When did I ever claim that there wasn't a Jewish presence in the holy lands? I'm sure there was. There's also been a Muslim and Christian presence.
The point of my comment, was that the state of Israel is going to have a difficult time remaining viable - especially the security situation - as long as it insists on being guided by an ideology of religious specificity and exclusion.
"The whole basis of our religion is to live in the promised land"
There are 7-9 million Jews in the US - the largest Jewish population outside Israel. Are these 9 million Jews supposed to all move to Israel? Can a country as small as Israel even support that many people? Does every Jew even want to be crammed into Israel?
The fundamental problem with Zionism, is that it is detrimental to coexistence in other countries outside Israel. It glorifies the idea of 1 particular slice of society immigrating to some other promised land instead of coexisting peacefully in the one you're already in.
Fortunately, many Jews reject the more imperial-backed, militaristic aspects of the state of Israel, and I admire them for having the courage to do so. They live peacefully in the US, Australia, Canada, Europe etc. and contribute greatly to the cultures and economies where they live.
I'm sure the holy lands are sacred to Jews. They're sacred to many religions. I think the problem with Zionism - especially political Zionism - is the obsession with conquest and 'settling' of these lands while expelling others to do so and making it the domain of 1 specific/particular religion, and forcefully ensuring that that 1 religion remains a majority.
Obviously - as we can all see from the endless turmoil in the Middle East - this has been the most misguided of quests.
The fact that millions of Jews live peacefully and prosperously outside of Israel is proof that you do not need to live in Israel to have a fulfilled life.
Our calendar is based there
Cool. The one I use is based on some decree from a Pope in Rome. Does this mean Rome is my homeland? Does it grant me the right to seize, occupy and 'settle' Roman property? The Arabic numbers on my calendar are from India and Saudia Arabia. Does that make those my 'homelands'?
The whole basis of our religion is to live in the promised land.
Wasn't this the ideology behind ISIS and their Caliphate? I think this is a problem...
Who promised it to you? God? The funny thing is, God promised the Muslims and Christians all kinds of things too. So who's right?
Why can't your 'homeland' be wherever you choose to make it? Sort of like the saying: Home is where the heart is... Many Jews choose to make countries other than Israel their home.
We don’t need you or anyone else’s permission to do so.
If only that were the case... The reality is that Israel does requires a significant amount of political, financial and military aid predominately from the US to prop it up and to remain viable as a vassal state in its empire. What happens if/when that dissipates? The US taxpayer bankrolls and provides a lifeline to this 'project'.
Historically, it has required the 'permissions' and mandates of plenty of external entities: Ottomon, British, US, UN...
It is a safe haven insomuch as it is the place where we decide our fate and not subject to the whims of rulers above us
Can't the Jews living in Canada, Australia, or the US 'decide their fate' by participating in the democratic process as citizens there? Most people in the world are subject to the whims of rulers above them, including the large contingent of Israelis opposed to the government and policies of Netenyahu.
