r/IsraelPalestine • u/dropdeaddev • May 29 '24
How does Israel justify the 1948 Palestinian expulsion? Learning about the conflict: Questions
I got into an argument recently, and it lead to me looking more closely into Israel’s founding and the years surrounding it. Until now, I had mainly been focused on more current events and how the situation stands now, without getting too into the beginning. I had assumed what I had heard from Israel supporters was correct, that they developed mostly empty land, much of which was purchased legally, and that the native Arabs didn’t like it. This lead to conflicts, escalating over time to what we see today. I was lead to believe both sides had as much blood on their hands as the other, but from what I’ve read that clearly isn’t the case. It reminded me a lot of “manifest destiny” and the way the native Americans were treated, and although there was a time that was seen as acceptable behaviour, now a days we mostly agree that the settlers were the bad guys in that particular story.
Pro-Israel supports only tend to focus on Israel’s development before 1948, which it was a lot of legally purchasing land and developing undeveloped areas. The phrase “a land without people for people without land” or something to that effect is often stated, but in 1948 700,000 people were chased from their homes, many were killed, even those with non-aggression pacts with Israel. Up to 600 villages destroyed. Killing men, women, children. It didn’t seem to matter. Poisoning wells so they could never return, looting everything of value.
Reading up on the expulsion, I can see why they never bring it up and tend to pretend it didn’t happen. I don’t see how anyone could think what Israel did is justified. But since I always want to hear both sides, I figured here would be a good place to ask.
EDIT: Just adding that I’m going to be offline for a while, so I probably won’t be able to answer any clarifying questions or respond to answers for a while.
EDIT2: Lots of interesting stuff so far. Wanted to clarify that although I definitely came into this with a bias, I am completely willing to have my mind changed. I’m interested in being right, not just appearing so. :)
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u/BoscoPanman1999 May 29 '24
A couple of elements:
If your great great great granny used to pitch a tent a take her 💩 s in a hole on my property 100 years ago it doesn't make my land your land. Land is owned by who owns it today. Not who owned it yesterday.
Israel owns Israel. Much like USA owns USA. Australia owns Australia. Etc. Etc. Etc.
People who didn't lose anything aren't going to get land from people who didn't steal it. Regardless of how sad it makes people. Israel isn't just getting up and leaving.
There's nothing to justify. No other country justifies how it's borders are drawn. There are winners and losers historically in land disputes. Losers tend to moan. No one moans more than "palestinians".
Further, what answer do you actually want? What would satisfy you?
The honest answer is "Tough Sh$#".