The film, Exodus,staring Paul Newman and Eva Marie Saint, was release in 1960. None of the key people were Jewish (Newman’s father was Jewish) by the way with the exception of the themes composer, Ernest Gold.   I was 15 at the time and remember it well. It had a profound impact on me then and influenced my life solidifying my Zionist feelings.  But I also think it had a profound influence on the evolution of the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in in particular with the group commonly referred to as Christian Zionist. The lyrics were written by Pat Boone, a gospel and evangelist singer.   T It was played by a piano duo Ferrante & Teicher.

The settlement movement in Israel has been largely supported by Christen Zionists.  Christians United for Israel (CUFI) has as much or more influence on congress than American Israel Public Affairs Committee (APAC).  

As I have recently written, I believe much of the political turmoil  in Israel has to do with the intention of the extreme right to annex much of the West Bank.  The West Bank contains the ancient areas of Judah and Samaria.  A large number of Israel’s do believe that God gave this land to the Jews.  In the Partitioning  of the State of Israel, this land was given to the Palestinians, wrongly in the view of many Israelis.

Today, I tried to envision a scenario that would resolve the political situation in Israel.   I imagined that the agreement currently being negotiated by the USA with Saudi Arabia and which could result in a peace treaty between Israel and Saudi Arabia that would require the creation of a Palestinian State.  The extreme Israeli right would not agree to this and leave the government. Nethanyhu would see this as the culmination of his life work. Rather than ending his career as the man that distroyed Israel, he would be seen as a hero.Nethanyhu would have to form a unity government with the opposition with the support of Ganz and perhaps Lapid.  There would most likely have to be some way of ending the trial of Netanyahu for him to agree.  I

So in thinking about this, the Theme Song of Exodus came to mine. While this song does not reflect the views of the majority of Israelis who are largely secular, it does reflect the views of many who feel strongly about the making the west bank part of the State of Israel. They will not be easily defeated.

Theme Song from the Film Exodus

by Pat Boone

This land is mine

God gave this land to me

This brave and ancient land to me

And when the morning sun

Reveals her hills and plains

Then I see a land

Where children can run free

So take my hand

And walk this land with me

And walk this lovely land with me

Though I am just a man

When you are by my side

With the help of God

I know I can be strong

Though I am just a man

When you are by my side

With the help of God

I know I can be strong

To make this land our home

If I must fight, I’ll fight

To make this land our own

Until I die, this land is mine