Israel's conflict

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Authors notes: I have endeavoured to put together a condensed history from the beginning of the state of Israel to the present day including the miss conception of ‘Palestine’ in today’s ideological concept of the uninformed. All though this E-book is intended for every one as well as the enlightened it is only the enlightened that will understand that all this is a Spiritual battle Ephesians 6:12.

Introduction: From Malachi to Matthew — The Silent Years

The final words of the Old Testament fall from the lips of the prophet Malachi, who warned Israel of her spiritual complacency and foretold the coming of a messenger who would prepare the way for the Lord (Malachi 3:1; 4:5–6). After that solemn proclamation, the prophetic voice falls silent. For approximately 400 years, no inspired prophet speaks to the nation of Israel. No new Scripture is given. The heavens appear closed. Yet these so-called “silent years” were anything but still in the theater of history. From a human and geopolitical standpoint, the world was being prepared for the arrival of the Messiah. Empires rose and fell. Languages shifted. Roads were built. Cultures clashed. And the Jewish people were tested under foreign rule again and again. Though God’s voice was not heard in prophecy, His hand was still writing history. During this period, also known as the Intertestamental Period, the Hebrew people endured the rule of Persia, the cultural force of Greece, the oppression of Syrian kings, and the domination of Rome. Out of this crucible emerged new religious groups—Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and Zealots—each trying to define what it meant to be faithful to God in an ever-changing world. It was in these years that hope for the coming Messiah burned brighter than ever, as Israel longed for deliverance from foreign powers and spiritual renewal. Though God did not speak through prophets during this time, He was orchestrating every moment—setting the stage for the arrival of Jesus Christ. The silence of God was not His absence; it was a pause before the greatest announcement in human history: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

1 In the beginning 2 Roman Rule as Colonization: What It Meant 3 Timeline: The Intertestamental Period (430 BC to 4 BC) 4 Islamic Conquest to Crusader Period (638–1517 AD) 5 Modern History: The Road to Israel (1517–1948 AD) 6 The British Misconception of "Palestine" 7 Maps.

Chapters

Chapter 1

In the beginning

Gen 15:18 In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: Gen 15:19 The Kenites, and the Kenizzites, and the Kadmonites, Gen 15:20 And the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Rephaims, Gen 15:21 And the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.

The period between the Old Testament and the New Testament is commonly referred to as the Intertestamental Period, and it spans approximately 400 years. The Old Testament closes with the book of Malachi, written around 430 BC. The New Testament begins with the birth of Jesus, recorded in the Gospels, around 4–6 BC (based on historical recalibration of Herod’s death). So, the gap is roughly: 430 BC to 4 BC → ~425 to 430 years. Though there were no inspired prophetic writings during this time, major historical and spiritual developments took place that deeply affected Jewish life and the background of the New Testament: Greek Rule (331–167 BC) Alexander the Great conquers the region. Hellenization spreads — Greek language, philosophy, and pagan practices influence Jewish culture. Ptolemies and Seleucids; After Alexander’s death, his empire is divided. Jews fall under Ptolemaic (Egyptian) then Seleucid (Syrian) rule, (Ptolemic and Seleucid were Greek rulers).

(The Ptolemaic Kingdom or Ptolemaic Empire was an ancient Greek polity based in Egypt during the Hellenistic period. It was founded in 305 BC by the Macedonian Greek general Ptolemy I Soter, a companion of Alexander the Great, and ruled by the Ptolemaic dynasty until the death of Cleopatra VII in 30 BC.)

The Maccabean Revolt (167–160 BC) Triggered by the Seleucid king Antiochus IV Epiphanes, who desecrated the temple. Led by Judas Maccabeus, this revolt restored Jewish worship (commemorated in Hanukkah). Hasmonean Dynasty (140–37 BC) Brief period of Jewish self-rule under the descendants of the Maccabees. Roman Rule Begins (63 BC) Pompey the Great enters Jerusalem. By 37 BC, Herod the Great is appointed as king of Judea under Roman authority.

Why the Silence? This 400-year period is often called the “Silent Years” — not because God was inactive, but because there were no prophetic voices recorded in Scripture. However, it was a time of: Deep spiritual longing for the Messiah. Formation of key Jewish sects: Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes. Compilation of Apocryphal books (not included in the canon). Translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek (the Septuagint).

New Testament Opens: The Gospels begin with John the Baptist, whom many viewed as the first prophetic voice since Malachi.

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness...” — Isaiah 40:3 (fulfilled in John)

Key Figures of the Intertestamental Period;.

Lifespan: Active ca. 167–160 BC: Judas Maccabeus: Role: Jewish priest and military leader. Known For: Leading the Maccabean Revolt against Seleucid king Antiochus IV. Rededicated the desecrated Temple in Jerusalem (164 BC), which became the origin of Hanukkah. Known for guerrilla warfare tactics and bold defense of Jewish worship and identity.

Antiochus IV Epiphanes: Reign: 175–164 BC, Title Meaning: “God Manifest” (blasphemously self-declared) Known For: Forcibly Hellenizing the Jews. Outlawed Jewish practices (Sabbath, circumcision, Torah).Desecrated the Temple by sacrificing a pig on the altar to Zeus. Legacy: Seen in Jewish history as a type of antichrist. His oppression triggered the Maccabean Revolt and left a lasting impact on Jewish resistance to foreign idolatry.

Herod the Great: Reign: 37–4 BC, Title: King of Judea (appointed by the Romans)
Known For: Politically astute but ruthless; had family members killed to protect his throne. Ordered the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem (Matthew 2:16). Oversaw grand building projects, including the massive renovation of the Second Temple (known later as “Herod’s Temple”).Legacy: A controversial figure — admired for his architectural genius but hated for his brutality and paranoia. His rule set the political stage for Jesus’ birth.

Why was Jerusalem renamed "Aelia Capitolina"? Aelia was Hadrian’s family name (Publius Aelius Hadrianus). Adding his name to the city was an imperial custom to assert ownership and honor the emperor. Capitolina. This referred to Jupiter Capitolinus, the chief Roman god. It linked Jerusalem to the Capitoline Hill in Rome, home to the most sacred Roman temple. A temple to Jupiter was built on the ruins of the Jewish Temple. In other words, Jerusalem was renamed to honor the emperor and his gods, deliberately replacing Jewish and Christian identity with pagan Roman identity.

Summarize purpose of the Renaming; Erase Jewish association with the city. The name “Jerusalem” was holy and uniquely tied to Jewish religion and history.Renaming it attempted to sever this connection permanently. Punish and humiliate the Jewish people, After two major revolts (70 AD and 135 AD), Rome viewed Jews as persistent rebels. Banning them from the city and changing its name was both symbolic and strategic.

Establish Roman dominance and culture, A Roman colony was built over the ruins of Jerusalem. Gentile (non-Jewish) Roman veterans were settled there.Roman infrastructure, idols, and culture replaced the destroyed Jewish landmarks. Suppress future uprisings. By making the city unrecognizable and inaccessible to Jews, Rome hoped to prevent any future messianic hopes or revolts.

Chapter 2

Roman Rule as Colonization: What It Meant:

What is colonization?

Colonization is when a foreign power takes control over a land, imposes its own laws, taxes, and culture, and often suppresses local identity. That’s exactly what Rome did in Israel:

Military Occupation: 63 BC: Roman general Pompey invaded Jerusalem and placed Judea under Roman control. The Jews lost national sovereignty and were ruled by Roman governors or client kings (like Herod). Rebellions were violently crushed (66–73 AD and 132–135 AD).

Cultural Domination: Rome imposed Hellenistic (Greek-inspired) culture, language, and pagan practices. The cities of the Decapolis were Roman outposts of Greco-Roman identity right in Jewish territory. Pagan temples, statues of emperors, and Roman law displaced Jewish tradition.

Taxation and Economic Exploitation: Heavy Roman taxes were placed on the Jewish people. Tax collectors (e.g., Zacchaeus in Luke 19) worked for Rome and were hated for exploiting their fellow Jews. The economy was aligned to benefit Rome and Roman elites, not the local population.

Suppression of National Identity: After the Bar Kokhba Revolt (135 AD), Rome: Renamed Judea to Syria Palaestina. Renamed Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina. Banned Jews from entering the city.

Rome renamed Judea to Syria Palaestina in 135 AD after the Bar Kokhba Revolt — and this act was a deliberate political and psychological strategy to erase Jewish identity from the land. Historical Context: The Bar Kokhba Revolt (132–135 AD)

Led by Simon Bar Kokhba, a Jewish military leader believed by some to be the Messiah. The revolt was fierce and widespread — seen as the final attempt to restore Jewish independence. Rome responded with overwhelming force: Over 500,000 Jews killed, Hundreds of villages destroyed, and survivors enslaved or scattered (the Great Jewish Diaspora).

Why the Name Change?

1. To Erase Jewish Identity: “Judea” (Latin: Iudaea) literally meant “land of the Jews.” Renaming it to Syria Palaestina severed the land from its Jewish heritage.

2. To Humiliate the Jewish People: “Palaestina” was a reference to the Philistines, ancient enemies of Israel. The Philistines had long been extinct, but the name was revived as a calculated insult — associating the Jews’ homeland with their historic rivals.

3. To Reinforce Roman Control: The new name absorbed Judea into the larger province of Syria — implying Rome’s complete subjugation. It aligned with Roman tactics elsewhere: rename, restructure, and reeducate the population under imperial culture.

Ancient Sources Confirming That Dio Cassius, a Roman historian (writing around 200 AD), recorded the renaming:“Hadrian renamed the province from Palaestina in an effort to wipe out the Jewish connection.” This renaming occurred after the Jewish people had lost their final bid for independence.This was the first time the land was officially called “Palestine” in a governmental sense — it was not a country, nation, or ethnic designation. It was a Roman invention, not a native name.

Why was Jerusalem renamed "Aelia Capitolina"? Aelia was Hadrian’s family name (Publius Aelius Hadrianus). Adding his name to the city was an imperial custom to assert ownership and honor the emperor. Capitolina. This referred to Jupiter Capitolinus, the chief Roman god. It linked Jerusalem to the Capitoline Hill in Rome, home to the most sacred Roman temple. A temple to Jupiter was built on the ruins of the Jewish Temple. In other words, Jerusalem was renamed to honor the emperor and his gods, deliberately replacing Jewish and Christian identity with pagan Roman identity.

Summarize purpose of the Renaming; Erase Jewish association with the city. The name “Jerusalem” was holy and uniquely tied to Jewish religion and history. Renaming it attempted to sever this connection permanently.

Chapter 3

Timeline: The Intertestamental Period (430 BC to 4 BC)

This timeline outlines the major historical, political, and spiritual events between the close of the Old Testament (Malachi) and the opening of the New Testament (Matthew), and continues through major developments in the land of Israel up to the modern era.

430 BC — Last Old Testament Prophet: Malachi: Malachi writes the final book of the Old Testament. Warns Israel of complacency and prophesies the coming of "Elijah" (fulfilled in John the Baptist).

430–331 BC — Persian Rule Continues: Jews remain under Persian governance. Temple worship is active under priests like Ezra and Nehemiah.

331 BC — Alexander the Great Conquers Persia: The Greek Empire takes control of Judea. Begins widespread Hellenization: Greek language and culture infiltrate Jewish life.

323 BC — Death of Alexander the Great: His empire is divided among four generals. Judea falls under the control of the Ptolemies (Egyptian Greeks).

198 BC — Seleucid Empire Gains Control of Judea: The Seleucids (Syrian Greeks) take control from the Ptolemies. Pressure on Jews to adopt Greek customs intensifies.

175–164 BC — Reign of Antiochus IV Epiphanes: Bans Jewish practices, desecrates the Temple (sacrifices a pig on the altar). Sparks the Maccabean Revolt.

167–160 BC — Maccabean Revolt: Led by Judas Maccabeus and his brothers. Temple is cleansed and rededicated (celebrated as Hanukkah).

140–37 BC — Hasmonean Dynasty (Jewish Self-Rule): Descendants of the Maccabees rule as high priests and kings. Brief period of Jewish political independence.

63 BC — Roman General Pompey Conquers Jerusalem: Judea becomes a client state of Rome.

37 BC — Herod the Great Appointed King of Judea: Roman Senate names Herod as king. Begins massive building projects, including renovation of the Second Temple.

4–6 BC — Birth of Jesus Christ: The silence of prophecy ends with the appearance of John the Baptist. Marks the beginning of the New Testament era.

135 AD — Rome Renames Judea to Syria Palaestina and Jerusalem to Aelia Capitolina: After the failed Bar Kokhba revolt, Emperor Hadrian renames Judea to Syria Palaestina.Purpose: to erase Jewish identity from the land and symbolically humiliate the Jewish people by referencing the ancient Philistines. Jerusalem is renamed Aelia Capitolina: "Aelia" was Hadrian’s family name, asserting imperial control. "Capitolina" honored Jupiter Capitolinus, Rome’s chief god. A temple to Jupiter was built on the ruins of the Jewish Temple. Jews are banned from entering the city. This is the first governmental use of the name "Palestine" and part of a broader Roman colonization strategy.

Chapter 4

Islamic Conquest to Crusader Period (638–1517 AD)

638 AD — Islamic Conquest of Jerusalem: Muslim armies under Caliph Umar ibn al-Khattab capture Jerusalem from the Byzantine Empire. Jews are allowed back into the city for the first time since the Roman expulsion. The Dome of the Rock (691 AD) and Al-Aqsa Mosque (705 AD) are built on the Temple Mount.

661–750 AD — Umayyad Caliphate: Jerusalem becomes an important religious city in Islam (third holiest after Mecca and Medina). No independent nation of "Palestine" — the area is a province under Islamic rule.

750–969 AD — Abbasid Caliphate: Islamic rule continues; the region is referred to by geographic names like "Jund Filastin" (military district of Palestine).

1099— First Crusade Captures Jerusalem: European Crusaders take Jerusalem, killing many Muslims and Jews. Establish the Kingdom of Jerusalem, a Crusader state. Knights Templars are formed in 1119 to protect Christian pilgrims. Their headquarters are set up on the Temple Mount. They believe they are guarding the site of Solomon’s Temple.

1187- Saladin Recaptures Jerusalem: Muslim general Saladin retakes the city after the Battle of Hattin. Permits Jews and Christians to remain under conditions of submission.

1291— Fall of Acre: Crusaders lose their last major stronghold in the Holy Land. Marks the end of effective Christian military presence.

1517— Ottoman Empire Takes Control: Jerusalem and surrounding regions fall under Ottoman rule led by Sultan Selim I. The region is part of the Ottoman district of Syria. Jews, Christians, and Muslims live under Ottoman law, with non-Muslims subject to special taxes as dhimmis.

Chapter 5

Modern History: The Road to Israel (1517–1948 AD)

Late 1800s — Rise of Modern Zionism: European antisemitism and pogroms lead to calls for a Jewish homeland. Theodor Herzl organizes the First Zionist Congress in 1897. Jewish immigration to Palestine (under Ottoman rule) begins.

1917— Balfour Declaration: Britain issues a statement supporting the establishment of a "national home for the Jewish people in Palestine." However, this term “Palestine” reflected the Roman-imposed name (Syria Palaestina) and was never a sovereign state. The land had always been part of ancient Israel, as laid out in Scripture (Genesis 15:18). British usage of "Palestine" reflected a lack of biblical knowledge and historical understanding, as the region was only ever known as "Palestine" under foreign occupation. This geopolitical mislabeling contributed to future confusion and conflict.

1917–1948 — British Mandate Period: Following the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in World War I, Britain is granted control of Palestine under a League of Nations mandate. Jewish and Arab nationalist tensions rise. Waves of Jewish immigration increase, particularly during the rise of Nazism in Europe.

1936–1939 — Arab Revolt: Violent uprising by Arabs against British rule and Jewish immigration. Britain responds by limiting Jewish immigration, even as Nazi persecution intensifies.

1947— United Nations Partition Plan: UN proposes to divide Palestine into two states: one Jewish, one Arab. Jews accept the plan; Arabs reject it.

1947— Establishment of the State of Israel; On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declares Israel’s independence. Arab states immediately launch an invasion. Israel survives the war and controls more territory than the UN plan allotted. Hundreds of thousands of Arab and Jewish refugees are displaced.

1947— Establishment of the State of Israel: On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion declares Israel’s independence. Arab states immediately launch an invasion. Israel survives the war and controls more territory than the UN plan allotted. Hundreds of thousands of Arab and Jewish refugees are displaced.

Historical Confirmation: Dio Cassius (Roman historian) wrote: “He [Hadrian] founded a city in place of Jerusalem, which he called Aelia Capitolina, and erected a temple to Jupiter on the site of the Jewish Temple. ”Eusebius, the 4th-century Christian historian, also documented this transformation and Jewish exclusion from the city.

Key Religious and Political Groups During the Intertestamental Period Pharisees

Laymen and scribes devoted to the Law. Believed in oral tradition, angels, and resurrection. Opposed Greek cultural influences; emphasized personal holiness.

Sadducees: Priestly and aristocratic class. Rejected oral traditions, angels, and resurrection. Cooperated with Hellenistic rulers and Romans.

Essenes: Ascetic and separatist community (e.g., at Qumran). Strictly observed purity laws. Believed the temple had been corrupted and awaited a coming messiah

Zealots: Militant nationalists who opposed Roman rule. Believed in armed rebellion to restore Jewish sovereignty.

Chapter 6

The British Misconception of "Palestine"

the Balfour Declaration

The British, influenced by Roman imperial language, 19th-century European colonialism, and a secular worldview, referred to the land as “Palestine” without regard for its biblical identity as Israel or Judea. When Lord Balfour issued the 1917 declaration, he used a term imposed by Emperor Hadrian in 135 AD — “Syria Palaestina” — meant to erase Jewish connection to the land.

Britain's political aim was to create stability in the crumbling Ottoman territories and curry favor with Jewish leaders during World War I. However, this led to a grave error in historical justice. Britain failed to recognize that: There had never been a sovereign Arab or Palestinian state in the land. The term “Palestine” was never used in Scripture to describe the land as a nation. The region had been the ancient homeland of the Jewish people, as repeatedly confirmed by archaeological, biblical, and historical records. This mislabeling by the British not only misrepresented history but also sowed confusion that has contributed to over a century of geopolitical tension and bloodshed. It gave legitimacy to a political fiction, implying a national Palestinian identity in a land where no such independent entity ever existed.

Modern Conflicts and Present-Day Issues (1948–Present)

1948–1949 — First Arab-Israeli War (War of Independence): Five Arab nations invade the newly declared State of Israel. Israel wins and gains control of additional territory. Jordan occupies the West Bank; Egypt occupies the Gaza Strip.

1967— Six-Day War: Egypt, Syria, and Jordan mobilize forces against Israel. Israel launches a preemptive strike and captures: East Jerusalem and the West Bank from Jordan. Gaza Strip and Sinai Peninsula from Egypt. Golan Heights from Syria Jerusalem is reunified under Jewish control for the first time in 2,000 years.

1993— Oslo Accords: First direct agreement between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Establishes the Palestinian Authority as a governing body in parts of the West Bank and Gaza. PLO recognizes Israel; in return, Israel recognizes the PLO as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people.

2006— Rise of Hamas: Hamas, a radical Islamic group dedicated to the destruction of Israel, wins Palestinian elections. Eventually takes control of Gaza by force, splitting from the Palestinian Authority. Gaza becomes a launching ground for rocket attacks against Israel.

Present Day: Israel faces continued threats from Iran-backed militias including Hamas and Hezbollah. Political efforts at peace remain stalled. The Abraham Accords (2020) mark new normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations. The land of Israel remains central to global conflict, prophecy, and spiritual significance.

Further to the Oslo occord

The 1993 Oslo Accords did not establish a sovereign state of “Palestine,” nor did they legally recognize it as one. Instead, the agreements: Created the Palestinian Authority (PA). The PA was established as an interim self-governing body. It was granted limited administrative control over specific parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip (designated as Areas A and B). Israel retained authority over security, borders, and foreign affairs. Recognized the PLO as the legitimate representative. The PLO (Palestine Liberation Organization) not "Palestine" as a state, was recognized as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. In turn, the PLO formally recognized the State of Israel's right to exist in peace and security. The Accords left major issues to be negotiated later, including: Borders, Jerusalem, Refugees, Security arrangements and the question of full statehood. the Oslo Accords did not declare a Palestinian state, but rather initiated a transitional administrative arrangement within certain districts of Israel's territory, under mutual recognition.

At the time of the Oslo Accords (1993) — and even well before that — the people in question were ethnically Arab and commonly referred to themselves and were referred to by others as "Palestinians." However, this identity as "Palestinians" is historically newer and has political roots, rather than long-standing national foundations.

Historical Context of the Term "Palestinian": Before 1948 the term "Palestinian" referred broadly to anyone living in the region of "Palestine" including: Jews, Arabs, Christians and other minorities. For example, T eh "Palestine" Post (now the Jerusalem post) was a Jewish run newspaper. Jews in British Mandate "Palestine" often held "Palestinian passports" issued by the British. After 1948 came the formation of Israel: The Jews became citizens of the state of Israel. The term "Palestinian" increasingly began to be used exclusively for Arabs who: Refused to integrate into the new Israel State and remained statless or lived in Arab countries or territories, they were involved in anti-Israel political movements, especially the PLO ("Palestinian Liberation Organisation")

PLO and the Shaping of "Palestinian" Identity: The PLO, founded in 1964 under Egyptian influence and led later by Yasser Arafat, worked aggressively to promote a Palestinian national identity. The goal was to unify Arab populations under the banner of a unique "Palestinian" people, distinct from broader Arab identities. Many of the Arab residents in Gaza and the West Bank were originally from Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and surrounding regions. The idea of "Palestinian nationhood" was used politically to legitimize claims to land and oppose Zionism.

Summary:

The people we now call "Palestinians" were Arabs—many with tribal or national roots elsewhere—but the PLO successfully rebranded them as “Palestinians” to solidify a political cause. The term "Palestinian" became politicized and weaponized, especially from the 1960s onward. So, to the point: the PLO manipulated and reshaped Arab identity into a separate Palestinian nationalism, which did not exist in any formal or historical way before the mid-20th century.