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From the Letters to the Editor page in the West Australian dated 18/11/2004
' In his letter (15/11) David *********** mixes two issues- the corrupt character of Yasser Arafat and the question of a distinct Palestinian national identity--to convince us that the first is evil and the second a falsehood.
Edited/deleted paragraph.
With respect to the question of Palestinan identity, which Mr ********* rejects as a patent fraud , I have no ready answer. I have taught Middle Eastern history at various universities for 30 years and I am aware of the debate that rages about this issue.There is certainly little evidence of a modern Palestinian consciousness until the late 19th century, just as there is little evidence of a modern Jewish nationalism until Theodore Herzl published ' The Jewish State' in 1896 in which he advocated the creation of an independent Jewish state in the response to the pogroms in Eastern Europe.
The irony is that both modern Jewish nationalism and Palestinian nationalism developed in tandem with the British promising both Palestinian Jews and Arabs some form of independence during WW1 if they would adopt the allied cause.
Palestine came into existence in the 1920s as a British-mandated territory under the League of Nations. Israel was created some decades later out of the same territory. On a strict chronological basis, Palestine has at least an equal claim to modern Israel regarding national identity, but need I remind Mr ********** that not all Jews have agreed on the idea of a modern Jewish state?
There have been may schools of political debate among Jews since the 19th century, most of which have not been concerned with the revival of an Israel that ceased to exist more than 2000 years ago.
Even in modern Israel there remains a hard core of orthodox Jews who reject the idea of the creation of a Jewish state in anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah.
Arafat may have been corrupt , but to deny the Palestinians a sense of identity because of this and on the basis of a particular and selective reading of history serves neither side well if they are to reach some form of co-existence''
Dr Kenneth McPherson PHD in History East Fremantle
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I have highlighted areas I felt needed emphasising in regards to the arguments I see raging back and forth between assorted posters who have an interest in the region.
I would like either sides '' drum beaters'' to make a case as to why this Professor would know less than them.
I wont pretend to know as much as the professor or those descendant from the region ( maybe I am naive) but I do know the general history of the area and know that people like Moshe Dayan and David Ben-Gurion fought side by side as much as Arafat and Abbas did in the last 30 years.(using the same tactics)
I also know the area WAS called Palestine before 1948. As to who has a rightful claim? I dont know..why did the Jewish people spread throughout Europe and leave the area now known as Israel? All questions I would hope get answered before it degenerates into a slanging match
' In his letter (15/11) David *********** mixes two issues- the corrupt character of Yasser Arafat and the question of a distinct Palestinian national identity--to convince us that the first is evil and the second a falsehood.
Edited/deleted paragraph.
With respect to the question of Palestinan identity, which Mr ********* rejects as a patent fraud , I have no ready answer. I have taught Middle Eastern history at various universities for 30 years and I am aware of the debate that rages about this issue.There is certainly little evidence of a modern Palestinian consciousness until the late 19th century, just as there is little evidence of a modern Jewish nationalism until Theodore Herzl published ' The Jewish State' in 1896 in which he advocated the creation of an independent Jewish state in the response to the pogroms in Eastern Europe.
The irony is that both modern Jewish nationalism and Palestinian nationalism developed in tandem with the British promising both Palestinian Jews and Arabs some form of independence during WW1 if they would adopt the allied cause.
Palestine came into existence in the 1920s as a British-mandated territory under the League of Nations. Israel was created some decades later out of the same territory. On a strict chronological basis, Palestine has at least an equal claim to modern Israel regarding national identity, but need I remind Mr ********** that not all Jews have agreed on the idea of a modern Jewish state?
There have been may schools of political debate among Jews since the 19th century, most of which have not been concerned with the revival of an Israel that ceased to exist more than 2000 years ago.
Even in modern Israel there remains a hard core of orthodox Jews who reject the idea of the creation of a Jewish state in anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah.
Arafat may have been corrupt , but to deny the Palestinians a sense of identity because of this and on the basis of a particular and selective reading of history serves neither side well if they are to reach some form of co-existence''
Dr Kenneth McPherson PHD in History East Fremantle
------------------------------------------------------------------
I have highlighted areas I felt needed emphasising in regards to the arguments I see raging back and forth between assorted posters who have an interest in the region.
I would like either sides '' drum beaters'' to make a case as to why this Professor would know less than them.
I wont pretend to know as much as the professor or those descendant from the region ( maybe I am naive) but I do know the general history of the area and know that people like Moshe Dayan and David Ben-Gurion fought side by side as much as Arafat and Abbas did in the last 30 years.(using the same tactics)
I also know the area WAS called Palestine before 1948. As to who has a rightful claim? I dont know..why did the Jewish people spread throughout Europe and leave the area now known as Israel? All questions I would hope get answered before it degenerates into a slanging match

