Confronting False Narratives Against Israel

Preface: A Thread of Dehumanization

The dehumanization of Jews is a recurring theme throughout history. From slavery in Egypt to the Holocaust, this narrative has resurfaced in different forms, targeting the Jewish people with lies and distortion. Today, this pattern continues with attempts to delegitimize the Jewish connection to the land of Israel and demonize Jews.

This week’s Parsha recounts the burial of Jacob in Hebron, a profound moment in our history that affirms our deep and eternal connection to the land of Israel. In this blog, I will explore the ancient roots of our claim to the land and the modern struggle against false accusations and biases aimed at Israel.

The Eternal Connection: Jacob in Hebron

The burial of Jacob in Hebron, as described in this week’s Parashah, serves as a cornerstone of Jewish history. It stands as one of the earliest affirmations of our deep and enduring connection to the land. Hebron, the burial site of our patriarchs and matriarchs, holds profound spiritual significance for the Jewish people.

Here is a picture of Hebron from 1853 (source – social media). At that time, it was little more than a village—far from the thriving city we see today. When Jews began returning to the land of Israel in the late 19th century, much of the territory was barren or underdeveloped. Yet, driven by historical and spiritual ties, they worked tirelessly to transform swamps and arid landscapes into productive farmland and flourishing communities.

Despite this, modern narratives often attempt to erase or distort our history. They frame the Jewish return as a colonialist enterprise, ignoring the documented historical, spiritual, and legal connections of the Jewish people to the land. Jacob’s burial in Hebron remains a timeless reminder of our roots and a powerful rebuttal to these false claims.

It is worth recalling The Hebron Massacre of 1929 which occurred on August 24th, when Arab neighbours killed 67 Jews, Scores of others were raped, seriously wounded, Jewish homes were pillaged, and synagogues ransacked. This tragedy was fuelled by false rumours that Jews intended to seize control of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Times, it seems, have not changed. Hebron become Judenrein.

Today, Hebron is home to approximately 200,000 Palestinians. The old Jewish quarter, once vibrant, now resembles a war zone—shops are barricaded, streets tense, and the scars of division starkly visible.

My family and I share a deep connection to Hebron. We often joined monthly trips led by the late Ilan Hirschfeld, a passionate advocate for Hebron. Through these tours, we came to know the area. For me, Hebron represents both the fragility and potential of coexistence.

If we truly aspire to peace, Hebron could serve as a model. Imagine the old Jewish quarter revitalized, with shops open and people—Jews and Palestinians alike—living and working side by side. A sense of safety and social stability could emerge, fostering hope for a better future.

Reflecting on Hebron isn’t just about revisiting the past—it’s about shaping the future. History has shown us massacres, hatred, and division before. The question is, how do we move forward? What does the day after this war look like?

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pG9l-eKJJs

Colonialism or Return to Ancient Homeland?

The return of Jews to the land of Israel in the late 19th century is often framed through two opposing narratives. One portrays it as a colonialist enterprise, a term deeply rooted in the European imperialist context of the time. The other, far more accurate narrative is that of a people returning to their ancestral homeland after centuries of displacement.

By the 1880s, Jews, inspired by movements like Zionism, began to return to the land of their forefathers, motivated not by imperial conquest but by a deep historical and spiritual connection. While the land was inhabited by small local populations (tribes, a few small villages), much of it was neglected, with significant portions being swampland or barren terrain. The returning Jews brought knowledge, resilience, and extraordinary determination, transforming these areas into productive farmland and creating thriving communities. This in turn led to Arab Immigration seeking economic prosperity.

Legal Rights: A Mandate Ignored

The Jewish return to the land was not only a historical and spiritual endeavour but also a legal one. Jews purchased land, often at exorbitant prices, and developed it against significant odds. The Balfour Declaration of 1917 explicitly recognized the right of the Jewish people to establish a national home in Palestine.

However, under Winston Churchill’s direction, these legal rights were undermined when Britain decided to carve out Transjordan from the eastern portion of the Mandate territory. This move excluded the area from provisions supporting the Jewish national home, effectively reducing the land allocated for this purpose by 75%. The decision was seen as a betrayal of the Mandate’s intent, driven by Britain’s imperial strategy to appease Arab leaders and secure its interests in the region.

The League of Nations in 1922 Mandate acknowledged the historical connection of the Jewish people to the land and provided the legal framework for their reconstitution as a nation in their ancestral homeland.

Despite the challenges, the Jewish community persevered, embracing a two-state solution when proposed by the United Nations in 1947. However, Arab leaders rejected the plan outright, resorting to violence and refusing to recognize the legitimacy of a Jewish state. This pattern of rejectionism continued in the decades that followed.

Today claims that Israel is a colonial or illegal enterprise disregard these historical and legal realities. Such narratives ignore the Jewish people’s internationally recognized rights to the land and the legal framework established by the League of Nations. Instead, they perpetuate falsehoods designed to delegitimize Israel’s existence, obscuring the truth about its foundation as a nation rooted in history, law, and resilience.

Historical Rights: A Heritage Denied – The Battle for Jerusalem

For centuries, Jews have prayed facing Jerusalem, yearning for their return. Yet, during Ottoman and later British rule, Jewish rights to access and pray at their sacred sites were restricted, often to placate local Arab populations. These limitations continue today, as rhetoric denying the Jewish historical claim to the land and its sacred sites grows louder. This rejection of Jewish heritage perpetuates a narrative that undermines their rightful connection to Jerusalem.

Saudi Arabia’s recent condemnation highlights this bias:

“Saudi Arabia strongly condemns Israeli settlers for storming Al-Aqsa Mosque courtyards. The ministry reiterated its denunciation of the continued blatant violations of international law and the repeated brutal attacks on the sanctity of Al-Aqsa Mosque.” (Source: Saudi Gazette)

In the global discourse, Al-Aqsa has become a powerful symbol of Palestinian identity and sovereignty, often weaponized against Israel. Yet this perspective overlooks key historical and religious truths.

The reality on the ground is shifting, as Jewish religious life continues to reclaim its space. A recent example is the Birkat HaCohanim—the priestly blessing—which was recited aloud on the Temple Mount, or Har HaBayit, during Hanukkah. This event marks a significant moment in the revival of Jewish religious freedom:

The stark contrast in how Jerusalem’s significance is treated in religious texts further underscores the Jewish historical claim. While Jerusalem is mentioned over 600 times in the Hebrew Bible, it is not mentioned explicitly by name in the Qur’an. Yet, international narratives consistently deny this heritage.

The current status quo is not only a distortion of history but also a travesty of religious freedom. As Jews worldwide continue to reconnect with their ancient heritage, the revival of their rights and freedoms must be recognized and upheld. Jerusalem is not only a city of the past but also a living symbol of faith, i

Let’s have a look at Shiloach: Reviving Jewish Heritage in the Heart of Jerusalem

Reclaiming Jewish ownership and heritage in the Shiloach neighbourhood is of profound significance for several reasons, touching on the history, identity, and future of the Jewish people in Jerusalem. This effort is about more than physical restoration; it is about justice, continuity, and the preservation of a legacy that has defined the Jewish connection to Jerusalem for over 3,000 years.

Preservation of Jewish History

The Shiloach, or Silwan, is at the heart of biblical Jerusalem, known as the City of David. It is here that King David established his kingdom, the First Temple stood, and prophets walked. The neighbourhood is a living testament to the deep and unbroken Jewish connection to the land. Reclaiming Jewish ownership ensures that this history is preserved and that Jerusalem remains a place where the Jewish story can be told and experienced.

Within the City of David lie extraordinary archaeological discoveries:

• The Pool of Siloam was used by pilgrims for ritual purification.
• Hezekiah’s Tunnel, an ancient waterway that safeguarded Jerusalem’s water supply.
• The Pilgrimage Road connects the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount, where Jews ascended during biblical festivals.

These landmarks not only affirm the Jewish connection to Jerusalem but also inspire awe and reverence for the resilience and ingenuity of our ancestors.

Reversing Historical Injustices

In the late 19th century, Yemenite Jews built a thriving community in the Shiloach, centred around the synagogue Ohel Shlomo. However, during the Arab riots of the 1920s and 1930s, they were violently uprooted, and their homes were seized. For decades, the Jewish presence in the area was erased. Reclaiming this neighbourhood is an act of justice—restoring what was forcibly taken and honouring the sacrifices of those who lived there before.

Strengthening Jewish Sovereignty in Jerusalem

Jerusalem is the undivided capital of the Jewish people and the State of Israel. The Shiloach’s proximity to the Old City and Temple Mount makes it a critical neighborhood in securing the city’s integrity. A robust Jewish presence here strengthens Jerusalem as a united city, countering efforts to divide it or diminish its Jewish character

Upholding the Prophetic Vision of Return

The return of Jewish families to the Shiloach fulfils the age-old dream and biblical prophecy of the Jewish people returning to their ancestral homeland. Renewing the Jewish presence here sends a powerful message of resilience in the face of hostility and affirms the Jewish people’s right to live in their historic homeland without fear or intimidation.

A Beacon of Coexistence and Peace

While the primary goal is to reclaim Jewish heritage, the Jewish return to the Shiloach holds the potential to foster coexistence. Historically, Jews and Arabs lived side by side in this neighbourhood, and a renewed Jewish presence can contribute to a vision of mutual respect and shared prosperity in Jerusalem.

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VaE22kIEf54

Looking to the Future

By reclaiming Jewish ownership and heritage in the Shiloach and Hebron, the Jewish people honour their ancestors, secure their present, and build a future rooted in faith, resilience, and a deep connection to the land of Israel. These efforts are not just about stones and buildings; they are about preserving the soul of the Jewish people and their undeniable bond to their ancestral homeland.

Shiloach and Hebron are more than neighbourhoods; they are the heart of Jewish heritage and identity. The Shiloach, with its deep ties to King David and the City of David, and Hebron, home to the Tomb of the Patriarchs and Matriarchs, are living connections to our ancient roots. Both places symbolize resilience, justice, and the enduring relationship between the Jewish people and their sacred sites.

The Jewish connection to the land of Israel is deeply rooted in history, archaeology, and religious texts. Jerusalem and sites such as the Temple Mount have been central to Jewish identity for millennia. Despite these undeniable ties, modern narratives increasingly seek to delegitimize this connection, perpetuating historical distortions that fuel bias against Israel and the Jewish people.