Should this ancient history, interesting or inspiring as it is, matter? In the final analysis, no. Israel is justified by being a sovereign state that commands the loyalty of its citizens, not by the precedents of antiquity. Ditto for the United States and every other state, whatever the nature of its origins. History is lived forward, not back, and the goal of politics and diplomacy is to make life as livable for as many people as possible, not to re-adjudicate ancient rights or wrongs. That should be a motto for Palestinians, too, in the hopes of a future state based on something better than current grievances or past glories.

I agree, native American indians can kiss my ass. Their destiny was to be conquered by someone eventually.