This article on Judah (Judea in Roman) not only provides a brief history but also tries to trace its journey so far. It also provides a bird’s-eye view of the politics of Israel, Palestine, the West Bank, and Gaza, the notorious 4. Notwithstanding the recent senate bill introduced by US Senator Tom Cotton to eliminate the use of the term West Bank (Palestine region) but use “Judea and Sumaria” in its place a couple of days ago, the region will always remain a region that inspires us of the human spirit and grit.
If the bill gets enacted, the USA would remove all references to the the West Bank from government documents. This region needs serious look-into by international bodies. Human lives are lost, and those that live suffer neverendingly.
Table of Contents
Perspective and the reason for this article
Every country or region has its status and importance due to its strategic location, natural resources, political power, technology, human capital, market potential, extremist activities, or poverty. All countries are part of the fabric of the global village and contribute in some form to the world economy. Due to its strategic location and resources, the Middle East has always been a strife and military tension region. At the same time, it is a critical geopolitically dynamic region.
It has the hawk eye of many powerful nations of the world for several reasons,
- Because of its Geographical Location
- It bridges Asia/Europe/Africa.
- Major shipping routes, such as the Suez Canal and the Straight of Hormuz, which are vital for global trade, are present here.
- Energy Resource
Largest oil and natural gas reserve, major source, and global dependence.
- Religious influence
- Jerusalem’s Western Wall; holy site for Jews.
- Al-Aqsa Mosque: Holy site for Muslims
- Church of Holy Sepulcher: holy site for Christians.
- Temple Mount and Hebron are contentious for both Judaism and Islam.
- Global economic interest
We are seeing a heightened warlike situation in recent times. The ISIS have been in the news for all the wrong reasons. In contrast, the Maditararien coast has been seeing different dynamics. The meat of this article will thus be about a specific region, which used to be called ‘Palestine’ in ancient times and today is the hotbed of confusion and constant conflict, human rights, and the loss of innumerable innocent lives. (The Israel-Hamas-Hezbollah conflict.)
Short History of Judah—’Palestine’.
In Biblical times (dating back as far as 930–586 BCE), today’s West Bank region, where Palestine resides, was termed Judea-Kingdom of Judah (Southern Part of West Bank) and Samaria-Kingdom of Israel (Northern Part of West Bank). Israel declared the West Bank region as the “Judea and Samaria region” in 1967 and has been formally using it since then. PS: Ten Lost Tribes.
Politically, before 1947, the State of Israel (as a suzerainty) was not on the world map; that region was a single piece of land that used to be called Palestine. Today, it is a splintered land, and we have Israel, the Gaza Strip, the West Bank (current-day Palestine), and the contentious Jerusalem. These are the famous four on which this article attempts to shed light.
However, many experts express that religious diversity is the primary reason for these splits. While it has an Arab/Persian, Turkish/Jewish, and Kurdish population, it is predominantly Muslim. Many major civilisations have influenced this region; today, the richness of those somehow seems lost in antiquity.
- Egyptians
- Canaanites
- Babylonians
- Israelites
- Philistines
- Romans
This region was the bowl of innovations and discoveries, but today we see a nonstop deluge of destruction.
Series of Occupations
The Middle East and the West have experienced constant strife, which now seems never-ending. After the Romans and Byzantines, it was the turn of the Arab Muslims in the 7th century. This region was then called Syria Palestina. Then came the Crusades and Ottomans. The British were the last of them, leaving the region in a delicate balance, which has not stabilised to this day.
Present day: The State of Israel (Kingdom of Sumaria)
In 1948, the formation of the State of Israel took place and thus began the never-ending wars in this region that we are seeing. To this day, Aliyah, which signifies spiritual elevation and returning to the Holy Land of Jews, is still happening worldwide, including in Russia and Ethiopia.
Wars of Independent Israel
It isn’t easy to fathom human desire and endurance. Arabs invaded Israel the very next day it was formed, in disagreement with the UN resolution and the British mandate, which proposed independent land to the Jews. Again, the 6-day war of 1967 resulted in Israel taking control of:
- West Bank (from Jordanians)
- Gaza Strip and the Sinai Peninsula (from Egyptians)
- Golan Heights (from Syrians)
- East Jerusalem
Internationally, these are considered illegal. So, today, the State of Israel consists of the following:
- Israel
- West Bank (Major portions under Jewish control)
- Gaza Strip (Evacuated, but Jews control airspace and borders)
- Golan Heights (Israeli occupation)
- Jerusalem (complete control)
Present day: State of Palestine (Kingdom of Judah)
As can be noted, PA does not have complete control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. Still, as per the UN resolution of 2012, the State of Palestine is recognised within the borders of 1967, though Israel has considerable control over these areas.
Present day: The West Bank
The plight of the Arabs on this small piece of land is unfathomable. The West Bank region, as originally planned by the UN in 1947, has never witnessed peace. A few areas of the West Bank are under the PA rule. Significant portions are either fully or partially under Israeli military or civilian occupation.
Present day: The Gaza Strip
Due to Israel’s strict control over airspace and boundaries and imposed restrictions on the movement of goods and infrastructural developments, this region has fallen like a deserted land.
In October last year, in retaliation to the atrocities inflicted on the Palestinians in the Gaza strip, the Hamas, in a daring act, abducted several Israeli nationals from inside Israel. Creating a war-like situation that is raging to this day. It has been more than a year without signs of respite.
Present Day: Jerusalem
Jerusalem is the most contentious issue in this Israel-Palestine conflict. It was in 1967 that Ben Gurion, the then Prime Minister of Israel, declared it the eternal capital of Israel. To this day, it is Israel’s capital, though the Palestinians hold East Jerusalem as the capital of their much desired and hoped-for state.
The map of Jerusalem above graphically captures the religious context and one of the primary reasons for the ongoing conflict.
Conclusion.
The recent American usage of Judea and Sumaria resurfaced during the new term of the Trump government. The previous Trump administration is when it gained traction and signals alignment with Israeli narratives. Importantly, it is an indirect support to Israeli settlement activities in the West Bank.
Even after reducing the grand history of this region from nearly 5000 years to a few paragraphs, it is still so complex that it will need to be referred to scholarly documents. While there is still more to it than what meets the eye, it is enough if we can empathise and do what we can to avoid this. The tragedy and plight of the people of this region—those in the past, the present, and most importantly, the children of today—are unimaginable.
“What’s in a Name?” one may ask. Everything, from religion to politics and motherland, says the Israelis. Judah and Sumaria, together, are the Fatherland for the Jews.
