1. PALESTINE IS PART OF BIBLICAL HISTORY (Fiction)

The Romans renamed Israel "Syria Palestine” in 135 AD
John finished Revelation around 95 AD
The entire history recorded in the Bible took place before 135 AD
The correct names in the Bible for the land area referred to as "Palestine”
are, Canaan. Israel. Judah, Judea, Samaria and the Promised Land
NO maps should display titles with "Palestine` on them
The New Testament uses the "Land of Israel' twice (Matthew 2.20-21) and
never uses the name "Palestine- or 'Palestinian "
The name "Palestine” was first applied to the country in modern times in 1920 when the negotiators at the San Remo Conference established the country as the Jewish National Home. Before WW1, it was an administratively indistinct area of the Ottoman Empire- During the time in between the fall of Rome and WWI The area was referred to as 'The Holy Land". 'Judea', "Zion", "The Land of Israel', "The land of the Bible", and "Syria" (part of)
In 1977, Zahir Muhsein, a PLO Executive Committee Member, was quoted as saying, “The Palestinian people does not exist. The creation of a Palestinian state is only a means of continuing our struggle against the state of Israel for our Arab unity. In reality today, there is no difference between Jordanians, Palestinians, Syrians, and Lebanese. Only for political and tactical reasons do we speak today about the existence of a Palestinian people, since Arab national interest demands that we posit the existence of a distinct 'Palestinian people' to oppose Zionism."

Conclusion: The terms “Palestine” and “Palestinian” do not refer in any way to Biblical history. They also do not refer to a culture, a government, or a particular civilization.

2. PALESTINE WAS AN ARAB RULED COUNTRY AFTER THE JEWS WERE EXILED (Fiction)

-The Jewish connection to the land dates back 3700 years and there was always a Jewish presence in the land over many conquests and empires. Even after they were exiled to Assyria and Babylon, Jews returned to the land and rebuilt the city of Jerusalem and the temple.
-The Romans conquered the area in 63 BCE. The Hasmonean Dynasty ruled over Judea proper and Herod was appointed to govern it. At this time, it was referred to as “Judea" and was mainly inhabited by Jews and ruled by Jews.
In135 CE, Emperor Hadrian's forces suppressed a Jewish revolt and the Romans attempted to humiliate the Jews by naming the land after the Philistines, their ancient enemies. It had absolutely nothing to do with Arabs (In fact, Arabs and Philistines are always referred to in the Bible as two separate groups.)
They also changed the name of Jerusalem to "Aelia Capitolina" and gave it the status of a colony The Jews were forbidden to live in the zone in or around the city so they moved to the areas of the Galilee and Golan and also Jericho, east of the zone.
313-636 CE, the land was under Byzantine rule. Constantine built many churches and monasteries. Jews were not permitted in Jerusalem except for one day a year to mourn the destruction of the temple.
635-1099 CE, The Arab conquest of the land - although the Koran mentions the Holy Land is "divinely assigned to the people of Israel (Sura V:12,20-21), for 4 centuries Caliphs ruled from Damascus, Baghdad and Egypt, and never from Jerusalem. Jews built settlements in Jerusalem and were safeguarded by special poll and land taxes. By 1099 these taxes had increased significantly decreasing the size of the Jewish population in Jerusalem.
1099-1291, the Crusaders conquered Jerusalem and slaughtered most of the Jews and Muslims

1244-1516, Mamlukes win Jerusalem for Muslims and rule the area from Damascus.
1517-1917,the Ottoman Rule. The land is divided into 4 districts and administered from Damascus but ruled from Istanbul. During this time:
-In 1564 the Jewish population had risen to about 10,000 in Safed, a town in northern Galilee
-In 1566 the death of Sultan Suleiman the Magnificent stimulated Jewish immigration
-In 1799 Napoleon conquers Jaffa but retreats before Acre. He makes an ineffective declaration of equal rights for Jews.
-In 1831 Egypt conquered the area but was forced to withdraw in 1840 under pressure from European allies.
-In 1844, the first census in Jerusalem shows 7120 Jews, 5760 Muslims, and 3390 Christians
-In 1860 First Jewish settlement, Mishkenot Sha'ananim, outside the Jerusalem walls.
-1882-1903, large scale immigration took place of Jews from Russia
-1904-1914, another large scale immigration of Jews from Russia and Poland
-1909- The first Kibbutz, Degania, and first modern all Jewish city, Tel Aviv
1917-British Rule begins - British conquest over Ottoman rule. British Foreign Minister, Balfour pledges support for the establishment of a National Jewish Home in Palestine. During British Rule:
-1919-1923, another large scale Jewish immigration from Russia
-1920, Jewish Defense organization founded. The National Council was set up to conduct the affairs of the Jewish community
-1922, British were granted the mandate for Palestine by the League of Nations
-1923, Anglo-Jordanian Treaty established the Emirate of East Jordan. Nearly 80% of the historic land of Palestine and the "Jewish national Home" were severed by the British to create Jordan. Jordan gained full independence in 1946
-1924, Institute of Technology founded in Haifa
-1923-1924, a large immigration of Jews from Poland
-1925, Hebrew University opened on Mt. Scopus
-1933-1939, a large immigration of Jews from Germany
-1944, the Jewish Brigade were Part of the British Forces
-1947, UN Partition Plan passed with 2/3 majority. Of the 20% of the land left after the establishment of Jordan, the plan proposed the dividing of the remaining land into two states. The Jews would be given 55% of the land, over 75% of that land was desert (Negev) and was allotted because of a significant Jewish population. 45% would become an Arab state which would include Western Galilee, Acre, Samaria, the Judean Highlands, Gaza strip and Jaffa. Jerusalem (including Bethlehem) would come under international control. This would all take effect upon British withdrawal from the land. The Arab League rejected this proposal.

-1947, Syrian delegate to the UN, Faris el-Khouri warns, "Unless the Palestine problem is settled, we shall problems protecting the Jews in the Arab world". This
is in response to over 1000 Jews who were killed in anti-Jewish rioting throughout the1940's in Iraq, Libya, Egypt , Syria and Yemen.

1948- The Establishment of the State of Israel one day before the expiration of the British Mandate
-1948, Arab leaders urged Arabs in Israel to leave their homes, convincing them that their armies would destroy the new nation and they could return to their
homes as well as to the homes of the dead Jews. 30,000 Arabs left anticipating war, fleeing to neighboring Arab countries, planning to return.
-150,000 Arabs chose to stay in their homes and became full fledged citizens of Israel.
-1948, 820,000 Jews fled Arab countries under threats, taking only what they could carry. 586,000 of them were resettled in Israel without any compensation from the countries they had lived in.
-1948, Arab Palestinians asked King Abdullah of Trans Jordan to incorporate parts of what was Palestine into his kingdom which resulted in the General Armistice Agreement of April 3, 1949.
-1948, Egypt, Syria, Iraq, Lebanon, Jordan, Saudi Arabia declare war on Israel
-Israel admitted as 59th member of United Nations
-1949, Armistice Agreements signed with Egypt and Jordan, Syria and Lebanon. Jerusalem is divided under Jordanian and Israeli rule
-1951, Jordan's King Abdullah assassinated because of rumored plans for peace with Israel
-1957, Fatah founded with aim of destroying Israel, will later become PLO in 1964 (before Jews were in the “occupied territories”)
-1967, 6-Day war, Jerusalem reunited, Muslims, Christians and Jews all given access to their Holy Places for first time.
-1973, Yom Kippur war
-1979, Israel-Egypt Peace Treaty, Israel gives up Sinai and parts of Gaza
-1987, Intifada begins in the Israeli administered area
-1991, Iraq launches 39 scud missiles into Israel
-1994, implement self-government to Gaza strip and Jericho
-1997, Agreement for Israeli redeployment in Hebron
-1998, Wye River Memorandum transferring 13% of the West Bank (Judea and Samaria) to the Palestinians with the assurance they will crack down on Islamic militants who target Israel
-2000, Israel concludes withdrawal of troops from southern Lebanon. Hezbollah guerillas immediately overrun Israeli allied militia
-2002, Israel deployed 20,000 troops into west bank and Gaza as a result of terrorists blowing themselves up among innocent civilians
-2005, Israel forced 8000 Jewish residents to leave their homes and turned Gaza over to the Palestinians.
-2006, Olmert’s “Convergence Plan” involves an Israeli pullout from 90-95% of the West Bank and several neighborhoods in Jerusalem by the end of 2007. This will mean the expulsion of 50,000 to 100,000 Israeli citizens from their homes and the destruction of between 50-100 Israeli towns and villages.
-2006, (July 27), The United States asks Israel to give up Shaba Farms area to Lebanon, which cover 100 square miles along the Israel/Lebanon/Syria borders.

Conclusion: Over many years, the land of Israel has been ruled by various cultures and religions; however, the only government that ever ruled from Jerusalem was and is that of the Jewish people. There has always been a Jewish population on this land and many efforts have been made to negotiate land for peace.
 

3. CHRISTIANITY IS A GENTILE RELIGION (Fiction)

-In John 7, Jesus celebrates Succot (The Feast of Tabernacles)
-In John 10:22 Jesus is in the Temple for Hanukkah
- Passover (Pesach) -Lev 23:5-8 is the feast in which Jesus was killed for the
redemption of man. We are told to celebrate "the feast" 1 Cor. 5:8
-Sfirat Haomer (The Feast of Early Fruits) -Lev. 23:9-14 is the feast in which
Jesus rose from the dead
-Shavuot (Pentecost) (The Latter First Fruits) Lev. 23:15-21 is the feast in which Holy Spirit
was sent to baptize the believers
- Peter and Andrew are the first two Jewish fishermen to follow Jesus. They lived in Galilee
-James and John were the next two followers of Jesus. They were also fishermen from Galilee
-Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas were all Jewish. In Matthew's Book Jesus gives these 12 Jewish men the following instructions: (Mt. 10:5) "Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any home of the Samaritans. Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel."
-People in Jerusalem during Shavuot were amazed that (the 120 ) who were ALL Galileans , were talking about God in different languages (Acts 2:7)
-In Acts 2:46, the believers met together in the temple courts and in their homes.
-Acts 6:7 tells us that "the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number of priests (Levites) became obedient to the faith."
-Stephen who was martyred in Jerusalem was a Jew. He says (Acts 7:2) "Brothers and fathers, listen to me! The God of glory appeared to our father, Abraham."
-Acts chapter 15 discusses The Council who met in Jerusalem to figure out how to include the Gentiles in the church. By verse 22, a letter had been drafted to the Gentile believers about requirements of following Jesus.
-In Acts chapter 21, Paul's arrives in Jerusalem to see James and the elders of the church. Paul tells them what God has done among the Gentiles and their response is, "You see , brother, how many 1000's of Jews have believed and all of them are zealous for the law."...they go on to explain the misunderstandings that have come as Gentiles are following Messiah Jesus.
-Paul continued to celebrate for Shavuot (Pentecost=Greek name)- Acts 20:16
-147 CE Pius, the successor to the Bishop of Rome, claimed his brother, Hermes, had received instruction from an angel commanding that Passover be observed on the Lord's Day and not on the 14th of Nissan.
-Late 2nd century, Melito of Sardis, the Bishop of Smyrna, contended that the New Testament Passover was to be held on the 14th of Nissan and should not be changed.
-325 CE Constantine the Great called the first Council of Nicea composed of 300 gentile church leaders. At this time, Gentiles wanted to distance themselves from Judaism which was unpopular in the Roman Empire. Constantine, who considered himself the leader of the Christian Church, said, "Let there be nothing in common between you and the detestable mob of Jews! We have received from the Savior another way..." Believing Jews were forced to give up all elements of Judaism. They were forbidden to celebrate the Sabbath on Sat. and forbidden to circumcise their children. Constantine also replaced Biblical holidays with alternative forms of celebrations adopted from Pagan religions. The Council leaders decided that "Christians" would not be allowed to commemorate Passover, but would observe the resurrection on a new holiday called Easter which would be observed on the Sunday after Spring Equinox.

Conclusion: The church lost its Jewish identity because of man’s intervention not God’s.


4. THE GOD OF ISRAEL HATES ARABS (Fiction)

The Book of Isaiah in the Old Testament says in chapter 42 , verse 6, "I the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles." Over 700 years later, a righteous man named Simeon met the baby Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem as it's written in Luke's testimony, the 2nd chapter, verse 30, and said, "For my eyes have seen your salvation which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel." The Savior was sent for all people. John, in the 3rd chapter of his book, verse 16 says, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life!" That includes everyone... .Jews, Arabs and everyone else! In the Book to the believers in Rome, Paul says it this way in chapter 10, verse 12 that "there is no difference between Jew and Gentile - the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him." Isaiah even prophesies specifically about the Arab people in the 19th chapter of his prophetic word, verses 23-25. Isaiah says, “In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day, Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The Lord Almighty will bless them, saying “Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance.”

Conclusion: The Jewish people brought the world the Word of God and the Savior. Every people group is welcome to accept His love and the God of Israel has special blessings for the Arab people.
 

5. THE JEWS ROBBED ARABS OF THEIR LAND (Fiction)

-Analyses of land purchased from 1880-1948 show 73% of the land owned by Jews was purchased from large landowners including Arab Mayors of Gaza, Jerusalem and Jaffa.
-In 1931, the British offered new plots of land to any Arabs who had been "dispossessed" from their land. Of 600 who were eligible, only 100 accepted the government land offer.
-In 1937, the British Peel commission found that Arab complaints about Jewish land acquisition were baseless. It also pointed out that, "much of the land now carrying orange groves was sand dunes or swamp, uncultivated when it was purchased."
-Jews generally sought to buy land that was cheap, largely uncultivated, swampy and without people living on it.
-According to British statistics, more than 70% of the land that would later become Israel was not owned by Arab farmers, but it belonged to the mandatory government (British) Those lands reveled to Israeli control when Britain departed.
-Nearly 9% of the land was owned by Jews and 3% by Arabs -who became citizens of Israel. That means only 18% belonged to Arabs who left the area before and after the Arabs invaded the nation of Israel.

Conclusion: There is no record of Jews forcibly stealing or robbing Arabs of land in Israel (or in what was Palestine)


6. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS ARAB ISRAELI (Fiction)

-Of the 6.7 million Israelis, 1.3 million (20%) are non-Jews. 1.1 million are Muslims, 130,000 are Christians, 100,000 are Druze
-Arab citizens of Israel have equal voting rights-even women can vote!
-An Arab Israeli, Ali Yahya served as Israel's Ambassador to Finland from 1995¬1999
-An Arab Israeli is a Supreme Court justice. His name is Salim Jubran
-Arabic, like Hebrew, is an official language in Israel
-300,000 Arab children attend Israeli schools
-2002, the Supreme court ruled that the government cannot allocate land based on religion or ethnicity
-Arab Israelis are not required for military duty to spare them from taking up arms against their brothers.

Conclusion: Many Arabs enjoy the benefits of Israeli citizenship and live with privileges, such as voting rights , that they would not have in most Arab countries.


7. MUSLIMS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO WORSHIP FREELY IN ISRAEL (Fiction)

-Between 1948 and 1967 Jordan controlled the Holy sites in Jerusalem, and it did not permit all faiths (specifically Jews) freedom to worship
-Since 1967, the Holy sites have been under Israeli control and all faiths may worship freely (Is there any Arab nation where Jews can worship freely?)
-The United States State department writes, "the law (in Israel) provides for freedom of worship and the government generally respects this right in practice."
-Former President, Jimmy Carter is noted as saying, "There is unimpeded access today (to the Holy Sites). There wasn't from 1948-1967."

Conclusion: Unlike any Arab nation, all faiths can practice their beliefs in Israel.

8. JERUSALEM IS A HOLY CITY MENTIONED IN THE BIBLE AND IN THE KORAN (Fiction)

“Jerusalem” appears 657 times in the Old Testament and 154 times in the New Testament.
“Jerusalem” appears 0 times in the Koran.

Conclusion: The city of Jerusalem is a central part of Jewish and Christian beliefs.
It plays a much less significant role, if any, in Muslim beliefs.
 

9.JEHOVAH AND ALLAH ARE THE SAME GOD WITH DIFFERENT NAMES (Fiction)

Jehovah is a God of love and redemption.
Allah tells people to die for him to get salvation without a clear picture of what salvation is.

Jehovah is all powerful creator of everything
Allah is the moon god from Mecca (the crescent)

Jehovah sent Jesus so we could know God personally
Allah cannot be personally known

Jehovah teaches through His Son (John 4:24) that God is a spirit.
Allah is blasphemed if you refer to him as a person or a spirit.

The Bible says God is father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Koran denies God is a trinity

Jehovah is always true, completely trustworthy and consistent
Allah is not bound by his word and cannot be trusted

Jehovah is love. He shows feeling for his creation
Allan does not have feelings toward man. That would reduce him to mere man

Jehovah is God himself coming to mankind, bringing us salvation
Allah does not personally deal with man. He uses his word, and prophetic angels.

Jehovah offers free salvation through Jesus. Jesus is our intercessor.
Allah is not savior or intercessor. There is no concept of grace.

Jehovah has his only Son, Jesus
Allah has no son.

Jehovah is the God of Israel
Allah calls Israel an enemy.

Conclusion: Jehovah and Allah have nothing in common