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| Praying at Joseph's Tomb - Shechem - Nablus |
No other nation is privileged to have retained such a well preserved written record and language as that of the Jewish people. Its Torah (Bible) records its story, as transcribed by Moses some 3400 years ago documenting the historical and legal whilst retaining the mystical construct that predated its authorship. At a minimum it records the continual practices by at least the ancestral Levite priests who to this very day carry forward rituals through their family lineage. During Passover and each of the past 3400 years these direct ancestors of Moses and his brother Aharon, Israel's first high priest, have participated in annual religious services to bestow blessing upon the world.
In the period that followed ancient Israel's exodus and those that fled Egypt, the self described chosen people undertook the difficult task building their national commitment to a closer, unified, monotheistic state through common customs, practices and religious belief. Their initiation lasted 40 years until all males who were over 20 years at the exodus had passed on. Other than leaders Joshua and Caleb no other male remnants were permitted to enter the permanent land of Israel.
The fledgling nation crossed over the Jordan River first making their way to the city of Shechem (modern Nablus), in the land that was once occupied by Kanaan a nephew of Egypt’s founder Ham. This was Israel’s northern entry point where some 300 years prior, Jacob (who adopted his name Israel) had once settled. At that time his sons led by Levi and Shimeon, in almost premeditated preparation for their future nations arrival, massacred the Prince of Shechem and his kingdoms 24000 male adult inhabitants, a revenge act for his rape of their sister. It was also the location Joseph was sold by his brothers before being transported as a slave on a caravan to Egypt. On arrival from Egypt the new nation Israel buried Joseph’s bones that they had carried on their journey.
One would expect such well documented history to sufficiently establish an indigenous entitlement of a people to its land, however the the modern narrative of Nablus is arguably the world’s greatest imperial fraud and ongoing denial. Notwithstanding, the depth of Israel’s connection to Shechem, its enemies hate every undeniable historical fact for fear that exposure will overturn their ambit Nablus claim. Whilst most cannot reconcile detailed matters already past, the dynamic digital era assists. But, writers and editors who painstakingly recall the past, re-write it to suit their insurgent desires and no more so than @Wikipedia.
In Wikipedia’s world, rules of editorial engagement are defined in an effort to promote accurate representation, but the abuse and misuse by the commons is common. The editorial prize in a popular or politically charged subject like Nablus ensures attention by editors who manipulate the truth to meet the ideological demands of their peers and benefits come quickly to those who succeed. Editorial support aggregates to the ideological victor who receives commendation for their targeted editorial contribution and participation. The ideologically charged Nablus narrative is evident in its Wikipedia page, supported by its primary editor Al Ameer son. This editor has been awarded no less than 20 awards from his fellow contributors, he is a member of the ‘Early Muslim Military History Task Force’ and helped promote Yasser Arafat to Featured Article status.
Like Emperor Hadrian's Roman name Syria-Palestina that replaced Judea, editorial defenders of Wikipedia’s Nablus narrative open their article with this disclaimer; “This article is about the city of Nablus in the northern West Bank, and its predecessor, the Roman city of Flavia Neapolis. For the biblical city of Shechem, at the same location, see Shechem.” From here on the authors deny Shechem a place in their Nablus narrative, suppressing its Biblical and archaeological importance, in order to deliver the indoctrination of Roman origin. The Wikipedia narrative denies the city its Israelite origin and promotes the perpetual suffering their denial imposes.
Joseph’s Tomb and its Torah inscribed twin mountain backdrop are fundamental to Israel’s connection to its land. Wikipedia’s Shechem entry describes the 2000 year history preceding its Roman occupation, connecting it to the Egyptian archaeological record when events catalyzed the unification of Israel’s tribes out of which the modern Israeli nation grew. Shechem, after whom the city was named, raped Joseph’s same age sister Dinah to whom daughter Asenath was born and who, many years later, with permission from Egypt’s Pharaoh married Joseph. The marriage of Joseph (by mother Rachel) and Asenath (by Rachel’s sister Leah's daughter Dinah), unified Israel’s matriarch’s, and made Shechem Joseph’s father-in-law, another aboriginal fact the Nablus editors ignore.
Whilst displacement of a city’s narrative denies its history, it also serves those affected to strengthen their ancient tribal connection against the growing weight of public opinion. This is the common trait of natives displaced in South Africa, North America and Australia and is not uncharacteristic of the rights of Israelis to their origin city in the land they first occupied. The Israelite people are so deeply rooted in their land, there is no place some ambit historical claim can deny them. Therefore, its enemies defer to deceit and denial in order to defend their occupation of Israel’s land and to continue the exile of its people.
Its time Jews the world over realize their rights, the same rights those that exile them afford to themselves and others. The time for applying double standards to Israel has finally passed over, exiled, banished forever and modern technology is playing its part!
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