The Bible Confirms It
One of the things I’ve observed about the Left over the years is that they never give in, and they never, ever accept your premise. Especially when it’s back by facts.
It’s why I realized 20 years ago that giving people just facts and data about Israel didn’t cut it. They were just statistics at precisely the same time the evil PLO was kicking into high gear its “narrative” propaganda. For example, Israel would release numbers of those killed by terrorists.
Following that, the Palestinians would utilize their corporate media contacts around the world and pump-out stories of individuals that had “suffered” under “Occupation.” These would typically take place in some ramshackle house, with plenty of photographs of grieving elderly family members. Much of this was staged, not to mention the fact that many Palestinians were living in fine homes (I’ve seen this myself).
I have long advocated for an approach in advocacy that captures the heart. If there is no emotional connection, few people will awaken to Israel’s plight. At that point, one hopes that we no longer have to appeal to “how does this affect me?” (given our cultural obsession with self, particularly within the Church) and people will demand justice for the Jews simply because it’s the right and moral thing to do.
There is one area that does excite people and bring alive a connection between Israel and her ancient homeland.
Archaeology.
I noticed a powerful quote this week on Facebook by Phillip Pasmanick:
“Sad, how to the millions of anti-Israel activists, no amount of proof, historical or archeological, even spread over centuries, is enough to convince the anti-Semites of the ancient Jewish presence in Israel. Think about that.”
I agree, but am a bit more optimistic about the chances of getting somewhere with people that to this point were hostile to Israel, or indifferent (perhaps the worse of the two views).
I do think archaeology matters in people’s perceptions.
Under the terror reign of Yasser Arafat, the little Egyptian-born troll would claim that he was a Canaanite! To the PLO/PA, if they could “be there before the Israelites,” it would bolster their case. Only a stupid and uneducated populace believed that whopper. But it did prove that digging into the past, literally, can make a difference.
Every day, archaeological teams in Israel uncover something fascinating, often in Jerusalem.
In 2020, teams found in Jerusalem a group of “capitals,” the caps on pillars, in the “Proto-Aeolian” architectural style, from the First Temple period. These were made between the reigns of Kings Hezekiah and Josiah.
In 2017, an ancient Hebrew town was uncovered near Beit El; it dated to the time of the Persian occupation of Judea.
In 2009, along a beach, the so-called Magdala Stone was found, a carved stone block. On it was a representation of the menorah in the Temple. Such finds are specifically Jewish, and dated to a particular biblical period, something no Palestinian can claim from any nation known as “Palestine.” Or the Canaanites. Or…
One of the most impressive sites tying the Jews to the land is located just outside the Old City walls in Jerusalem. In 2017 I had the pleasure of seeing this for myself, during a stroll around the city with my friend Brian Schrauger.
Dating from 168 B.C., the area known as Acre was thought to be either lost for good, or perhaps mythological (from the critics).
Then it was found under a parking lot. The densely packed fortress, set up outside the city by the evil Antiochus Epiphanes, ruler of the Seleucid Empire that oppressed the Jews in the time of the Maccabees.
It is a visual reminder that God is not mocked, as Antiochus set himself up as something of a god, but in the end he died a horrible dead and his famed fortress ended up under a parking lot.
Don’t mess with the Creator of the Universe.
Point being, such sites—places that people can see for themselves—can have a powerful impact on those that believe Jewish history in Israel is myth. Or perhaps they have come under the influence of evil people that want to erase the Jewish links to their ancient homeland in the present day.
Seeing is sometimes believing.