A Very Brief but Highly Informative Overview of Jewish History

The history of the Jewish people spans thousands of years, marked by moments of profound cultural, religious, and social significance. This narrative weaves through ancient civilizations, exile, diaspora, and the eventual establishment of a modern nation-state. Central to this history is the enduring connection to the land of Israel, a region that has seen the rise and fall of empires, yet remains the heart of Jewish identity and faith.

Ancient Origins and Biblical Era

The story of the Jewish people begins in the ancient Near East. According to the Hebrew Bible, the patriarch Abraham, originally from Ur in Mesopotamia, entered into a covenant with God. This covenant established Abraham and his descendants as the chosen people, promising them the land of Canaan, later known as Israel. Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, fathered twelve sons who became the ancestors of the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Israelites' narrative continues with the Exodus from Egypt, led by Moses, a foundational event in Jewish history. This journey, chronicled in the Book of Exodus, saw the Israelites liberated from slavery, receiving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai, and eventually settling in the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership.

Monarchy and Temple Period

Around the 11th century BCE, the Israelites transitioned from a loose confederation of tribes to a united monarchy. King Saul was the first king, followed by David, who established Jerusalem as the political and religious center. David’s son Solomon built the First Temple, a central place of worship for the Jewish people.

The united monarchy eventually split into two kingdoms: Israel in the north and Judah in the south. This period was marked by internal strife and external threats, culminating in the Assyrian conquest of Israel in 722 BCE and the Babylonian exile of Judah in 586 BCE. The destruction of Solomon's Temple and the exile to Babylon were catastrophic events, leading to significant theological and cultural developments within Judaism.

The Flight of the Prisoners (1896) by James Tissot; the exile of the Jews from Canaan to Babylon

Exile and Return

The Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BCE allowed the Jewish exiles to return to Judah. Under the leadership of figures like Ezra and Nehemiah, the Second Temple was constructed, and Jewish life in the region was restored. This period, known as the Second Temple era, saw the development of important Jewish texts and traditions, including the canonization of the Hebrew Bible.

Hellenistic and Roman Rule

The conquests of Alexander the Great in the 4th century BCE introduced Hellenistic culture to the region. The subsequent rule of the Seleucid Empire led to tensions and conflicts, most including the Maccabean Revolt in the 2nd century BCE. This revolt resulted in the establishment of the Hasmonean dynasty and the rededication of the Temple, commemorated in the festival of Hanukkah.

Roman conquest in 63 BCE brought a new era of foreign domination. Herod the Great, a Roman client king, expanded the Second Temple, making it one of the most magnificent buildings of the ancient world. However, growing discontent with Roman rule led to the Jewish Revolt (66-73 CE), culminating in the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. This event marked a significant turning point, as the Jewish people were dispersed widely in the diaspora.

(The Romans changed the name “Judea” to Syria Palaestina" after the Bar Kokhba revolt (132-135 CE). The name change was a punitive measure against the Jewish population following the Bar Kokhba revolt. The revolt was a significant and violent rebellion against Roman rule, and the Romans sought to suppress Jewish nationalism and identity by erasing the name of Judea, the heartland of the Jewish people.)

The Jewish Diaspora

For nearly two millennia, the Jewish people lived in diverse communities around the world, maintaining their religious and cultural identity despite often facing persecution and marginalization. Jewish communities flourished in places such as Babylon, Persia, Spain, North Africa, and later in Europe and the Americas.

The Middle Ages saw significant achievements in Jewish thought, including the works of philosophers and scholars such as Maimonides. However, this period was also marked by episodes of anti-Semitic violence, such as the Crusades, the Spanish Inquisition, and expulsions from various European countries.

Modern Era and Zionism

The Enlightenment and the rise of nationalism in the 18th and 19th centuries brought new challenges and opportunities. The Jewish Enlightenment (Haskalah) encouraged integration into European society, while also fostering a renewed interest in Jewish culture and learning.

Amid growing anti-Semitism, the late 19th century saw the rise of Zionism, a movement advocating for the return of the Jewish people to their ancestral homeland and the establishment of a Jewish state. Theodor Herzl, a key figure in the Zionist movement, organized the First Zionist Congress in 1897, laying the groundwork for future Jewish immigration to Palestine.

Herzl became acutely aware of his Jewish identity while covering the trial of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish officer wrongfully accused of betraying France. He observed that Dreyfus, an assimilated Jew and a proud Frenchman, was still being treated as a traitor solely because of his Jewish heritage. The streets of sophisticated Paris echoed with cries of "death to the Jews." This moment was hauntingly prophetic, given the Holocaust that would unfold just a few decades later.

Confronted with this anomaly, Herzl came to the reluctant conclusion that Jews, observant of assimilated, needed their own nation to be safe from persecution.

What is Zionism? Zionism is the movement for Jewish self-determination, asserting the right of the Jewish people to live freely in their own homeland, without being subject to the authority or oppression of regimes that have often sought their destruction. At its core, Zionism represents the belief that a Jewish state is essential for the survival and security of the Jewish people. And if this ever in doubt, October 7 proved otherwise.

Despite its imperfections and challenges, Israel has made the Jewish dream of national self-determination a reality. This achievement requires no apology; it is a source of pride. And as Golda Meir famously said, “We Jews have a secret weapon in our struggle with the Arabs: We have no place else to go.”

The British Mandate and Partition

After World War I, the League of Nations granted Britain the mandate to govern Palestine, a period lasting from 1920 to 1948. The Balfour Declaration of 1917, issued by the British government, supported the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. This declaration created hope for Jews worldwide but also led to tensions with the Arab population.

In 1921, to manage the area more effectively and address the aspirations of different groups, the British decided to create two administrative units. The eastern part of the mandate, comprising approximately 78% of the territory, was designated as Transjordan (modern-day Jordan). This was formalized in 1922 when the League of Nations approved the British memorandum effectively separating Transjordan from Palestine and exempting it from the provisions intended to establish a Jewish national home west of the Jordan River. [1] 

The League of Nations formally recognized the historical connection of the Jewish people to Palestine in 1922, when it adopted the Mandate for Palestine. The Mandate was a legal instrument approved by the League, which entrusted Britain with the administration of Palestine. It included a preamble stating that the League was in favor of "the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people" and explicitly acknowledged "the historical connection of the Jewish people with Palestine and to the grounds for reconstituting their national home in that country."

This recognition was rooted in the Balfour Declaration of 1917, a statement by the British government supporting the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people" in Palestine. The League of Nations' mandate incorporated this declaration, giving it international legitimacy and a legal framework, which shaped the future of the region and laid the groundwork for the eventual establishment of the State of Israel in 1948.

The British Mandate period was marked by significant Jewish immigration, land purchases, and the development of Jewish institutions. However, escalating conflict between Jewish and Arab communities, coupled with British administrative challenges, led to the proposal of partition plans. The most significant was the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan, which recommended the creation of separate Jewish and Arab states.

The Establishment of Israel

Early Attempts and the United Nations Partition Plan (1947)

The United Nations proposed a partition plan in 1947 to create separate Jewish and Arab states in Palestine. This plan was accepted by the Jewish leadership and was quickly recognized by the United States and the Soviet Union, among other countries, but rejected by the Arab states and the Palestinian leadership, who opposed the division of Palestine and the establishment of a Jewish state. The rejection led to the first Arab-Israeli war following Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948.

Despite the conflict, Israel emerged victorious and established itself as a sovereign state.

Refugees

During the mid-20th century, several significant refugee crises emerged, driven by political upheaval, wars, and the redrawing of national boundaries. One of the most dramatic was the Partition of India in 1947, leading to the creation of India and Pakistan. The division along religious lines triggered a mass migration, displacing an estimated 10-15 million people as Hindus and Sikhs fled to India and Muslims moved to Pakistan. This migration was marked by extreme violence, communal riots, massacres, and widespread suffering, resulting in hundreds of thousands of deaths. Similarly, the aftermath of World War II saw millions displaced across Europe, including the expulsion of ethnic Germans from Eastern Europe.

In the Middle East, the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, which followed the United Nations' plan to partition Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, triggered two significant refugee movements. The war erupted after the declaration of the State of Israel on May 14, 1948, which was immediately followed by an invasion from neighboring Arab countries aiming to prevent the establishment of the Jewish state. This conflict led to around 700,000 Palestinian Arabs fleeing or being expelled from their homes, creating a longstanding refugee issue. Simultaneously, Jewish communities in Arab lands, some of which had existed for centuries, faced increasing hostility and persecution, resulting in approximately 850,000 Jews being expelled or fleeing to Israel.

While the Jewish refugees were largely integrated into Israeli society, the Palestinian refugees have remained stateless, with their status perpetuated across generations. Unlike other refugee crises of the period, where displaced populations were eventually resettled, the Palestinian refugee issue persists due to a lack of resettlement and integration in Arab countries, the role of UNRWA in maintaining refugee status, and the political dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

A significant barrier to resolving the Palestinian refugee issue is the persistent demand for the "right of return" to homes in what is now Israel—a demand that Israel has consistently rejected, given the demographic and security implications. There is no realistic possibility that these refugees will ever be settled in Israel. As long as the idea of returning to Israel remains central to the Palestinian national narrative, the refugees are likely to remain in their current status. Until this notion is relinquished and alternative solutions are embraced, these refugees will continue to live in limbo, unable to fully integrate into other societies and remaining a persistent point of contention in the ongoing conflict.

Contemporary Israel

Since its establishment, Israel has faced numerous challenges and conflicts, including wars with neighboring Arab countries, ongoing disputes with the Palestinian people, and complex internal social and political issues. Despite these challenges, Israel has developed into a technologically advanced and economically prosperous nation.

Camp David Accords (1978)

The Camp David Accords, mediated by U.S. President Jimmy Carter, resulted in a peace treaty between Egypt and Israel. Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin signed the accords, leading to Egypt becoming the first Arab country to officially recognize Israel. The Palestinian leadership, however, rejected the accords, arguing that they did not adequately address the Palestinian issue and excluded Palestinian representation.

Oslo Accords (1993 and 1995)

The Oslo Accords were the first direct agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), facilitated by U.S. President Bill Clinton. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat signed the accords, which aimed to achieve a peace treaty based on United Nations Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338. Despite initial acceptance, the accords faced significant opposition from Palestinian factions like Hamas and eventually led to disillusionment on both sides due to ongoing violence and unmet expectations.

Israel-Jordan Peace Treaty (1994)

Following the Oslo Accords, Israel and Jordan signed a peace treaty, with King Hussein of Jordan and Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin normalizing relations. The treaty resolved territorial disputes and established cooperation on various issues, including security and water. The Palestinian leadership did not reject this treaty outright but remained concerned that it sidestepped the core issues of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Camp David Summit (2000)

In 2000, U.S. President Bill Clinton hosted Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat at Camp David to negotiate a final status settlement. The summit failed to produce an agreement, primarily due to disagreements over the status of Jerusalem, Palestinian refugees, and borders. Arafat rejected Barak’s proposals, which included significant concessions, but were viewed by the Palestinians as inadequate, particularly on the issue of the right of return for refugees and control over East Jerusalem.

Road Map for Peace (2003)

The Road Map for Peace was a plan proposed by the Quartet on the Middle East (the United States, the European Union, Russia, and the United Nations). It aimed to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through a series of steps leading to the creation of a Palestinian state. The plan faced numerous obstacles, including Palestinian objections to the lack of immediate cessation of Israeli settlement activity and the continued presence of Israeli military forces in the West Bank.

Annapolis Conference (2007)

Hosted by U.S. President George W. Bush, the Annapolis Conference sought to revive the peace process. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas agreed to negotiate towards a two-state solution. However, subsequent political changes, ongoing violence, and Palestinian dissatisfaction with the lack of tangible outcomes hindered progress. The Palestinian leadership ultimately rejected the proposals made by Olmert, citing insufficient guarantees on key issues such as borders, refugees, and the status of Jerusalem.

Gaza Wars and Ceasefires

Several conflicts between Israel and Hamas, the de facto governing authority of the Gaza Strip, have led to numerous ceasefires, often brokered by Egypt and other international actors. While these ceasefires have provided temporary relief, they have been frequently rejected by Palestinian factions who argue that the underlying issues, such as the blockade of Gaza and the right of return for refugees, remain unaddressed.

Abraham Accords (2020)

The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States under President Donald Trump, led to the normalization of relations between Israel and several Arab countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. While these accords marked a significant shift in regional dynamics, the Palestinian leadership rejected them, arguing that they undermined the Palestinian cause and violated the Arab League's longstanding position of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before normalizing relations with Israel.

October 7

After Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005, the Palestinian Authority initially took control of the area. However, in 2007, Hamas, an organization designated as a terrorist group by many countries, forcibly took over Gaza after a brief but intense conflict with Fatah, the ruling party of the Palestinian Authority. From that point on, Hamas effectively governed Gaza.

Between 2007 and October 7, 2023, Hamas diverted significant resources away from civilian infrastructure and the welfare of the Palestinian population, redirecting them to build a complex network of underground tunnels. This network, sometimes referred to as the "Gaza Metro," is reported to rival the scale of the London Underground system. These tunnels are used for various military purposes, including smuggling, storage of weapons, launching attacks, and concealing Hamas fighters, highlighting how Hamas prioritized military infrastructure over the needs of the people in Gaza.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel, resulting in the deaths of around 1,400 people and the abduction of over 200 hostages, including civilians and soldiers.

To put this in American terms, given that Israel's population is approximately 9.3 million and the United States has a population of about 334 million, the equivalent in the U.S. would be about:

• 51,800 deaths

• 125,800 injuries

• 9,250 hostages

These figures illustrate the immense scale and impact of the October 7 attack on Israel, comparable to multiple large-scale terrorist attacks or conflicts in the U.S. context.

On September 11, 2001, 2,977 civilians were killed in the attacks. After attacks, the United States launched a comprehensive response known as the War on Terror.

The U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq resulted in significant civilian casualties. Estimates suggest that between 200,000 to 210,000 civilians died in Afghanistan and 185,000 to 208,000 civilians died in Iraq due to the US invasions, according to various reports. The numbers don't include long-term civilian suffering, displacement, and instability.

These figures reflect the extensive human cost of the U.S. response to the 9/11 attacks.

[1] Transjordan was placed under the rule of Abdullah I, a Hashemite prince, who later became its king. Meanwhile, the western part of the mandate continued to be referred to as Palestine, where British administration oversaw the conflicting interests of the Jewish and Arab populations until the end of the mandate in 1948.

How did Transjordan become Jordan? In 1948, it went to war with other Arab countries against the newly proclaimed state of Israel. After the truce, Abdullah annexed the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. Since the name ''Transjordan'' meant only the East Bank, he changed the name to the Kingdom of Jordan, and later it became known as the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. In 1967, Hussein attacked Israel and lost all that his grandfather had annexed.

Farouk Kaddoumi, a prominent Palestinian leader, also made statements highlighting the close connection between Jordanians and Palestinians. In a 1977 interview with Newsweek, he stated: "Jordanians and Palestinians are considered by the PLO as one people." This reflects a sentiment often expressed by Palestinian leaders,

Jordan today is still ruled by the Hashemites, (who are actually from Saudia Arabia), even though at least 60% of Jordan’s population identify as Palestinians. Even the Queen of Jordan is Palestinian. So there is already an Palestinian state already in place called Jordan.   

Israel has not pursued this approach to the conflict because it didn’t want a hostile Palestinian  state on it eastern border. They instead work with the Hashemites to keep the border under control.