Joy, my apologies. As you summarize, there is certainly more of the story to tell. I would venture confidently to agree with you that for millennia, there is no place in the world where there were not congregations of people living together ("settled communities," as you restate it). And I have no doubt that the "middle east" contained them, and impressive cities, too. Part of the issue might be the definition of "Palestinians." Or "Palestine." I don't know what Judea and Samaria were before they were Judea and Samaria, but at some point, they became "Palestine." If you want to scold me for not looking this up before I shoot my mouth off, I'll plead guilty.

At any rate, the entire middle east was recertified after WWI. Countries were renamed, and boundaries redrawn. As best I understand it, that's what the Arabs have against the "west." And Arabs/"Palestinians" never had a problem with Jews until the west not only destroyed the system that was the middle east, but gave part of what was then "Palestine" to the Jews, and called it Israel. There are many people who say Jews/Israelis and Palestinians never had a problem getting along well until the past 70 years.

So once again, "everybody hates the Jews." It's not possible, if you're being honest and responsible, not to wonder about that.

Jackie Mason was a comedian who had originally intended to be a rabbi. And a number of his jokes made fun of how demanding and impossible the Jews are.

I don't not support Zionism. I don't support antiPalestinianism. And the Israelis have taken that tack as a theme. So I'm opposed to them for mistreating Palestinians, or anyone else. I'm not opposed to them for wanting peace, if they do, which they might not. Which is why I said maybe the larger consideration is if there's something wrong with Jews, and if antiSemitism is not as uncalled for as many people say it is. For what it's worth, it should also be noted that the OT "god" was vicious, destructive, and punitive. The NT "god" is very different.