Observations of an Irishman: Concise and factual 4000 years of Israeli history

“The more things change, the more they stay the same.” --- Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr

This is a famous quote that perfectly sums up our world right now and especially the Middle East. Thousands of Palestinians have recently started a new protest along the borders with Israel. For the next six weeks, you are going to hear the same old phony narrative by the media, by the politicians and even certain religious leaders.

This narrative will promote every Palestinian as the victim of evil Israeli aggression and as a modern-day freedom fighter. You will either rarely hear about Hamas, or you will not hear about how they are a terrorist organization.

We are living in a world where we love to say "never again." How we love to think that Nazi Germany and a Holocaust could never happen. The truth is we have people on BOTH sides of politics who are anti-Semitic, who not only HATE Israel but will actively spread lies about Israel being evil and Palestine being good. To help counter this narrative, I wanted to share a brief history of Israel that goes back over 4000 years.

(NOTE: This article is NOT MY OPINION on Israel. IT IS FACTS and FIGURES, which you can research for yourself. Words in CAPS are key issues to this day and are highlighted to show how much history surrounds them.)

2000 BC: The first Jewish tribes and kingdoms settle in Israel.

1000 BC: King David unites all the Jewish tribes in a single Kingdom of Israel with Jerusalem as the capital. Around this time, King Solomon builds the first temple on the TEMPLE MOUNT.

930 BC: Israel splits into two kingdoms called Israel (north) and Judah (south).

586 BC: The Babylonian Empire conquers Judah, destroys the first temple and most Jews are expelled to Babylon for 70 years (Babylon is modern-day Iraq).

515 BC: Jews return from exile and seek to rebuild the temple in Jerusalem which is called the Second Temple.

330 BC: Alexander the Great (Greek Empire) attacks and conquers Judah. For the next 200 years, Greek and Syrian kings rule Judah.

140 BC: The Jews fight back and finally win independence. They form the Kingdom of Judea which is ruled by the Maccabean Kings.

62 BC: The Roman Empire attacks Judea and it loses its independence to the Romans.

A famous Jew named Jesus Christ is born in Bethlehem. He is eventually arrested, condemned to death and crucified by the Romans.

66 AD: Israel fights for independence.

70 AD: Romans invade Jerusalem and destroy the second temple.

73 AD: Jewish resistance starts in Masada and they succeed for a period, however, it is captured by the Romans after three years.

132 AD: This is the start of the second war of independence, also known as the Bar Kokhba Revolt. Initially, they are successful and have several victories, which lead to an independent Jewish State. It only lasts a couple of years as the Romans return and destroy the independence. The result of this defeat is many Jews are spread all over Europe and Africa, creating the Jewish Diaspora. Hadrian, who was the Roman Emperor, changes the name of Israel to PALESTINA, which is named after the Philistines long-time enemies of the Jewish people.

310 AD: The Byzantine Christian Empire begins to rule over Palestina. Christians start to refer to this area as the HOLY LAND.

600 AD: Around this time period, very few if any Arabs live in Palestina.

620 AD: Muhammad, an Arab tribal leader, is the founder of the religion of Islam in Saudi Arabia.

638 AD: Muslim armies invade and capture Jerusalem and all of Palestina. They rule for roughly the next 330 years. During this period, they build the Dome of the Rock and the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount.

1100 AD: Muslims rob and kill Christian pilgrims in Palestina. Christians launch the first of four Christian Crusades with the aim of freeing the Holy Land. When they arrive in Jerusalem, they kill all the Muslim and Jewish inhabitants and rule for around 200 years.

1300 AD: Muslim Mameluks come from Egypt to Palestina and defeat the Crusade. After the defeat, most of the area we know as Palestina and Israel becomes depopulated and abandoned. There are small pockets of clans in some areas, but nothing compared to the past history.

1514 AD: The Ottoman Empire (Turkey today) invades and conquers Palestina and rules for roughly 400 years. There are pockets of Jewish settlements in some areas and they live in relative peace. They are allowed to live, follow their Jewish faith and customs, but they are second-class subjects under Islamic Law. Over the next 250 years, Jews start to return to Palestina in small numbers and they mainly return to Jerusalem, Safed, Hebron and Tiberias.

1864: A British Embassy census shows over 50 percent of the population in Jerusalem is Jewish.

1916: The SYKES-PICOT AGREEMENT, which would later play a larger role in the issues within the Middle East and would be opposed by groups like ISIS, is established between England and France. This agreement is responsible for the boundary lines in the Middle East that we are familiar with today.

1917: The BALFOUR DECLARATION is made by Britain to establish a home for Jews in Palestine when the Turks are defeated.

1918: Britain assumes control of Palestine. You may have heard it called British Mandated Palestine in the past.

1920: In April 1920 at the San Remo Conference, both Britain and France confirm the Balfour Declaration.

1922: 51 countries from the LEAGUE OF NATIONS (which preceded the UN) vote to confirm British rule in Palestine and for Britain to take steps to set up a Jewish home there to encourage and facilitate Jewish immigration. That September, Britain allocates over 75 percent of the land an Arab state called Transjordan (modern-day Jordan) with no Jewish settlement allowed. The remaining 20 percent or so of the land west of the River Jordan is given to Israel. That land is made up of Israel and Judea / Samaria or --- as you may know it today --- the WEST BANK.

1920s: After this declaration, many Arabs sought to live in peace with the Jews. Some groups were not happy, however, and became militant --- attacking Jewish settlements and murdering several hundred people.

1920s - 1930s: Europe sees a rise in anti-Semitic behaviour in places like Russia and Ukraine. The result of this is many thousands of European Jews escape and arrive in Palestine.

1933: Hitler takes power in Germany.

1937: Around 1937, Jews are roughly one third of the population in Palestine.

1941 - 1945: Over 6 million Jews are murdered in the Holocaust by Nazi Germany. During this period, one “World Leader” met with Hitler to not only express support but planned on bringing the Holocaust to Palestine to further exterminate the Jews. That leader was Haj Amin al-Husseini who was the Palestinian Arab leader.

1948: On May 1948, Israel is declared an independent Democratic Jewish State. The very next day, it is attacked by armies of five Arab nations. Despite the long odds (with only a small army that had just formed, and very few arms) the IDF wins.

1964: The Arab League Summit is held in Cairo and witnesses the creation of the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) with the stated goals of liberating Palestine and wiping out Israel through armed struggle. That May, Egypt closes the Straits of Tiran as Egypt, Jordan and Syria plan an attack on Israel for the start of June. Israel decides to make a pre-emptive strike and wins in what we call the SIX DAY WAR. After this win, Israel takes control of the Golan Heights, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula and Judea / Samaria (West Bank). In September, Israel makes history by offering its first (of many) “LAND FOR PEACE” deals where Israel would return the lands it won in the Six Day War in return for a promise of peace. At the conference, Arab leaders unite and not only refuse the deal, but they say NO to peace, won’t have any negotiations with Israel and won’t even recognize them.

1973: If you know anything about the Jewish faith, you know Yom Kippur is a very sacred day. On this holy day in 1973, both Egypt and Syria launch a surprise attack on Israel. Over 18 days of fighting and thousands of innocent casualties, Israel defeats Egypt and Syria.

1977: The Egyptian President Anwar Sadat gives a speech to the Israeli Parliament (Knesset) in Jerusalem.

1979: HISTORY is made as Egypt signs a peace treaty with Israel. The terms of the treaty are that Israel returns the Sinai Peninsula (won in the Six Day War), dismantles its settlements and hands over both oil rights and tourist resorts. Egypt agrees not to attack Israel again.

1987: The FIRST INTIFADA is an uprising by Palestinian groups against Israel-controlled lands.

1988: HAMAS, which is an Islamic terrorist organization, is founded. In its charter, it states “that Israel will rise and will remain erect until Islam eliminates it as it had eliminated its predecessors.”

1994: HISTORY is made for a second time as Jordan signs a peace treaty with Israel.

1995: Israel tries to negotiate another “land for peace” deal, this time with the PLO. Sadly, Hamas continues its terrorism and suicide bombings in the area, killing many Israelis.

2000: Israel offers yet another “land for peace” deal to the Palestinian leadership. Not only is this offer rejected, but terrorism goes to new lows and a SECOND INTIFADA starts.

2005: In a move seeking peace in the area, Israel agrees to remove all its troops from Gaza. Instead of peace, HAMAS takes over the area and uses it as a base to launch rocket attacks against innocent civilians. To date over 12,000 rockets have been fired.

2007: President George W. Bush is joined by both President Mahmoud Abbas of Palestine and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. Yet another “land for peace” deal is rejected by the Palestinians.

2010: Israel offers to renew the moratorium of ceasing to build in settlement area in exchange for Palestinian Authority recognition of Israel as the homeland for the Jewish people. This is also rejected by the Palestinians.

Conclusion

In closing, I would ask you to consider several questions:

If Israel is the evil terrorist nation in the Middle East, why is it they have witnessed decades of peace with both Jordan and Egypt after signing peace treaties?

If Israel and the Jews are greedy, power-hungry people, why have they returned the land they obtained through war in return for nothing more than a promise of peace?

Where are the concessions made by Palestine?

Look at the history of concessions made by Israel to its Arab neighbors. Can you list the concessions made by other nations? Where are the concessions made by Palestine? Would you make as many concessions when a percentage of those neighbors not only doesn't recognize you but actively seeks to kill you?

Today, members of media and politicians love to defend minorities. Have you considered the difference in how such groups would be treated under Islamic rule?

Lastly, consider the outcome of two scenarios. Scenario one is you wake up tomorrow to the news Israel has decided to give up and put down all of their weapons --- what would happen?

The second is you wake up tomorrow and the Arab world has decided to give up and put down all of their weapons --- what would happen?

Think about it.

Jonathon Dunne is an Irishman with a lifelong dream of becoming an American citizen. After waiting for over 13 years, Dunne received a job offer from Glenn Beck so he could achieve his dream, but unfortunately, he did not meet the requirements to apply for a visa. Unless laws change or Dunne decides to break the law (he won't), his American dream is dead. Despite this setback, he still loves America and seeks to be a positive influence on society by promoting the idea of America and God-given freedoms. Tune into Dunne's free weekly podcast, "Freedom's Disciple," on TheBlaze Radio, available on SoundCloud, iTunes, iHeart Radio, Google Play and Stitcher.

POLL: What did YOU think about the 2nd GOP presidential debate?

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Wednesday was a big night for the Republican presidential candidates during the second GOP debate... OR WAS IT?

Glenn wasn't impressed with the debate. In fact, he went as far as to say it was the worst Presidential debate BY FAR he had ever seen for THIS reason: NO ONE discussed the major issues that Americans are actually facing.

Inflation has doubled Americans' grocery bills. Gas is nearing a historic record of $100/barrel. We have DOUBLED our national deficit. Bidenomics and the globalists' green agenda pose an existential threat to core American industries while we continue to fund the Ukrainian people's pensions and small businesses. It is as if our government has forgotten the American people.

It is as if our government has forgotten the American people.

Do YOU think the candidates hit the mark during the second GOP debate? Do you support Trump's decision to skip two debates in a row? Let us know in the poll below!

Do you think the 2nd GOP debate was overall positive?

Did the candidates debate issues you are concerned about?

Do you think the "real" debate was between Trump and Biden in Michigan?

Do you think any of the other GOP candidates can beat Trump? 

Do you think Trump can beat Biden? 

Do you think any other candidate besides Trump can beat Biden?

Do you think it was a mistake for Trump to miss the first debate?

Do you think it was a mistake for Trump to miss the second debate?

COVID is back! Or that is what we’re being told anyway...

A recent spike in COVID cases has triggered the left's alarm bells, and the following institutions have begun to reinstate COVID-era mandates. You might want to avoid them if you enjoy breathing freely...

Do YOU think institutions should bring back COVID-era mandates if cases increase? Let us know your thoughts HERE.

Morris Brown College

Both of Upstate Medical's hospitals in Syracuse, New York

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Auburn Community Hospital, New York

Kevin Rivoli / The Citizen | Auburn Pub

Lionsgate Studio

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United Health Services in New York

Kaiser Permanente in California

Justin Sullivan / Staff | GETTY IMAGES

There was a time when both the Left and the Right agreed that parents have the final say in raising their children... Not anymore.

In the People's Republic of California, the STATE, not parents, will determine whether children should undergo transgender treatments. The California state legislature just passed a law that will require judges in child custody cases to consider whether parents support a child’s gender transition. According to the law, the state now thinks total affirmation is an integral part of a child’s “health, safety, and welfare.”

We are inching closer to a dystopia where the state, not the parents, have ultimate rights over their children, a history that people from former Soviet nations would feign repeating.

Glenn dove into the law AND MORE in this episode titled, "Parental Advisory: The EXPLICIT plot to control YOUR kids." To get all the research that went into this episode AND information on how YOU can fight back, enter your email address below:

If you didn't catch Wednesday night's Glenn TV special, be sure to check it out HERE!

The Biden admin has let in MORE illegal aliens than the populations of THESE 15 states

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There are currently an estimated 16.8 MILLION illegal aliens residing in the United States as of June 2023, according to the Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR). This number is already 1.3 million higher than FAIR's January 2022 estimate of 15.5 million and a 2.3 million increase from its end-of-2020 estimate. Even Democrats like New York City's Mayor Adams Mayor Adams are waking up to what Conservatives have been warning for years: we are in a border CRISIS.

However, this isn't the same border crisis that Republicans were warning about back in 2010. In the first two years of the Biden administration alone, the illegal alien population increased by 16 PERCENT nationwide, imposing a whopping net cost of $150.6 BILLION PER YEAR on American taxpayers. That is nearly DOUBLE the total amount that the Biden administration has sent to Ukraine.

This isn't the same border crisis that Republicans were warning about back in 2010.

These large numbers often make it difficult to conceptualize the sheer impact of illegal immigration on the United States. To put it in perspective, we have listed ALL 15 states and the District of Colombia that have smaller populations than the 2.3 MILLION illegal immigrants, who have entered the U.S. under the Biden administration. That is more than the entire populations of Wyoming, Vermont, and South Dakota COMBINED—and the American taxpayers have to pay the price.

Here are all 16 states/districts that have FEWER people than the illegal immigrants who have entered the U.S. under the Biden administration.

1. New Mexico

Population: 2,110,011

2. Idaho

Population: 1,973,752

3. Nebraska

Population: 1,972,292

4. West Virginia

Population: 1,764,786

5. Hawaii

Population: 1,433,238

6. New Hampshire

Population: 1,402,957

7. Maine

Population: 1,393,442

8. Montana

Population: 1,139,507

9. Rhode Island

Population: 1,090,483

10. Delaware

Population: 1,031,985

11. South Dakota

Population: 923,484

12. North Dakota

Population: 780,588

13. Alaska

Population: 732,984

14. Washington DC

Population: 674,815

15. Vermont

Population: 647,156

16. Wyoming

Population: 583,279