Answers to Quora Questions by Yair Davidiy (9 February, 24 Shevet, 5778)
Where can I find the truth about Israeli dealings? Most of the news today demonize everything the Israeli's do..
https://www.quora.com/Where-can-I-find-the-truth-about-Israeli-dealings-Most-of-the-news-today-demonize-everything-the-Israelis-do/answer/Yair-Davidiy
The picture is of the home of a Palestinian businessman. See: Luxury Alongside Poverty in the Palestinian Authority
A lot of falsehood is spread about Israel. Some of it is the diametric opposite of the truth while the rest on occasion may have a little bit to it BIT it is then exaggerated and misinterpreted. There is so much of this that it would be a full-time occupation just to keep track of it all. After that the falsehoods need to be answered.
An overall answer against many of the slurs against Israel would be to simply quote the statistics.
There are (1) Palestinians in the State of Israel according to the pre-1967 borders.
and (2) Palestinians in the West Bank i.e. Judah and Samaria. Palestinians in no.(1) are better off than in no. (2) BUT even those in no. (2) are not doing so badly when compared to Arabs elsewhere. Palestinians in Judah and Samaria live longer than most other Arabs in Arab countries. They have a lower Infant Mortality Rate. They are healthier. They are more happy than all other Arab Peoples except for those in Algeria and Jordan.
See the excerpts below:
Do Palestinians have the lowest standard of living in the world ...
http://www.israeladvocacy.net/kn...Palestinian born today are expected reach 75 years of age. In terms of life expectancy Palestine ranks tenth out of twenty two Arab states.
There are 116 out of 224 countries in the world with a worse IMR [Infant Mortality Rate], so it seems pretty conclusive that in terms of health the Palestinians are not even close to having lowest living standards.
" according to the 2012 Happy Planet Index, which is a survey conducted by the New Economics Forum to measure happiness around the world, Palestine was the third happiest Arab country and the 30th happiest in the world. Making Palestine happier than many developed countries like the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Sweden, Australia and Canada.4
See Also the answer by Dennis Levy to the Quora Query:
We received a message from a Palestinian Living in Lebanon. He wrote that in his opinion Israel has no right to exist because of the way (he said) they treat Palestinians under Israeli jurisdiction. We intend to reply that he can say what he likes but according to statistics the Palestinians in Judah and Samara live longer, are healthier, and happier than those in Lebanon.
This is how they compare on the Happy Planet Index,
1. Algeria 52.2
2. Jordan 51.7
3. Palestine 51.2
10. Lebanon 42.9
Instead of Palestinians in Lebanon complaining about how Israel treats the Palestinians on the West Bank the Palestinians living there should be writing in on behalf of those in Lebanon.
Isaiah (NASB) 29:
17 Is it not yet just a little while
Before Lebanon will be turned into a fertile field,
And the fertile field will be considered as a forest?
18 On that day the deaf will hear words of a book,
And out of their gloom and darkness the eyes of the blind will see.19 The afflicted also will increase their gladness in the LORD,
And the needy of mankind will rejoice in the Holy One of Israel.20 For the ruthless will come to an end and the scorner will be finished,
Indeed all who are intent on doing evil will be cut off;21 Who cause a person to be indicted by a word,
And ensnare him who adjudicates at the gate,
And defraud the one in the right with meaningless arguments.22 Therefore thus says the LORD, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob:
Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now turn pale;23 But when he sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst,
They will sanctify My name;
Indeed, they will sanctify the Holy One of Jacob
And will stand in awe of the God of Israel.24 Those who err in mind will know the truth,
And those who criticize will accept instruction.