The Broader Push to Rewrite History

A summary and selection from an article first posted at https://www.al-akhbar.com/Culture_People/387633

I recently read a novel where the story was built around certain characters. The archeological details however were correct (as correct as possible) and the characterization of the story was built around these factual archeological digs. The focus of this novel was factually that the old testamentic stories about the Israelites that many of us grew up with, have no basis in any archeologal investigations. This was interesting. “You mean the story of building Solomon’s temple cannot be supported archeologically?” Yes, that is one story that was followed in my novel. The evidence is not there. I kept looking out for more and checked the Wikipedia for dates only. To my surprise I found that all the archeological work done in the various Wiki articles reference British work. There is literally not one name of one archeologist that is not Brit in the early years. Their work was very specifically done to fabricate a history of modern-day israel within the Old Testamentic Biblical strictures. They had a political point to prove and calculated erasure of history was one of the aspect chosen to prove their political point. Even the slogan chosen gave the game away. “A land without a people for a people without a land.” Most of it is fabricated folks.

This all is to support the hated Balfour Declaration. “Balfour’s promise” in Arabic, was a public pledge by Britain in 1917 declaring its aim to establish “a national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine. If one takes a look at the documents at the time, it is so very clear that there is no history of the existence of an ‘israel’ in what we have generally termed “the holy land”. The statement came in the form of a letter from Britain’s then-foreign secretary, Arthur Balfour, addressed to Lionel Walter Rothschild, a figurehead of the British Jewish community.

The late Awni Abd al-Hadi, a Palestinian political figure and nationalist, condemned the Balfour Declaration in his memoirs, saying it was made by an English foreigner who had no claim to Palestine, to a foreign Jew who had no right to it. https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2018/11/2/more-than-a-century-on-the-balfour-declaration-explained

The complete issue of recreation history out of thin air is receiving wider attention with israeli bombing of holy sites and archeologically significant structures specifically noticable in Lebanon.

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“Israel’s” assault on Palestinian heritage goes beyond fabricated archaeological narratives—it’s a systematic effort to erase history and consolidate control. Here are more key aspects of the campaign:

Looting of West Bank Antiquities

For decades, “Israel” has exploited the occupied territories’ rich archaeological sites, smuggling thousands of artifacts to build its colonial narrative. A new bill seeks to institutionalize this theft, granting extremist officials unchecked authority over-excavation and “heritage preservation” in Palestinian areas.

The Role of the Israeli Antiquities Authority

Under the guise of academic research, the Israeli Antiquities Authority frequently removes artifacts from the West Bank, exhibiting them in Israeli museums without acknowledging their Palestinian origins. This process not only strips Palestinians of their cultural history but also bolsters “Israel’s” claim to the land.

Settler-Led Excavations

Settler organizations like “Elad” are at the forefront of illegal excavations, particularly in East Jerusalem. These digs disrupt Palestinian neighborhoods, displace families, and create tourist sites glorifying biblical narratives while erasing the multicultural history of the region.

Linking Settlements to Biblical Claims

Israeli settlement expansion is increasingly tied to archaeological claims. By declaring areas with supposed biblical significance, such as Hebron or Shiloh, as part of Jewish heritage, the occupation justifies annexation and denies Palestinians access to their land.

The International Fallout

Despite warnings from Israeli archaeologists and global institutions, the government continues its unilateral moves. If the bill passes, “Israel” risks severe isolation, as cultural theft violates international conventions, including UNESCO’s protection of cultural heritage during conflicts.

These moves are not just an assault on history—they are an extension of the colonial project, reshaping the narrative to legitimize an occupation that erases Palestinian identity. The stakes go beyond antiquities; they encompass the right of a people to their past, present, and future.