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Gregory Lyakhov
A Student Covering Politics And Policy

Is Israel a Colonial State?

Source: https://www.flickr.com/people/24264756@N00
Protesters march for Palestine, accusing Israel of Colonialism.

What does it mean to call a nation “colonial”? Is it fair to use such a charged label for Israel, a country rooted in millennia of history, persecution, and resilience? Critics often accuse Israel of being a colonial state. Still, such claims ignore the unique and complex history of the Jewish people and their undeniable connection to the land of Israel.

Colonialism is typically defined as a foreign power invading and dominating another territory for economic gain or political control. The examples are well-known: Britain’s rule over India, Spain’s conquest of Latin America, and Belgium’s exploitation of the Congo. These scenarios involve an outside force subjugating native populations, exploiting resources, and often erasing local cultures. When one examines Israel’s story through this lens, the comparison crumbles under the weight of historical facts.

The Jewish people are indigenous to the land of Israel. Archaeological evidence and historical records trace Jewish civilization in the region back over 3,000 years. Cities like Jerusalem, Hebron, and Jericho are central to Jewish religious tradition and historical accounts of Jewish governance, trade, and culture. The Hebrew Bible, historical artifacts, and ancient writings from other civilizations confirm this deep-rooted connection. To call the Jewish people “foreign” to Israel is to erase this millennia-long bond.

The return of Jews to Israel during the 19th and 20th centuries was not an act of colonization but a movement of people reclaiming their ancestral homeland. The Zionist movement was born out of necessity, not greed. For centuries, Jews were exiled, scattered, and subjected to relentless persecution. Pogroms in Eastern Europe, expulsions from Western Europe, and systemic discrimination in the Middle East left millions of Jews stateless and vulnerable. The Holocaust, which annihilated six million Jews, was a horrific reminder of the dangers of living without a haven. Zionism was a response to survival, not conquest.

Israel’s establishment was neither the result of imperial conquest nor unilateral aggression. The United Nations approved the creation of Israel in 1947, legitimizing the Jewish right to statehood under international law. The land designated for Israel was a combination of legally purchased areas and territory the UN partition plan allocated. Unlike colonial empires that seized land by force, Israel was founded through legal frameworks and global recognition. The Jewish return to Israel was not a march of conquerors but the homecoming of refugees, survivors, and exiles.

Those who label Israel as colonial also overlook its diverse population. Unlike colonial powers, which often imposed their culture on others, Israel is a melting pot of Jewish communities from across the globe. Nearly half of Israel’s Jewish population descends from refugees expelled from Arab and African countries. These Jews fled places like Iraq, Yemen, Egypt, and Libya, where anti-Semitic violence and political upheaval made their lives unbearable. These communities found refuge in Israel alongside Jews from Europe, Russia, and Ethiopia. This mosaic of identities starkly contrasts with the uniformity and exploitation associated with colonial regimes.

Moreover, colonialism implies the domination of an indigenous population by outsiders. However, the relationship between Jews and Arabs in the region is not one of colonizers and colonized. It is a profoundly complex conflict between two groups with historical claims to the same land. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is tragic and fraught, but it does not fit the simplistic narrative of colonialism. Acknowledging this complexity is crucial for any meaningful discussion or resolution.

To label Israel as a colonial state is not only inaccurate but also dismissive of the historical struggles and persecution endured by the Jewish people. Such claims erase the Jewish connection to the land and delegitimize their right to self-determination. For thousands of years, Jews dreamed of returning to Zion. That dream was not one of conquest but of survival, identity, and homecoming.

The story of Israel is one of resilience in the face of unimaginable suffering, of revival against all odds, and of the unbreakable bond between a people and their homeland. To understand Israel’s history is to recognize that its creation was not an act of colonialism but a testament to the enduring spirit of a people who refused to be erased.

About the Author
Gregory Lyakhov is one of the youngest advocates for Israel, still only in high school. His work has been featured in The New York Post, The Jerusalem Post, The Algemeiner, and The Times of Israel. He has also made appearances on Fox & Friends and Newsmax.
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