If jews can claim Israel, then why can't native americans claim the American continent?

Question

Every single time I ask this question I NEVER get a response. I always get a "nazi " or "liberal" or "muslim terrorist" answer. I am neither a nazi nor a liberal nor a muslim terrorist or muslim at all for that matter. I'm just a curious teen who likes to be explained about certain issues. Now, i'm completely new to the history of Israel, but from my understanding, it was formed in 1948 led by leadership from  ben gurion as a homeland for the oppressed Jews. Now, my understanding is that Zionism is a political movement that for centuries encouraged the creation of a jewish state (no i don't think zionists run the world and want to kill everybody) , it is also clear to me that part of the strategy early zionists , such as the founder theodor herzl,  wanted to use to boost support for the creation of Israel is anti-semitism. Accordingly, anti-semitism would create sympathy for a group of people that have faced horrible persecution (jews) in almost every country and that sympathy would promote creating a "safe place" for them where they can finally be free .  and I quote "“It is essential that the sufferings of Jews. . . become worse. . . this will assist in realization of our plans. . .I have an excellent idea. . . I shall induce anti-semites to liquidate Jewish wealth. . . The anti-semites will assist us thereby in that they will strengthen the persecution and oppression of Jews.  The anti-semites shall be our best friends" . Doesn't the creation of a single jewish state only further damage the process of Jewish assimilation and acceptance into the societies of their home countries? It is the same as if blacks in America would all move to a single state and isolate themselves from whites under the pretext that they are persecuted in other states, further this move would halt any progress of blacks being assimilated and accepted. Anyways, my main point is, zionists used the land of palestine (i'm referring to the geographic area not the arab claimed 'nation' which i do not support) as the perfect place because it was historically always under jewish presence which from I see is true. But , if a new ethnic people are already there and had established their homes and towns , what gives them the ability to regain ownership of a land that was historically there's but not in the modern era? Wouldn't then, Native Americans, who were also massacred and forcefully displaced from their homeland, which they cultivated and preserved, be able to use the argument that, for thousands of years, it was their land? And sure Europeans established themselves in America , but what would it matter if they are not the original owners, and native americans too faced genocide whether it be by arms or by disease ,and oppression . There were already civilizations with cities and governing systems here in America, as had the jews in ancient Israel, just because they weren't traditional european structured ways of life doesn't dismiss them as "unused land and wasted space" does it? So if jews can reclaim their ancient land, even if it was inhabited by a new type of people , why can't native americans do the same? Would ethnic mexicans, aka mestizos, who now face persecution in the United States , all move to the southwestern area of the US and build upon the homes of american citizens under the pretext that, they are discriminated and are the historical owners of that land, even though they have no modern connection , tie, or familiarity with that land and just mass immigrate their families from all over the U.S to that area of the country, even though, as I said, American citizens, who aren't the historical owners of that land,  are already living and established there? I use the mexican example because A TRUE EDUCATED individual, knows exactly how the U.S got a hold of the mexican territory, under a , you're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't scenario, which, either way, is overridden by the argument that Mexicans are persecuted and discriminated in American cities and are the historical owners of that land and so should be able to regain ownership of it, ignoring the new population that has settled it for an extensive amount of time in the modern era.

Salish · Accepted Answer

.....I side with the Palestinians.....they are just as descended from the Jews who established Israel as the Jews who came after ww2 are, if not moreso. Changing up your religion and cultural evolution doesn't change your ancestry, and when the Jews of Isreal were being persecuted by the moors 2,000 years ago, those who stayed and converted to other religions did so for their own reasons, its their business. The Jews who left did so because they didn't want to give up their faith...and thats not their fault either, they should never have to give up their beliefs in order to live.

When the Christians came and murdered my people by the millions, several adopted Christianity and have passed its ways along to their kids/grandkids, etc. This doesn't make them any less native american than the ones that keep up with traditional ways. The difference between traditional natives and Christian natives vs. Palestinians and Jews? We don't fight amongst each other. Like the Palestinians, we welcome our family into our home and feed/take care of them all just the same. Even the natives that adopt Christianity keep up with these cultural values for the most part.  The Jews that were welcomed back in after ww2, however, decided it was best to bite the hand that fed them. They did not see themselves as being the of the same cut as the Palestinians. Like most Aramaic religions, the people of Abraham tend to believe that whatever book they read from makes them better and more special/right than anybody else, and everybody else lacking.

Bobby · Answer

As others have said, the Native Americans are not numerous or powerful enough to take over and control North America, so it is not a realistic idea.   The Palestine region after World War II was not an organized nation and already had Jewish people there.  When the Jews moved into that region in the 1940s and became the majority, they naturally formed a government and took charge.   There was no Palestine government there at the time, and in fact the British were more or less in control.

? · Answer

Mormons believe in the Book of Mormon (hence the nick name) which records several groups of people who came accross the ocean and settled in the America's. One came accross at the time of the tower of Babel and thus was not Jewish (Abraham had not been born). Some speculate they were Asian. A couple of other groups came accross from Jerusaelm just before it was destroyed in 600 BC. Mormons, believe that these groups are among the native Americans. The church does not take a stand on where these people lived but there is good evidence that the Mayans may have been one of the groups. Mean spirited people like to state that there is no evidence for the Book of Mormon. There are whole books on the subject and they are very convincing.

Warren T · Answer

Actually in some cases they do.  But in most cases they had signed treaties giving up that land even though in a lot cases they were forced to sign. 

The biggest differences between the Israeli's and the Indians is that the Indians are not near strong enough to challenge the U. S Government except maybe in  court.  And if they have a good case they should.

You see according to the rules of history, the Jews should no longer exist as a people, but they do and now they have the land that God gave to them back

affinity292 · Answer

Ok. Here is a simple answer. 

If Native Americans did as Jews did, they could claim much of it. 

The Jews moved there. 

The Jews legally purchased or rented property. 

And in 1946, 80% of Palestine was granted independence as an Arab only/Jew free state, Jordan. 

Then, the remaining 20% of Palestine was granted independence with borders based on demographic majority. That is democracy. 

If the Native Americans want to move into the same neighborhood or city, become the majority, and exercise control through democracy, they absolutely can.

Anonymous · Answer

Well, Israel was formed right after the Holocaust and WW2. In these days, nations had much better connections and communication than in the 1800s when the Native Americans were the oppressed ones. I'm no expert, nor do I fully know why, but I think that this is probably a big factor.

Nicholas J · Answer

The US holocaust against the Native Americans was successful. Their history, leadership and stations of power were annihilated over a two hundred year period. The jews maintained a foot hold internationally in spite of the numerous historic attacks and obstacles. If the Apaches has traveled back to Europe in the 15th century and immigrated around the world, even as slave labor - they would likely be a much larger political power in America today.

jackson g · Answer

I think I know why you never get any answers, because who the hell whats to read all that? I don't know much about israel, but the native americans were definitely wronged and deserve something in restitution, but since only a small number of them are still around and all of the ones who actually wronged them are dead, I'd say taking back the whole continent is impossible. If thats not what your looking for then you should work on your summaries. As if I'm gonna read your whole da*n novel.

Wiininiskwe *Ajidamoon* · Answer

I didn't read a thing that you wrote up there.....Frankly because I couldn't care less what happens to that chunk of land in the Middle East, nor who ends up with it. 

I just stopped by to inform you that Natives Americans are NOT interested in claiming North America. Why would we want it back after its been marred by ugly concrete cities, polluted and raped of its natural resources? We just want to be left alone to control the lands we do hold without ridiculous sanctions, restrictions and red tape. 

Nothing about what is going on in the Middle East is even remotely comparable to our struggles, needs and issues here.

Jacque C · Answer

they can if they want to. if they can establish their government and  are able to fight to keep their authority intact, then i suppose there would be no choice but to respect their ownership of it.

Trending News

If jews can claim Israel, then why can't native americans claim the American continent?

12 Answers