CLAIM 1: “Jesus was a Palestinian”
BIBLICAL FACT:
Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea (Matthew 2:1), a Jew, from the tribe of Judah (Hebrews 7:14), a descendant of King David (Luke 1:32; Romans 1:3).
“He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.” – John 1:11
“Salvation is from the Jews.” – John 4:22
HISTORICAL FACT:
The term “Palestine” wasn’t widely used until after 135 AD, when Roman Emperor Hadrian renamed Judea as “Syria Palaestina” to insult the Jews after the Bar Kokhba revolt.
Therefore, Jesus (born ~4 BC) could never have been called “Palestinian” in any sense.
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CLAIM 2: “Abraham’s descendants are Palestinians, not Jews”
BIBLICAL FACT:
God said Abraham’s chosen seed would come through Isaac, not Ishmael:
“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” – Genesis 21:12
Then through Jacob (renamed Israel), not Esau:
“I am the LORD… the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring.” – Genesis 28:13
So while Arabs may descend from Abraham through Ishmael, the covenantal promises, including the land, Messiah, and blessings, pass through Isaac → Jacob (Israel).
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CLAIM 3: “Palestinians are the real Israelites”
MYTH DEBUNKED:
Modern Palestinians are mostly Arab-speaking peoples, many with origins in neighboring nations (Egypt, Syria, Jordan) who migrated in the 19th–20th centuries.
Even Yasser Arafat was born in Cairo, Egypt.
Historical records from Ottoman and British sources show that Palestine was sparsely populated until the Zionist immigration waves.
“The land was desolate and laid waste…” – Mark Twain, The Innocents Abroad, 1867
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JESUS’ JEWISH IDENTITY:
Jesus’ genealogy in Matthew 1 and Luke 3 directly ties Him to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and David.
“He will reign over the house of Jacob forever.” – Luke 1:33
“It is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah.” – Hebrews 7:14
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The idea that “Jesus was Palestinian” is a modern political revision, not historical truth. It’s part of a broader replacement narrative to erase Jewish identity and delegitimize Israel’s covenantal claims—which the Bible refutes at every turn.
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