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Are Jews Indigenous to the Land of Israel?

(Tablet) Ryan Bellerose - As an indigenous activist - I am a Metis from the Paddle Prairie Metis settlement in Alberta, Canada - I am asked, "Are Jews the indigenous people of Israel?" I'm inclined to answer with the honest truth, backed by indisputable, thousands-year-old historical and archaeological fact: Yes. The Palestinians do indeed have the legitimate "rights of longstanding presence" in Israel, but to say that Palestinian Arabs were the first inhabitants of the Land of Israel is problematic for actual indigenous people like the Jewish people who were forcefully conquered. Conquering peoples cannot become indigenous simply through conquering indigenous people. Indigenous status is specific to certain areas. The cultural genesis, language, and ancestral ties of Palestinian Arabs trace back to the Hejaz (in present-day Saudi Arabia) where Muhammad was born and where he established a community of followers. Just as the Cree would not claim Mohawk territories, Arabs should not try to claim Jewish territories.
2017-02-10 00:00:00
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