The problem Israel faces is that its narrative contradicts the Islamic narrative. And, if those lines of debate were clearly and honestly drawn, Israel would be in good shape. Unfortunately, the current battle lines follow neither historical fact, nor archaeological evidence, nor even the logical self interest of the Christian community.
The historical time line of Israel, or Palestine, if you prefer was sketched out nicely by the curators of the Tower of David Museum (a must see). It goes as follows:
-3,300 to -1,006 C.E. The Canaanite Period (2,294 years, give or take a few)
-1,006 to -586 C.E. The Israelite Period, or First Temple Period (420 years)
Then block out 48 years for the Babylonian Exile
-538 to -332 CE. The Persian Period (206 years)
With -515 CE marking the Return to Zion and the beginning of
The Second Temple Period.
-332 to -63 CE. The Hellenistic Period (269 years)
-63 CE to 324 AD The Roman Period (387 years) The Second Temple period
ends with its destruction in 70 AD. It lasted over 400 years.
324 AD to 638 AD The Byzantine Period (314 years) The period covering
the period when Rome practiced Christianity.
638 AD to 1099 AD The Early Muslim Period (461 years)
1099 AD to 1260 AD The Crusader Period (161 years)
1260 AD to 1517 AD The Mameluke Period (257 years)
1517 AD to 1917 The Ottoman Period (400 years)
1917 to 1948 The British Mandate (31 years)
1948 til now (2010) The State of Israel (62 years and counting)
Everyone knows of the governance of this area under the Israelites, the Greeks, the Romans, the Christian Romans, the Muslims, the Crusaders, the Muslims (again), the British and the Israelis. But what of cultural contributions made by these various people unique to this area? For the Muslims there is little beyond the Al-Aqsa Mosque, a monument that commemorates Islamic triumphalism.
Islam begins with Muhammad, born in 570 AD. That's 246 years into the Byzantine period, or roughly 570 years after the birth of Christ. Be that as it may, the Muslims proved themselves to be great warriors. They had learned to use the deserts as effectively as the Vikings used the seas. This ability enabled them to spread Islam west and north, gaining control over lands from the Balkans, and down and around the Mediterranean, to Morocco and then up through Spain.
As their governance over conquered lands matured, they made significant cultural contributions in cities stretching from Toledo to Cairo to Baghdad and beyond. But, somehow, The territory, renamed "Philistina" by the Romans, was overlooked when it came to culture. No great Islamic schools or libraries can be found in this place.
By way of contrast, Israelite archaeological markers in terms of coins, tableware, and architecture are to found in relative abundance. What markers or signs are there of Islamic culture? Well there are mosques and, then, there are mosques. Perhaps the grandest is the Al Aqsa Mosque built by Suleiman the Magnificent. But, with all due respect, that's simply a monument to a mythic Islamic tale of Muhammad flying from Mecca to the Temple Mount on a magical horse having the head of a woman. (Dr. Freud, how would you interpret that one?) From there, he arises on his horse and flies off to heaven where he meets Abraham and goodness knows how many other great people. Remarkable.
I don't mean to single out Muhammad's great leap into the heavens for ridicule. The Torah and the New Testament present some equally improbable narratives. But, the Islamic narrative must, of necessity, follow behind that of the Jews and that of the Christians by more generations than can realistically be traced. And, even if we were to accept all myths equally, where is the archaeological evidence for self rule by "Palestinians" in this area?
That the area was not considered a viable location for any sort of civic center by the Ottomans comes as little surprise. The mosquitoes that infested the marshes made sickness among those who lived there almost inevitable. The desolation that had descended on this land is described fairly vividly in the notes of Mark Twain of his travels through the Holy Lands. It was the Jews from Europe, who later turned Israel into something green and productive.
But, where is the support that should be coming from non-Jewish archaeologists. And, how did Israeli leaders ever give the Wafq the right to dig under the Temple Mount mosque. By Islamic standards of behavior, the Islamic structures on the Temple Mound should have been torn down. But that is not the way of Israel. But, by what right are Muslims allowed to dig under their mosque and disturb soil that contains evidence of ancient Jewish culture?
And, today, 10/29/10, in a piece by the Ass. Press and DPA, I read where a UNESCO board adopted five proposals regarding sites considered holy to both Jews and Muslims. In essence what is proposed is that these sites may not be disturbed by Israel for purposes of uncovering their archaeological history. These sites include Abraham's tomb, the Western Wall, and Rachel's Tomb. When one compares how these sites are administered today by Israel with how they were administered by Muslims when under Jordanian rule one is overwhelmed by the outrageous hypocrisy of the UN.
