The idea of expelling Arabs to other countries was once linked to Meir Kahane and other far-right radicals, and thus considered anathema by most Israelis. Now, to the delight of right-wingers, the idea is gaining traction as a ‘moral' solution to the war.
What good man would prefer a country covered with forests and ranged by a few thousand savages to our extensive Republic, studded with cities, towns, and prosperous farms, embellished with all the improvements which art can devise or industry execute, occupied by more than 12,000,000 happy people, and filled with all the blessings of liberty, civilization, and religion?
US President Andrew Jackson, talking about the Indian Removal Act of 1830
According to historian H. W. Brands, Jackson sincerely believed that his population transfer was a “wise and humane policy” that would save the Native Americans from “utter annihilation”. Jackson portrayed the removal as a generous act of mercy.[34]
According to Robert M. Keeton, proponents of the bill used biblical narratives to justify the forced resettlement of Native Americans.[35]
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