| Topic: | Re:Fleur Anderson abstained on Gaza ceasefire vote | |
| Posted by: | Steven Rose | |
| Date/Time: | 26/11/23 17:06:00 |
| There was also a UN resolution passed on 29 November 1947, supported among others by the USA, the Soviet Union and France (the UK abstained), which agreed to the creation of a Jewish homeland in Palestine as well as a Palestinian state, while Jerusalem was to become an international city. This plan was bitterly opposed by the Palestinians and by the neighbouring Arab states, who attacked Israel the day after its declaration of Independence in 1948. There was injustice on both sides. Around 700 000 Arabs felt compelled to leave the Jewish State during the conflict and were not permitted to return once the armistice was signed. They were not absorbed by the surrounding Arab countries but were kept in refugee camps. Over the next ten years around 800 000 Jews felt compelled to leave Arab countries. They were absorbed by Israel and their descendants now constitute over half of the Jewish population. About 150 000 Arabs remained in the State of Israel in 1948 and their descendants together with those who came to Israel from the West Bank presently constitute 20% of the population. Since 1966 Arab Israelis have enjoyed full civil rights. There is still discrimination against the Arab population but the situation is improving. Christian Arabs, for example, who constitute 10% of the Arab population, have the highest rates of educational attainment among all ethnic groups, including the Jews. It is worth noting that on October 7 Hamas killed 10 Israeli Arabs and took 5 hostage. I mention some of these details in order to correct the misleading (and antisemitic) trope that Israel is largely populated by American Jews with dual nationality who have colonised Arab lands. |