Who do you think has the best claim to Palestine – Israelis or Palestinians?

Question

Who do you think has the best claim to Palestine – Israelis or Palestinians?

Answer 1

Ironically and unfortunately, both sides have valid historical claims.  The Palestinian historical claim relies on their having lived on the land for countless years.  The Israeli claim relies on the facts that (1) most of the cities have had Jewish majorities since 1900, (2) the majority of Israel's Jewish population is descended from Jews in Arab lands who were expelled, (3) Jews have done the work to turn a backwards area into a world-class center of engineering, biotech, pharmaceutical, and telephonic excellence.  So, since both sides have valid claims, both sides should work together towards peace.

Answer 2

After living for 17 years in the Middle East, I feel that the Palestinians have, by far, a superior claim to the land. To support this, allow me to analize the following arguments used (by both sides).

1. Religious.

While the fight is about land, no one can deny that religion is a part of it. Many Jews claim that they have a historical/biblical right to the land, as well as the city of Jeruselam. Ironicaly, only a slim percentage of professing Jews claim to be religious, and the majority of that percentage is made up of converts, and the majority of those don't even live in Palestine. The Palestinians, however, are practicing Mulims and Christians, with claims to such sights as the Dome of the Rock and Church of the Nativity (in addition to other Christian holy sights in Jeruselam such as the Holy Sepulcher). If the land were to be awarded on a religious basis, then the Palestinians would win easily.

2. Ethnic.

Some would claim that the Israelies have a claim to the land due to their Semetism. This argument is seriously flawed. The vast majority of Israelies are immigrants who have been living in Europe for the past two millenia. Over time, intermarrige would've weakened the Semetic genes to the point where European Jews are, geneticaly, more European than Semetic. On the other hand, the Palestinians are completely Semetic.

3. Historical

The historical claim is a tie, at best. The Israelies, who are largely immigrants from Europe have as many ties to Europe as they do Palestine. The same is true about the Palestinians who have been living in the area for millenias. History isn't the best way to fairly decide who has a better claim.

4. Legal

Many claim that Israelies have a claim to Palestine because it was created for them by the British. Again, this is a flawed argument, since the Palestinians were never consulted. While it is true that some (and only some) Palestinians sold land to immigrating Jews, the majority of Palestinian land has been forcefuly seized by Israel (take Deir Yassin for example). Legally, Palestinians have a much stronger claim to Palestine.

5. Conquest

There are also some who claim that Israelies deserve Palestine by right of conquest, but if this were true, then one could effectively claim that the majority of Western Europe belongs to Germany, which conquered it in WWII. Additionaly, it could be claimed that China deserves Tibet, despite Tibet's insistence that they deserve independence. Let's face it- might does not make right, and on this basis, the land should go to Palestinians.

6. Technological/Agricultural

Some claim that before the Israelies came, Palestine was rugged, unused, and undeveloped, and that the Israelies, who did develop the land, deserve it more than the Palestinians, who lazily did nothing. This is again, a flawed argument. While it is true that Palestine was largely undeveloped, this was not the fault of the Palestinians. The Ottoman Turks, have forced a Feudal System on the Arabs, prevented them from ever having access to modern tools, or having the ability to work large peices of land. The British were more concerned with controlling Palestine than developing it and because of these factors, Palestinians simply could not develop their land. Since it logicaly follows that, if the Palestinians had a choice between developing their land or leaving it fallow, would've chosen to develop it, then it is the Palestinians, not the Israelies, who have a better claim.

7. Democratic

Perhaps the most often used argument is that Israel is the only Democracy in the Middle East. However, the definition of "Democracy" is a government by the majority of the people. Since the majority of people living in Palestine are Palestinians (outnumbering the Israelies nearly 10 to 1), it would seem that there would be a Palestinian government- not an Israeli one. By the very definition, Israel is not a Democracy, since the majority does not have a say in the government. Some would argue that Israel has welcomed Palestinians to become Israelies, but again, this argument is flawed. Israel is aware that due to the Palestinian perception of honor, Palestinians will generaly refuse to become Israelies. Israel's encouragement is purely for the sake of appearing Democratic. If the Palestinians actualy did all become Israelies, they could literaly vote the government away from the Jewish-Israeli minority.

Furthermore, Israel, despite its constant denials, orders actions and legislates laws that are highly Un-Democratic. Israel uses an angency called the Bet Shin as strikebreakers, torturers, and intimidators. It is also against Israelie law to own, use, or wear a Palestinain flag or any reproduction of a Palestinian flag.

In short, Israel is NOT a Democracy and so no one can use the argument that a Democratic state takes precedent over a people group who may or may not form a Demcratic state.

In conclusion, it is the Palestinians, not the Israelies, who have a better claim to Palestine.

Answer 3

Palestinians, no contest.

Answer 4

the Palestinians of course

Answer 5

more that 50% of israelis are immigrants or 1st generation. Palestinians have been there for a thousand years.  

That biblical claim holds no water. In that case let's give Manhattan back to the Indians.

Answer 6

After World War II, the British (the real invaders) tried desperately to maintain control of this strategically important territory,but ultimately ceded control of Palestine to the United Nations.

World opinion favored the establishment of a Jewish state  for the survivors from the Holocaust.

The United Nations passed a plan to partition Palestine into an Arab state and a Jewish state.

One day after the Jewish part was officially declared as Israel, it was invaded by the armies of Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Syria and Lebanon.

Every opportunity Palestinians were given to negotiate peace, went to waste.

Answer 7

The palestinians of course because it was their land the whole time. Israel hasnt even legally acquired half the land its just the U,S is on their side for some dumb reason. All the Israelis have just basically immigrated their from europe and russia and stuff and expected land to be giving to them by having more and more jews living there with the reason that they are mistreated everywhere they go. The zionists basically started every problem by trying to steal the land. The Jews also say Abraham gave them that land but take a look at the past with the crusades and all the wars and all the people thatve had the land especially christians or arabs that reason wasnt effective there was it. The jewish people were also offered good land someplace in Africa but rejected it because they kept their eyes on palestine. Of course palestinians are gonna reject the deal for making a jewish and arab state because its their land they dont have to give it to anyone.the only reason arabs have been fighting back for the land for this long is because they know its theirs and its been stolen for them. Basically the jewish came stole it and started mistreating the arabs of palestine even though its their land and their government doesnt allow them to come back to their homeland even though everyone should be allowed to go back to their homeland. Palestinians are getting massacred there trying to get their homeland and even though its theirs Israel is being greedy about even giving them part of their land back. If anyone looked really deeply into this you will understand why it is arab land. The book in the sources is really informative read it to know more.

I respect both sides arabs and jewish people but dont think the governments are being to fair.