# 41 A Historical Perspective of the Israel/Palestine Arab Conflict

Biblical Revelation of Race

# 41 A Historical Perspective of the

Israel/Palestine Arab Conflict

by

Vernon M. Herron

The late Benjamin E. Mayes and the World Book Encyclopedia helped me greatly to understand the century old conflict between Israel and Palestine. I have wondered why half brothers and sisters, and cousins could not get alone. What is the rationale why biblical scholars have long said that ‘contrary to our prayers for Jerusalem’s peace, it is ordained that there will be no peace.’

A Historical Perspective of the Israel/Palestine Arab Conflict



Research shows that the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), chaired by the late Yasir Arafat, is in alliance with Palestine Arab groups that work to establish an Arab state in what was once Palestine. The area that made up Palestine now consists mainly of Israel, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.



During the Truman Administration, Israel was declared a state. The PLO did not recognize Israel’s right to exist but in 1988, Arafat persuaded the PLO to accept Israel’s right to exist alongside a Palestine state in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.



In 1993, the PLO and Israel gave recognition to each other but that truce did not last long. There remains conflict and war between these groups even until this day.



What Is The Biblical Reference to This Conflict?

The account can be found in Genesis 16 and 17. The conflict stems from hostility which has existed since the birth of Ishmael and Isaac, sons of Abraham. Ishmael was the son of Abraham and Hagar who was an Egyptian handmaid while Isaac was the son of Abraham and his wife Sarah. The Arabs are of the descent of Ishmael while the Hebrew people are of the descent of Isaac.

Genesis 16:1-4, 15

Now Sarai, Abram’s wife bare him no children:

and she had an handmaid, an Egyptian, whose name was Hagar.

And Sarai said unto Abram,

Behold now, the Lord hath restrained me from bearing:

I pray thee, go in unto my maid;

it may be that I may obtain children by her.

And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai.

And Sarai, Abram’s wife took her maid the Egyptian.

After Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan

and gave her to her husband Abram to be his wife.

And he went in unto Hagar and she conceived

and when she saw that she had conceived,

her mistress was despised in her eyes.

And Hagar bare Abram a son:

and Abram called his son’s name,

which Hagar bare, Ishmael. (Arab decent)

Genesis 17:19-21

And God said, Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed;

and thou shalt call his name Isaac:

and I will establish my covenant with him

for an everlasting covenant and with his seed after him.

And as for Ishmael,…I will make him a great nation.

But my covenant will I establish with Isaac,

which Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.