dangerous. […]
3 Victor Passenheim // Feb 22, 2007 at 9:39 pm
Good article, Ryan. Thanks!
4 Charles Wesley // Feb 23, 2007 at 3:02 am
The workings of God are everywhere . The Jews expelled from the Arab countries will not be there when the Lord Jesus Christ sends fire on those that come against Israel . It is funny that the Islamist seek to destroy Israel and in the process will signal the time of their own destruction . I feel that every time we hear the worlds efforts to discredit Israel and Christianity that we are a little closer to the Great Tribulation and the return of Jesus . Ifind the whole thing amazing that everyone does not see the prophesy unfolding . Even some of the Arabs see it coming . Soon faith will turn into reality . Amazing !
5 David Ben-Ariel // Feb 23, 2007 at 5:38 am
President Bush has helped to create more Jewish refugees by aiding and abetting General Sharon’s Judenrein policy against the Jews of Gush Katif/Gaza, rewarding terrorism and proving his claim of being a Christian is as illegitimate as “Palestine.”
6 Joyce // Feb 23, 2007 at 2:22 pm
This is just another example, of the US trying to play both sides of the field again. And it is wrong for us to do so. It is also wrong for US to give the same credence to the Palestinian issue, as they do to Israel’s displacement issue. If the US is going to acknowledge the Palestinian’s issues every time they acknowledge Israel’s issues, then to me that negates any so-called support that the US is giving to Israel. And I believe, that God will also feel the same way about it. We can’t do that and expect God to bless us for it. And I believe, that if we keep up this nonsense, that God will again show the US his displeasure for our actions.
7 Marcel // Feb 23, 2007 at 2:39 pm
It is no surprise to many of us who know what is going on.
Shortly after Condi Rice leaves Israel ,the orders are sent out by the stooge puppet minister Olmert..
Olmert quickly talked about his dream of a Palestinian state.
Peretz immediately pushes for the ethnic cleansing of Jews from the West Bank Outposts and today,
Olmert sends out the order to ease security inspections for arabs.
figure out yet where the orders are coming from ?
Some of us know who rules over the vassal state of Israel.
Ease security inspeactions at airports,Olmert orders
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3368739,00.html
Peretz ,next step;outpost evacuation
http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3368632,00.html
Olmert talked about his dream of a Palestinian state immediatly after Rice left Jerusalem.
Did anyone catch this ?
Can anybody see the speedy religious devotion and obedience Israel’s leaders have to their lord.
It’s been the same thing every time there is a high level visit to Israel from the U.S.
Israel is pressured to act while the Palestinian terrorist groups are not presured whatsoever.
Those of you who do not hear what is spoken in secret ,you can see it’s effects after the mistress of the master leaves
8 Ruud Orlagh // Sep 20, 2007 at 3:54 am
you had me suicidal, suicida. Ruud Orlagh.
9 Gautam Asaf // Oct 22, 2007 at 2:44 am
they only wanna do you dir. Gautam Asaf.
Leave a Comment