Have the Jews historically faced religious and cultural exploitation and persecution?
"Anti-semitism, historical discrimination against the Jews, who drove the Jews out of the middle-east in pre-medieval times, all these are peripheral issues. The fact is, the Jews decided one fine day that they will go reclaim the land that god promised them. Even though millions of Palestinians were living there. Europe's liability towards the Jews cannot be discharged by giving them land in the middle east which Europe does not own." (Carvaka)
"http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arab_Jews. In the early 20th century, there were a million Jews spread across today's Arab countries... most of them have emigrated to Israel / Europe / the US since." (Carvaka)
http://forums.sulekha.com/forums/coffeehouse/look-at-what-is-front-web-page-news-in-the-times-today-970167.htm
Response:
In seems the Jews have historically faced serious religious and cultural exploitation and persecution from others, thus keeping their numbers very low in comparison to other religions originating later in the same area (Middle East). For example, the Jewish religion (Judaism) has been there for more than 3300 years (since 1300 BC) but there are only about 12 million Jews around the world now, whereas the Christianity (which is less than 2000 yrs. old, since first century AD) and the Islam (less than 1300 yrs. old, since seventh century AD) now have about 2500 million Christians and 1800 million Muslims.
Moreover, it seems, as implied in the above thread, the Jews cannot claim to have any right (religious or divine especially) for a land etc. for themselves, whereas the Christians and Muslims go around claiming special rights (including divine and religious) for converting other people (sometimes even by spreading misinformation or by offering inducements or forcibly) thus increasing their numbers, leading to owning of other and newer territories and even declaring them exclusive to themselves religiously and as a part of their own holy land and empire.
Incidentally, in spite of such tragic past, full of trials and tribulations -- even as recently as the twentieth century ("UK, US knew of Hitler's Holocaust plan: Vatican" :
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/news/world/uk/UK-US-knew-of-Hitlers-Holocaust-plan-Vatican/articleshow/4904413.cms ) -- the Jews have now found a political identity and voice for themselves, in Israel. Moreover, they have demonstrated that as the adherents of one of the oldest religions in the world, especially originating in the Middle East, they are able to achieve a very vibrant and progressive political system based on democratic principles and keeping pace with the times. Their success in other areas, e.g. science, technology, medicine and agriculture etc., is equally astonishing.
- Seva (Subhash C. Sharma)
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