Article in The Times of Israel by Andy Blumenthal: Since October 7, it has become almost a daily chorus by Hamas and their supporters around the world condemning Israel for “occupation.” However, if you really examine the facts, it becomes clear that the word occupation is nothing more than propaganda and a tool of radical Islam for hate, intifada, jihad, and terrorism.

1. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 1/8
THE BLOGS
Andy Blumenthal
Leadership With Heart
The Occupation Game
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2. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 2/8
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Since October 7, it has become almost a daily chorus by Hamas and their
supporters around the world condemning Israel for “occupation.” However, if
you really examine the facts, it becomes clear that the word occupation is
nothing more than propaganda and a tool of radical Islam for hate, intifada,
jihad, and terrorism.
The Victimhood Scam
What is the chief complaint of the Palestinians?
That Israel is occupying their land.
What is the goal of the Palestinians?
To occupy all of Israel (“From the River to the Sea”).
What is the strategy of the Palestinians?

3. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 3/8
To say that Israel is occupying them and to “resist by any means necessary.”
Has Palestine ever been its own state?
No, there was never a Palestinian state. In 1917, the British conquered Palestine
from the Ottomans. During the British Mandate, the Jews lawfully purchased
considerable amounts of land. In 1948, when the British left, the Palestinians
rejected statehood offered by the United Nations, and instead the Arabs
attacked Israel, at which time the West Bank was conquered by Jordan and Gaza
was conquered by Egypt. In 1967, Israel won the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan
Heights in a war of self-defense.
Why have the Palestinians rejected a state?
Because, despite the United Nations’ partition in 1947 (“to create two states for
two peoples”), the Palestinians categorically rejected living side-by-side in
peace with Israel (i.e., Jews), even if it meant a state of their own. In fact, the
Arab League’s Khartoum Resolution declared the “Three No’s:” no peace with
Israel, no recognition of Israel, no negotiations with Israel.
Why does radical Islam hate Israel and the United States?
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4. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 4/8
Israel (“Little Satan”) and the U.S. (“Great Satan”) represent a world view that is
contrary to a radical Islamic quest for a global caliphate and Sharia law, as Iran,
Al Qaeda, ISIS, and other extremists have espoused.
Definition of Terms
Who are indigenous people?
Indigenous people are those who have been inhabiting a land since the earliest
of times.
What is the occupation?
Anyone who forcibly controls a land rightfully belonging to others.
The World History of Occupations
What are some of the major colonial occupations throughout history?
Every empire throughout history involved a forceful occupation of other
people’s land, and this includes: Egyptian, Assyrian, Babylonian, Persian, Greek,
Byzantine, Holy Roman, Muslim Caliphate, Mongols, Mughals, Zhou, Han, Ming,
and Qing, Ottoman, Nazi Germany, British Colonial, and Soviet Union.
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5. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 5/8
What are some historical examples of Islamic conquest and occupation?
Radical Islam, from its beginnings in the 7th century, has been involved in
conquest and occupation from the Arabian Peninsula to Syria, Palestine, Egypt,
Mesopotamia, Persia, North Africa, Spain, Pakistan, and so on. This has
continued through most recent times with Iran’s pursuit of the “bomb” and the
establishment of a new caliphate.
How many countries do the Muslims have?
There are 22 Arab countries covering over 5 million square miles and there are
57 Muslim identified nations in the world as represented in the Organization for
Islamic Cooperation (OIC): Afghanistan, Albania, Azerbaijan, Bahrain,
Bangladesh, Benin, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Brunei Darussalam,
Burkina Faso, Algeria, Djibouti, Chad, Indonesia, Morocco, Cote d’Ivoire,
Palestine, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Iraq, Iran, Cameroon,
Qatar, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Comoros, Kuwait, Libya, Lebanon, Maldives,
Malaysia, Mali, Egypt, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Uzbekistan,
Pakistan, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somali, Sudan, Surinam, Syria*, Saudi Arabia,
Tajikistan, Togo, Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Oman, Jordan, Yemen.
Why won’t Arabs recognize the one Jewish State of Israel?
Many Muslims consider that Islam renders Judaism obsolete, and the very
existence of Israel living in their midst is a theological affront to them.
The Legitimate Claim to the Land of Israel
How large is Israel?
About 8,500 square miles—less than .2% of the Arab lands.
Who did G-d promise the land of Israel to?

6. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 6/8
The Jewish people.
Who are the oldest living native people of the land of Israel?
These are the ancient Israelites from 3,800 years ago, beginning with the
forefathers Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their descendants.
What is one of the core prayers that Jews say three times a day?
Blessed are You, L-rd, who blesses His people Israel with peace.
Who is legitimately living in Israel?
The Jewish people.
The Real Occupation
Who wants to occupy Israel today?
The Palestinians.

7. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 7/8
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Andy Blumenthal is a dynamic, award-winning leader who writes frequently about Jewish life,
culture, and security. All opinions are his own.
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8. 3/31/24, 8:10 AM The Occupation Game | Andy Blumenthal | The Blogs
https://blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-occupation-game/ 8/8
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