JERUSALEM (VINnews) — Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said late Sundayin Paris that “there is no such thing as the Palestinian people, and it was a concept invented less than 100 years ago.”
Join our WhatsApp groupSubscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Speaking at a memorial event for Jacques Kupfer – a Likud activist in Paris who died of cancer two years ago, Smotrich claimed he and his family were the true Palestinians. “My father was a 13th-generation native of Jerusalem and my grandmother who was born to Zionist pioneers in Metula 100 years ago is a Palestinian,” the minister said.
“Truth must be told without bowing our heads to the lies and subversions of history by pro-Palestinian organizations and the BDS,” he said.
Smotrich noted the rules of international law and said that “the rules have five characteristics that define a nation – history, culture, language, currency and historical leadership. Who was the first Palestinian king? What language do the Palestinians have? Has there ever been a Palestinian currency? Is there a Palestinian history or culture? There isn’t any.”
“There are Arabs in the Middle East who arrived in the land of Israel at the same time the Jewish Zionist return began, after 2,000 years of exile, and some Arabs in the region, do not like that. So, what do they do? They invent a fictitious people and claim fictitious rights in the land of Israel, just to fight the Zionist movement,” he added.
“That is the historic and biblical truth and it must be told to the Arabs in the land of Israel and here at the Élysée Palace. The Jews in the land of Israel must also hear it. They are a bit confused and it must also be told in the White House. The entire world should hear the truth because it is the truth and the truth will be triumphant,” He said.
Smotrich’s statements are borne out by historical proofs: There is no evidence that significant Arab presence in Palestine lasted after the Muslim conquest. During the period of the Crusades, the Arab population and the entire population in the country dwindled- an Ottoman census in 1525 counted just 120,000 residents and 300 years later in the 1820’s, there were only 300,000 people in the entire country. In the 1830’s Egypt ruled in Palestine and brought 100,000 Egyptians to settle in the region, many of them immigrating to Gaza and Beersheva.
The expansion of the Jewish population and the subsequent aliyot brought with them an influx of Arab immigrants, who maintained the names which characterize their countries: Al-Masri, Abu-Salam, Ibn Saad from Egypt, Husseini and Tamimi from Saudi Arabia, Faruki and Zouabi from Iraq, Allawi and Nashashibi from Syria. The diverse backgrounds of these Arabs testify that they were never one nation and have little in common culturally and nationally.
Smotrich also addressed the 2 million Arab Israelis, advising them not to “pollute the well from which they draw water.”
“Israel is a miracle unlike the lies spread against us. We bring good things to all who live in the land, Jews and non-Jews. Look at the 22 Arab nations around us. Is there one among them that can boast such a good life?” he asked. “Stop fighting the state of Israel and the people of Israel. You will lose and we will win because God is with us,” the minister said.
1000% right, nothing to add store simple fact
He’s right. There is not such thing as “Palestinians”…
Not from 100 years ago, but closer to 1964 when Arafat set up the PLO. (I might have the exact year wrong, but it’s around there)
He is 100% right
Love it ! About time an Israeli government minister speaks the truth.
So true. The biggest lie ever invented. Jordan is where these people should go. Israel belongs to the jews
They are working hard on it. They have agreed on three things that a nation must have: a name (Palestinians), a desired territory (Eretz Israel), and a nemesis (you and me). They are still deficient on the rest (origin myth, language, law, religion, literature, architecture, cuisine, etc.) but when it comes to art they’re making progress, albeit building it on pathos and falsehood. And us? Sorting ourselves into mutually hostile tribes.
Who were the kings or leaders of the so-called “Palestinians” between year 0 of the Common Era and year 1900 of the Common Era?
There were none, because so-called “Palestinians” DID NOT EXIST in those times.
Can you name even ONE important Palestinian philosopher or scientist or mathematician or inventor or author who lived between year 0 of the Common Era and year 1900 of the Common Era?
There were none, because so-called “Palestinians” DID NOT EXIST in those times.
The so-called “Palestinians” are a very recent invention; and they were invented for the specific purpose of committing the greatest land-theft in history: stealing the land of Israel from the Jewish people.
Please feel free to save this comment to your computer for future reference.
Oh my. He really is throwing gas in the fire! Good for him actually telling the truth!!!
I agree with his position. However, Smotrich shows once again that he is not a statesman. A statesman understands that timing is often as important as content.
He is still recovering from his last stupidity regarding Huwara.
He appears to be in a job above his pay grade.
Such irony that they selected the name that the British called the land while colonizing them.
Apparently they’re pro British colonization, but anti Jewish return.
When has there been any such people as Americans, Canadians and Australians? People from these countries only acquired the nationality when they moved there from England and France. Before that, the people were tribal.
Tell me a biblical and historical fact without telling me a biblical and historical fact
Has he explained that to them?
This is why you don’t let amateurs sit at the table with professionals.
Did he also point out that “American,” “German,” and “Vietnamese” are all recent terms? This fellow is a real delight.
But they exist now, no?
Jabotinsky had a different opinion. Read the Iron Wall
Where is the lie
Even if he believes that this is true, he should know better than to say it in public, at a public event.
Only his givah and yetzer hura leads him to say this in a public place which can lead to more hatred and killing.
This is Bibi talking. How does this help Israel, except to incite the arabs and world opinion? This govt is taking Israel down faster than I thought possible. I guess Bibi thinks another terrible WAR will let him keep power.
Another Meir Kahana wanna be.
Right wing “religious” Zionism are the biggest danger to Klal Yisroel.