"Borderless Israel – A Country Divided" – this book was long out of print, but due to high demand, it has now been republished by "Christians for Israel." Since the founding of the State of Israel, its borders have been fiercely contested – and this remains the case today. In their book, authors Heinz Reusch and Johannes Gerloff use maps to guide readers through Israel's recent history. They examine the development of the borders from Ottoman rule in the nineteenth century to the current situation, also drawing on biblical sources.
In 31 chapters, the authors examine topics such as "The 'Aliyah' of the 1930s," "Arab Immigration," and "Israel's Settlements in Judea and Samaria." They explain the impact of the various wars since Israel's founding in 1948 on the course of its borders. One chapter clarifies "The 1949 Armistice Lines." While the Arab world at the time insisted that these armistice lines not be recognized as borders under any circumstances, they are now often referred to in many media outlets and by government officials as the "1967 borders.".
Colorful and well-labeled maps illustrate the founding of Jewish communities from 1860 onward. Furthermore, the authors provide an overview of population development and examine the major waves of immigration.
"Wall" or "fence"?
One chapter is dedicated to the "anti-terror fence," the internationally controversial structure with which Israel attempts to protect itself from Palestinian terrorists. Reusch and Gerloff point out that Israel views the fence as a temporary measure against terrorism, not as a border demarcation. They explain the construction, efficiency, and course of the fence, illustrating the latter with a map. In their discussion, they also address the problematic nature of the terminology used for the structure. Both "anti-terror fence" and "apartheid wall" are ultimately propaganda terms that primarily reflect the perspective of the side using them.
"The Bible and the Limits"
The new edition of the book has not only been revised and updated, but also expanded to include the chapters "Trump's Deal of the Century" and "The Bible and the Borders." The latter is a particularly valuable addition: citing biblical passages, the authors examine "biblical thinking" regarding the Promised Land. They discuss which territories, according to the Bible, belonged to the promised land and what it means when God gave the land to the people with the command to "take it as an inheritance." In doing so, they also raise questions, for example, regarding the first definition of the borders in Genesis 13:14-15. There it says: "When Lot had separated from Abram, the Lord said to Abram, 'Lift up your eyes and look from where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward. All the land you see I will give to you and to your offspring forever.'" The authors argue that it remains unclear exactly where Abram was standing, what the visibility conditions were like that day, and how good the eyesight of the then 75-year-old was. All of these factors would have been crucial in determining the boundaries.
Finally, the authors make it clear that, according to the Bible, God the Creator sets the borders of nations. Crucial for the borders of a country is the obedience of its people to the word of God.
Improved clarity through colored maps
Unlike the first edition, the numerous maps are now labelled in more detail and are no longer presented in grayscale, but in color. This makes them significantly clearer overall. Several pages at the end of the book provide space for personal notes.
"Borderless Israel" is an objective, well-researched book that provides a concise overview of a complex topic. With their clearly written text and illustrative maps, Heinz Reusch and Johannes Gerloff contribute to a better understanding of Israel's recent history. This book is highly recommended for anyone who wants to understand the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
Available in the CSI Shop: Johannes Gerloff, Heinz Reusch: “Borderless Israel – A Country Divided”, Christians for Israel, 84 pages, €8.50, ISBN: 978-94-93011-09-0
