A series where I use history to debunk common misconceptions about the Middle East conflict.
The following report appeared in JTA on March 16th 1923:
Arab extremists are waging their fight against things Jewish even to the point of refusing the use of electricity derived from a “Jewish” station.
The Jaffa municipality has decided to stick to the old hand, foot and horse power rather than utilize any of the electrical power derived from the Buttenberg station at the Auja.
Efforts by the government to convince the Arabs that electricity was neutral and knew no politics proved unavailing.
There is a mistake in this report – it should read “Rutenberg station,” named after Pinhas Rutenberg, who built the electric grid.
But that is not the point of this post. My main point is to point out how the propensity of Arabs living here to cut off their nose to spite their face is not a recent phenomenon at all, and predates the establishment of the modern state of Israel.
Consider also how this report is another example how the Jews brought with them innovation and progress. I am sure today’s wokesters would love to cancel me for writing that, but it is simply true. Just ask the New York Times.
Found via Reddit.