Know Your History: Jewish Revival Of ‘Palestine’ (National Geographic, Dec 1938)

series where I use history to debunk common misconceptions about the Middle East conflict.

In December 1938, before WWII and the establishment of the modern state of Israel, National Geographic ran a photo essay entitled Change Comes To Bible Lands. Besides looking at places such as Egypt and Iran at the time, it also looked at the area then known as “Palestine.”

Once again, it is a fascinating read. Note the following:

  • How the Jews transformed Tel Aviv “in a few short years from empty sands”
  • The constant references to the Jewish history of the land
  • Mention of the land as the Jewish “national home”
  • The Arab violence at the time (pre-state)

Note: I cannot provide a link to the full article since it is only available to those who have purchased a National Geographic subscription. But I have provided the screenshots. As usual, click on the screenshots to enlarge.

2 thoughts on “Know Your History: Jewish Revival Of ‘Palestine’ (National Geographic, Dec 1938)”

  1. Norman_In_New_York

    A Bible commentary from about that same time compared the revival to a prophecy by Isaiah 2,500 years ago. “For God has redeemed Zion and has comforted its waste places. He has made its wilderness like Eden and its deserts like the garden of God. Joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving and the voice of melody,” even as chalutzim sang as they worked the fields.

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