again the name was allpied as the legal name by the romans, they based it on the philistines, the greeks knew of the philistines as well, but only a millenium after there were jewish cultures in "palestine". the name israel predates any name of palestine.but this is just trying to claim we were here first. if that was the arguement then the english should give their land back to the welsh and north americans should give it back to natives--not bad ideas but impracticle.

i remind people that there have always been jews in "palestine" from the beginning of history, to deny this is falling into an ideolocial and racist trap. settlement isn't going to come by demonizing any side. palestinians are baddly treated and should have a recognized state. however that doen't mean any right thinking socialist or other progressive should support the policies of that state if they ignore the most basis human rights. this is a part of the world ethniclly cleansed many times, including by palestinians in the past, and they are now doing it to their own bedouin and christian population.

to leave things alone means to me for america to stop funding israel and every body else stop funding palestine and they would then stop being a political football and would probablyb reach accomidations with each other. i believe that process starts with progressives geting off the palestinian band wagon. they shouldn't support israel either.

and really stop the dumb arguements about who was nere first. no one is leaving because they weren't there irst no matter who you think was there first, however they do have to live together in war or peace. if you support peace then demonizing one side with "historical" arguements is supporting fascists thinking