Myth: Zionism is racism
FACT: Zionism is the national liberation movement of the Jewish people that calls for the return to the Jewish people’s indigenous homeland of the land of Israel. Zionism is...
Since its re-establishment in 1948, Israel’s opponents have consistently strived to isolate the world’s sole Jewish State. Their efforts often extend to the entire Jewish community, attempting to make them accountable for decisions made by a democratically elected government of a nation roughly the size of Nova Scotia. While some may harbour a deep-seated hatred of Jews – an issue in itself – others might simply lack information. Either way, this Jew-hate or antipathy risks tragic repercussions for Jewish communities everywhere, for all Israeli civilians, and for countries holding dear the values of democracy, tolerance, and inclusion.
The Israel-Palestinian conflict is indeed complex and generates conflicting narratives. The objective of Myths and Facts is to equip people with the information needed to participate in informed discussions leading to reasonable judgments. Because media headlines and social media posts frequently omit the broader context, we have worked to fill that in by debunking some of the most common misconceptions – or myths – surrounding the conflict and highlighting the historic bond between the Jewish people and the land of Israel.
Myths and Facts:
Myth: If it were not for Israel, Jews and Arabs would live in peace and harmony in the Middle East
FACT: Arab violence and terror against Jews predate the founding of the modern State of Israel. Tensions between Arabs and Jews started long before the creation of the modern State...
The Palestinians have never had the opportunity to establish their own state
FACT: The Palestinians have repeatedly rejected the chance of establishing their own state. Several times, from 1936 to the 21st century, Arab and Palestinian leaders were offered a state...
Myth: Israel is committing genocide and ethnic cleansing against the Palestinians
FACT: The Palestinian population has grown dramatically since the establishment of the State of Israel, and Israel’s military actions by no means constitute crimes against humanity. Genocide is an...
Myth: The phrase “globalize the Intifada” is not a call for violence
FACT: Calls to “Globalize the Intifada” are intended to incite violence against Jews and Israelis. In the context of the Israel-Palestinian conflict, an “Intifada” implies bloody violence and calls...
Myth: The security barrier and checkpoints are intended to suppress Palestinians
FACT: As does every country, Israel has the right to enact security measures to protect its citizens from terrorists. As a result of the deadly Second Intifada in 2000,...
Myth: Israel is an “apartheid state”
FACT: Israel’s founding document, which it upholds, the Declaration of Independence, states that all citizens are equal regardless of “religion, race or sex.” Israel is not an “apartheid state.”...
Myth: Israel’s treatment of Palestinians is comparable to the Nazis’ treatment of Jews during the Holocaust
FACT: Fact: Comparisons of Israelis to Nazis and Palestinians to victims of the Holocaust are distortions of history. There is no legitimate comparison between the Holocaust and Israel-Palestinian conflict. ...
Myth: BDS is a peaceful movement
FACT: BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) campaigns do nothing to promote peace, and they harm efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians closer together. Attempts to isolate Israel diplomatically or...
Myth: Palestinian terrorism is a justified response to the conditions Israel has imposed on Palestinians
FACT: Terrorism is never justified and undermines efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict. Regardless of the perpetrator, terrorism – the use of violence deliberately directed against...
Myth: The only solution to the conflict is “a one-state solution.”
FACT: Only a negotiated two-state solution, negotiated by the parties to the conflict, can serve as the basis for a just and sustainable peace between Israelis and Palestinians. While...
Myth: The Temple Mount belongs only to the Palestinians. Jews only visit it to provoke Palestinians
FACT: The Temple Mount is the holiest site in Judaism. The Temple Mount, known in Hebrew as Har Habayit, is where the Jewish Temples stood and is the holiest...
Myth: The Jewish people are white settler colonialists who have no connection to the land of Israel
FACT: The Jewish people have a 3,000-year-old connection to the land of Israel. The Jewish people are indigenous to the land of Israel. Even during periods of mass exile,...