For over 70 years, there has been ongoing conflict over what has often been referred to as “the Holy Land.” Following World War II and the Holocaust when millions of Jews were killed as part of Hitter’s Final Solution, the United Nations proposed creation of a Jewish state on the land of the ancient kingdoms of Israel and Judea. However, there was a problem. The land was already occupied by a people group known as Palestinians. The original UN proposal included the creation of a second Palestinian state, but it was rejected by both sides. Over time, the Israeli government has expanded into traditional Palestinian land. In the 6-Day War in 1967, Israel took control of the West Bank–an occupation that continues to this day. The Palestinians have been systematically removed from their homes and sent to separate areas and have been replaced with Jewish settlers. Many Palestinians have been sent to Gaza, a small strip of land along the Mediterranean coast. Observers call this the Israeli apartheid.
Palestinians have resisted the resettlement and have fought back. Israeli forces, supplied with weapons from the US, have bombarded Gaza in response–most recently in May, 2021, destroying homes, killing hundreds of Palestinians, and creating a humanitarian nightmare. To understand more about the history of this “unholy war” for the “holy land” and the continuing impact, watch the following video that was produced by Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization committed to protecting Palestinian human rights.
To learn more about Gaza and efforts to promote peace, go to American Friends Service Committee, an international Quaker organization that is working for justice in Gaza.
Tongue on Fire 