Posted 11/12/2002 08:57:00 AM by Ocean Guy
Revisionists are succeeding in changing perceptions by re-writing some history. When bringing more light to the truth, that can be a good thing, but when the revision is accopmplished through constantly repeated lies, everyone's interests are hurt.

Joseph Farah reminds us of the often repeated lies that have led many to believe that palestinians were forced from their homes by the Jews in 1948. He also provides us with conflicting versions from surprising sources.... surprising only because of the success of Arab apologists and revisionists in convincing too many that the blame for the refugee problem lies with Israel.

Yasser Arafat may have lost some of his personal political clout of late, but the political movement he began demanding justice for Palestinian Arabs expelled from their homes in 1948 remains as strong as ever. There's just one problem. There's not the slightest historical evidence to suggest Arabs were expelled in significant numbers -- certainly not by Jews. I know this statement is going to be met with gasps, guffaws and gnashing of teeth.

Nevertheless, let me defend it, not with my own words, not with the words of Jews and Israelis, but with the words of Arabs closer to the time of the events.

''The fact that there are these refugees is the direct consequence of the act of the Arab states in opposing partition and the Jewish state. The Arab states agree upon this policy unanimously and they must share in the solution of the problem.'' Emile Ghoury, secretary of the Palestinian Arab Higher Committee, in an interview with the Beirut Telegraph Sept. 6, 1948.
''The Arab state which had encouraged the Palestine Arabs to leave their homes temporarily in order to be out of the way of the Arab invasion armies, have failed to keep their promise to help these refugees.'' The Jordanian daily newspaper Falastin, Feb. 19, 1949.

''Who brought the Palestinians to Lebanon as refugees, suffering now from the malign attitude of newspapers and communal leaders, who have neither honor nor conscience? Who brought them over in dire straits and penniless, after they lost their honor? The Arab states, and Lebanon amongst them, did it.'' The Beirut Muslim weekly Kul-Shay, Aug. 19, 1951.
''The 15th May, 1948, arrived . . . On that day the mufti of Jerusalem appealed to the Arabs of Palestine to leave the country, because the Arab armies were about to enter and fight in their stead.'' Cairo daily Akhbar el Yom, Oct. 12, 1963. Read More...