Whose Land?

by Dr. Robert Carroll

Over 50 years have now passed since Israel was re-birthed as a Nation, yet an age old controversy still grips world attention. That controversy is still the issue of the land! On the one side of the debate, the Arabs (through the so-called Palestinians) claim the land as their birth right, while Israel also lays claim to the land as their birth right. The question of whose land it is, therefore presents a fundamental question and one that demands an answer, if one is to believe one side or the other. I believe the truth of the matter lies in three separate areas.

Biblically

The first area of truth is found within Holy Writ where we find that God gave the land known as Israel, including what we know as Judea and Samaria. In the book of Genesis we see that God made a pledge to Abraham giving the land to Abraham as an everlasting possession (Genesis 15:7-2 1; 17:7-8). This pledge was confirmed through Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 26:34; 28:13-14; see also 35:12).

It must be noted that although God promised a blessing for Ishmael, the actual promise for the land was made through Isaac (see Genesis 17:7-8; 18-21 and 21:12). In Ezekiel 36:5,20; 38:16 and Joel 3:2 we see that God refers to the unique character of the land by referring to it as ?My Land?. Look at the terminology of Ezekiel 36:17-24; 37:21 the Jewish people?s ?Own Land?. Although the Scriptures show that Israel has been forced out of the land on at least four different occasions, the prophets relate to a final regathering in the latter days. Such Scriptures as Amos 9:14-15; Hosea 3:5; Jeremiah 16:14-18; Isaiah 2:24; 43:5-6 and many others bear this out.

Historically

From an historical view, although the nation has left the land on a number of occasions, there has always been a remnant. In Israkit, vol. 1 published by the British Public affairs committee, it is well documented that through out the course of history. There has always been a remnant of Jews left in the land, even after the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD by the Roman general Titus when most of the people were scattered to the four corners of the world. It is an established fact of history that there has never been an Arab Palestinian State, Palestine being mentioned only once in the Koran. It must also be noted that although many maps print the term Palestine in the times of Jesus, the land was called Israel and was only given the name Palestine a hundred years later by the Romans.

Legally

The land was also given to the Jews by the Law of nations: 1878 - Following the Russian/Turkish war, the Berlin Congress of Nations gave full civil rights to the Jews of Palestine. 1917 - When British Forces took Palestine during the World War I, Britain issued the Balfour Declaration which brought forth the concept of a homeland for the Jews. 1922 - The mandate for Palestine was granted to Britain at a meeting of the Allied Supreme Council in San Remo, April 1920.

Note: The separation of Transjordan from the terms of the Mandate by Britain in 1922/23 was an illegal act and was in contravention of the agreement of the mandate Article 5. Britain also broke the terms of the agreement (Article 5) in forbidding a Jewish settlement in Transjordan.

1947 - The UN voted for a partition of the land of Palestine between the Jews and the Arabs. 1948 - Israel was accepted into full membership of the UN.

Biblically, historically and by the law of nations the Jews have a right to exist in the land we call Israel. Those who come against this fact, could well face the wrath of God (Joel 3:1-2).

Let us also be mindful of the words of the Prophet Isaiah, ?For the nation and kingdom which will not serve you shall perish. And those nations shall be utterly ruined? (Isaiah 60:12 NKJV). We have seen nations come and go, those who have come against Israel are now in ruins or at least partial ruins.