When Donald Trump declared his recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, it ignited a flurry of articles and discussions about who truly owns Jerusalem. The question of “Who Owns Jerusalem?” has remained a contentious and deeply rooted issue, particularly in the context of the Israel-Palestine conflict. In this article, we will delve into the historical complexities of this matter.
Israel’s claim to the land is often based on the idea that they have ancestral ties to the region dating back thousands of years. However, if we are to play the “who used to be there” game, we find that the historical record becomes increasingly intricate.
If we rewind history, we encounter the Canaanites and Phoenicians, who inhabited a vast territory that included not only present-day Israel but also parts of Syria and Jordan. The Israelites, who later claimed this land as the Promised Land, were not native to the region and, in fact, had their roots in Ur of the Chaldees, which is in present-day Iraq. So, the question arises, should the land then be returned to the descendants of the Canaanites and Phoenician if, on account of Biblical history, Israel lays claim to the land?
One remarkable aspect of history is how various groups, including the Israelites, have at different times captured lands, occupied them, rewritten the historical narratives, and established claims to these territories. The Israelites, for instance, later subdued and conquered the region of Philistia, which included cities like Ashkelon, Ashdod, Ekron, Gath, and Gaza – the same areas they claim to be rightful owners after centuries away.
The Bible itself, which holds immense significance for the Jews, presents a fascinating story. Abraham, considered the father of the Jewish people, lived as a foreigner in the land he would later be revered for. In Genesis 21, we find an account of a treaty made at Beersheba, where Abraham swore an oath to Abimelek, a Philistine leader, acknowledging the land as foreign to him. This happened before the emergence of the name “Israel.”
Genesis 21:
“22 At that time Abimelek and Phicol, the commander of his forces, said to Abraham, ‘God is with you in everything you do. 23 Now swear to me here before God that you will not deal falsely with me or my children or my descendants. Show to me and the country where you now reside as a foreigner the same kindness I have shown to you.’
24 Abraham said, ‘I swear it.'”
Abraham’s time in the land of the Philistines, acknowledged as foreign, raises questions about Israel’s exclusive claims to ownership based on ancient history.
Furthermore, history is replete with instances where the Jews, who have often been perceived as victims, themselves engaged in acts that might be viewed as brutal or aggressive, such as the destruction of the Amalekites, including children and animals.
Philistia, which existed before the Israelites’ arrival, is today’s Palestine. Even though the father of the Jews, Abraham, once swore to the Philistines, the historical narrative seems to have been forgotten.
In light of these historical intricacies, it becomes evident that Israel cannot lay claim to these regions because it is ‘their home’. If anyone would claim the land on account of an ancient text, it should be the Jebusites, Canaanites, etc.
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