Contrary to Palestinian claims to exclusivity, Jews not interlopers
License to immigrate to Land of Israel given to Joachim [Chaim] Berger in Vienna, 1921 [Ynetnews.com]
"Land of Israel" written in Hebrew on official Mandate docs [Comment posted on Ynet in regard to the document pictured.]
On the immigration papers, the words "Palestine Office" are written in Hebrew as "haMisrad Eretz haIsraeli" and "Misrad Eretz Israel". (Office of the Land of Israel). This gives the lie to the claim that Israel simply replaced or erased Palestine in 1948.
The term "Land of Israel" was a legally recognized name for Mandate Palestine, when written in the Hebrew language.
Israel was not created out of Palestine in 1948, but on the territory of the former British Mandate Palestine, which was absolutely categorically NOT a country.
The bottom line is that Israel is the only independent locally-ruled nation-state based in the Land of Israel in history. The use of the term "Palestine", which was originally only meant as a vague term for a geographical region, not a political entity, has become a by-word for denying or questioning Israel's right to exist.
Jake (06.20.08)
