No, there never was a Palestinian state, and Jews are not colonisers.
The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is fraught with myths, one of the most persistent being the existence of a Palestinian state before Israel’s establishment in 1948. This narrative is historically inaccurate and serves to delegitimise Israel. Understanding the true history is crucial, as the Palestinian narrative continues to be used as propaganda.
Before Israel declared independence in 1948, the region now known as Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip was part of the British Mandate for Palestine, which was established by the League of Nations after the fall of the Ottoman Empire in the First World War.
Under Ottoman rule, the area was divided into various administrative districts, with no distinct political entity known as “Palestine.” The concept of a Palestinian national identity emerged in the 20th century, largely in response to the Zionist movement and increased Jewish immigration in the area.
However, there was never a Palestinian state, flag or anthem. The notion of a pre-existing Palestinian state is a modern fabrication that ignores the region’s actual history.
The modern State of Israel’s legitimacy is rooted in international law and global recognition. On November 29, 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 181, known as the “Partition Plan,” proposing two states — one Jewish and one Arab.
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The Jewish community accepted the plan, demonstrating a willingness to compromise for peace. However, the Arab states rejected it, refusing to recognise any Jewish state, and instead launched a military assault on Israel following its declaration of independence on May 14, 1948.
Another pervasive myth is the “Nakba” or “catastrophe,” narrative, which claims that Palestinians were forcibly expelled by Israel in 1948. This version omits the critical context that it was the Arab nations that invaded Israel, causing many Arabs to be expelled or flee their homes.
Rather than absorbing the displaced population, the surrounding Arab countries kept them in refugee camps, using them as pawns to pressure Israel. Organisations like UNRWA perpetuated this situation, keeping Palestinians in limbo rather than encouraging their integration into their host countries. This contrasts sharply with how other refugee populations have been handled, where integration and resettlement are the norm.
The land referred to as “Palestine” has always been inherently Jewish. The Jewish people have maintained a continuous presence there for thousands of years, long before Islam or the Arab conquests.
Archeological artifects — such as the ancient fortress of Masada, the Dead Sea Scrolls and ancient synagogues — provide irrefutable proof of this enduring presence. The historical Jewish connection to the land is undeniable and should not be overshadowed by modern political narratives. The Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem was built atop the Jewish Temple hundreds of years after Jews established Jerusalem.
Another myth is that the West Bank and Gaza have always been Palestinian territories, with Israel acting as an occupier. After the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, Transjordan annexed the West Bank and Egypt took control of Gaza.
During this period, there was no significant Palestinian independence movement or international push for an independent Palestinian state. The concept of a Palestinian state only gained traction after Israel’s victory in the 1967 Six-Day War, when Israel took control of these areas from Jordan and Egypt.
Israel’s capture of the West Bank in 1967 was a strategic necessity, not an act of expansionism. Surrounded by hostile neighbors, Israel sought to create a buffer zone to protect itself from future attacks. However, this victory also led to Israel gaining control over a large Palestinian population, which had previously been under Jordanian rule.
Breaking the myths that are deeply woven into the narrative surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is crucial. Recognising the Jewish people’s right to live in Israel does not mean that the land cannot be shared. Indeed, Jews have a long history of seeking peace and coexistence. However, the Palestinian leadership has consistently rejected peace overtures, clinging to a false narrative aimed at Israel’s destruction.
The narrative that Israel is an occupier of lands rightfully belonging to a pre-existing Palestinian state is unsupported by historical facts. Before 1948, there was no Palestinian state. The Land of Israel has always been the ancestral home of the Jewish people, a fact supported by thousands of years of history. Attempts to erase this connection are not only disingenuous, they’re dangerous.
Israel’s existence is legitimate, its borders are recognised by international law and its actions in 1967 were driven by security needs, not territorial conquest. That’s why, in 2005, Israel handed over the Gaza Strip. Yet, rather than building a peaceful state, the Palestinians built a terrorist front to attack Israel.
As we confront today’s challenges, it is vital to shatter the myths distorting the region’s history and to stand firm in defending the truth.
*This op-ed originally appeared in the National Post