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9th Annual Day of Learning
Israel and the Palestinians – What really happened?
By Michael Horowitz, Jewish Community Relations Council Member
May 14, 1948 was the day Israel declared its independence as a nation and reestablished an ancient homeland for Jews after centuries in exile. Finally, Jews had a homeland; their own country recognized by the international community and the United Nations. This was a time for joy and great celebration.
The Arab population in Palestine had and has a different perspective of the creation of the state of Israel. They call that day a catastrophe and recognize May 15 of each year as Nakba Day (memory of the catastrophe). Half of the Arab population left their homes shortly after the creation of the state of Israel, which led to 700,000 Arab refugees.
On college campuses and on the streets of some of our largest cities, there have been pro-Palestinian demonstrations even though scores of innocent Israeli citizens and visitors from other countries were killed, raped, tortured and kidnapped. These demonstrations have increased in frequency after the Israeli response to those attacks. Many of the demonstrators claim that Jews are colonial occupiers of the land that the state of Israel is on, and that they are racist as well. That rhetoric has fueled even more antisemitism.
It is particularly important for all of us to know the true facts about why the Arab Palestinians living within Israel’s borders in 1948 left and why they did not return. Equally important is how those Palestinians that remained within the borders of Israel have been and are treated versus the Jewish population of Israel.
Mr. J.J. Goldberg, an author, frequent lecturer and nationally syndicated columnist on topics relating to Israel, will discuss these issues, and more. After his presentation, Mr. Goldberg and Stephen (Steve) Schreier will participate in a broader moderated discussion of significant matters of concern related to Israel.
Please attend the 9th Annual Day of Learning (March 11, 1-4 p.m. at the Nina Iser Jewish Cultural Center) to learn what really happened to the Palestinians living in the territory that is now Israel. This will be an in-person event only. The cost to attend this event is $18. Refreshments will be provided. To register for this event, go to www. jewishnaples.org.
