(Daily Express-UK) Catherine Perez-Shakdam - "Zionism" has been relentlessly misinterpreted and maligned in contemporary discourse. At its core, Zionism is the declaration that the Land of Israel is the primordial and perennial home of the Jewish people, a profound connection that transcends mere political assertion. It is a testament to an unbroken historical continuity, a sacred spiritual covenant, and an indomitable legal affirmation. The historical linkage between the Jewish people and the Land of Israel is not a contrivance of modern nationalists but a well-documented reality stretching back millennia. For over three thousand years, Jews have inhabited this territory, weathering invasions, exiles, and occupations. Archaeological discoveries provide irrefutable evidence of an ancient Jewish presence. The Jewish connection to Israel is indelibly inscribed in Jewish traditions and scriptures. The Torah and other Jewish texts are laden with declarations that the Land of Israel is the divinely ordained homeland of the Jewish people. This is found in the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Each recognize Israel as the ancestral home of the descendants of Jacob. The bond between the Jewish people and Israel is not a peripheral or convenient myth but a central, undeniable fact of history. To ignore or undermine this bond is to engage in a deceitful distortion of both history and faith, an act unworthy of serious discourse. Zionism is, in fact, a decolonization movement par excellence, firmly grounded in the principles of self-determination and indigenous rights as recognized by international law. The path to peace and justice in the region begins with acknowledging these fundamental truths. The writer is executive director at We Believe in Israel.
2024-07-23 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive