Israel/Palestine

It came in handy from the time of the Crusades to colonialist expansion - and today of course.

Historical facts are at odds with this claim. Conversion unfolded organically, mostly through trade, justice and law. It expanded far beyond the borders of the Muslim empire or political influence. No Muslim army crossed the Sahara, East Africa, Southeast Asia or China yet it spread in those places. Where Muslim armies conquered, the languages, culture and religion of the natives was left intact for generations and conversion was slow, not imposed by the "sword".

Since you raised Balfour, it is relevant to the discussion that the unilateral, imperial decision of one peer of the crumbling British Empire of the early 20th century could erase the rights and aspirations - the very existence - of the Muslim natives of that "Holy Land".

As for 1948, I have seen a lot of "misconceptions" around that fateful year too.