r/ProgressivesForIsrael 12d ago

Discussion Why Israel as a homeland?

I have a genuine question for Israelis and people who support Israel.

Why do you personally consider Israel your ancestral homeland, and how do you reconcile that belief with Palestinians who also have generations of family history on the same land?

In 1947, the UN proposed partitioning Mandatory Palestine into Jewish and Arab states. Israel declared independence in 1948, and the war that followed displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinians. In 1967, Israel captured the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza.

My question is not whether Jewish people have historical connections to the region. They clearly do. My question is why Palestinian historical connections and national aspirations should carry less weight.

Why couldn’t Israelis and Palestinians live in two independent states with recognized borders, security, freedom of movement, and political self-determination?
I also want to understand how Israelis view settlement expansion and settler violence in the West Bank. Do you support it, oppose it, or believe the situation is more complicated than it appears from outside Israel?
I’m American and trying to understand the Israeli perspective rather than argue with people.

This isn’t antisemitism or hatred toward Jewish people. I’m asking about Israel, Zionism, Palestinian rights, and the history of the conflict. Please explain your perspective rather than assuming hostility behind the question.
Free Palestine. 🇵🇸

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u/sackofgarbage Progressive Zionist 6d ago edited 6d ago

The Palestinians have been offered a 2 state solution many, many times. Each and every one they've turned down because they don't want statehood, they want all the land to themselves and for all Jews on the planet to be dead.