Thoughts on Israel

Thinking about the recent statements by the President of Iran, I wonder how many people's impression of the Zionist/Israeli situation is this?

After the Holocaust, Europe felt bad about so many Jews being killed. So they took a piece of land in the Middle East that was (at least part of) the traditional Jewish homeland and decided to give it to the Jews as Israel. Thus was Israel and Zionism born. Without the Holocaust, no one would have ever thought of making a Jewish state in the Middle East.

This is, of course, not only oversimplified, but actually an inaccurate account. But somethimes I think that most people tend to think in those terms.

In reality, Zionism began in the 19th century, and the re-creation of Israel in 1947 followed several decades of Jewish immigration intended to swell the Jewish population enough so that a state would be viable (and prior to that, there were Jews living in Israel/Palestine for centuries, perhaps as far back as the destruction of hte original Israel).

The creation of Israel was actually accepted by Europe back after World War I in the Balfour Declaration, although it was not realized until after World War II. The main reason that World War I brought about some of the earliest official recognition and plans to bring Israel into the community of nations was, as I understand it, because prior to WWI the land was under the control of the Ottomans, and after the war, the victorious western allies took control from the defeated Ottoman Empire.

In any case, an important question is whether or not Israel would have existed in an alternate universe where the Holocaust did not take place. And the answer, I think, is yes. It might have taken a decade or two more, and it might have had less external support in its founding, but it also would likely have a larger Jewish population, as there would be six million (and maybe more, depending on the Jewish birthrate) more Jews to go there. Of course, this might be offset somewhat by less feeling of a need to go there if there had been no Holocaust, but on the other hand without the Holocaust post-1945 antisemitism would likely be a lot more acceptable, so that might drive more European Jews out into Israel anyway, assuming that a vast number don't go there just because they want to be in a place where they are the majority for a change.

Five years ago, Sam Schulman had some thoughts on this and some similar issues, which are, in my opinion, worth a read.
carve out a Jewish homeland out of Germany and Austria instead of out of "Arab Land" assumes a great deal about the founding of Israel that is not really accurate.

That is all.