The heart of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is indeed a tapestry woven with the threads of history, religious beliefs, and political ambitions. To disentangle this complex web, we must delve into the profound religious narratives that have shaped the identity and aspirations of both Muslims and Jews concerning the Holy Land.
For Muslims, the land known as Palestine holds a significant place in their religious consciousness. It is the third holiest site in Islam, following Mecca and Medina. The city of Jerusalem, or Al-Quds in Arabic, is where the Prophet Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven during the Night Journey, an event that is central to the Islamic faith. The Al-Aqsa Mosque, located on the Noble Sanctuary or Haram Al-Sharif, is a powerful symbol of this connection. The sanctity of the land is emphasized by the presence of the Dome of the Rock, which is built over the Foundation Stone, a site venerated by Muslims as the location of the First and Second Temples in Jewish tradition.
In the Islamic tradition, the land was bequeathed to the prophets, including Abraham, Ishmael, and Moses, and later to the Muslim community. The history of Islamic rule in the region spans over a millennium, from the early Muslim conquests in the 7th century to the establishment of the modern state of Israel in 1948. This long-standing presence has deeply embedded the idea of Palestine as an Islamic waqf, or a religious trust, that cannot be alienated or divided.
For Jews, the connection to the land is rooted in the Hebrew Bible, where it is called Eretz Yisrael. It is the Promised Land, given to the Jewish people by God as an everlasting inheritance. The Western Wall, the last remnant of the Second Temple, is the holiest site where Jews are permitted to pray. The narrative of exile and return is central to Jewish identity, with the longing for Zion—a term often used to refer to both the city of Jerusalem and the Land of Israel—becoming a cornerstone of Jewish prayer and hope. The idea of a Jewish homeland in Palestine was revitalized during the 19th and 20th centuries with the rise of Zionism, a political movement aiming to establish a Jewish state in the region.
The conflict between these two religious narratives has been exacerbated by historical events, such as the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which promised a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine, and the subsequent British mandate. The tragedy of the Holocaust during World War II intensified the international pressure to create a safe haven for the Jewish people, leading to the 1947 United Nations Partition Plan, which called for the division of the land into Jewish and Arab states.
The reality on the ground today is a result of the interplay between these religious claims and the political developments that have unfolded over the decades. The establishment of the state of Israel in 1948 led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians, known as the Nakba, or "catastrophe" in Arabic. This event created a Palestinian refugee crisis and set the stage for ongoing conflict. Successive wars in 1956, 1967, and 1973 have reshaped the borders and the political landscape, with Israel now controlling most of the land that was once under British mandate.
The situation is further complicated by the presence of religious and nationalist sentiments on both sides. The land is not only a political asset but also a sacred trust that carries the weight of divine promise. For many Jews, the reestablishment of a Jewish state in the Holy Land is seen as a divine right and a promise fulfilled after centuries of persecution. For many Muslims and Palestinians, the loss of this land is a profound injustice and a challenge to their religious and national identity.
The conflict has evolved into a complex web of territorial claims, human rights issues, and national aspirations. It is a story of two peoples with deep-seated historical and religious connections to the same piece of land, each seeking justice and self-determination. The path to peace requires a nuanced understanding of these underlying narratives and a commitment to reconciling the legitimate concerns of both parties within the framework of international law and human rights.
The quest for a resolution that respects the sanctity of the land and the rights of its inhabitants remains a profound challenge. The land itself, imbued with layers of holy significance, seems to echo the prayers and cries of those who hold it dear. It is a land where the whispers of ancient prophecies mingle with the shouts of modern protest, and where the footprints of the past are ever-present in the shifting sands of the present. Only through empathy, dialogue, and a willingness to share the land can the cycle of conflict be broken and the dreams of both peoples be realized.
But as everyone knows, today in 2024 and for nearly 11 months, the Palestinian people have been subjected to great injustice, and we are talking here about a war that includes the Gaza Strip and specifically civilians, and this is of course contrary to the ethics of war and international law, and as is clear to everyone, the Israeli government represented by Netanyahu opposes the laws of international courts and is of course supported by the American government represented by Joe Biden currently.
- Thousands have been killed in this crazy war on the Gaza Strip without any clear justification. Children and women are being killed day and night, and by missiles directly to their homes and even in their refugee camps!! Peaceful coexistence between peoples of the world, regardless of their religion, culture, appearance and color, is a solution to avoid disasters that may occur in the future. History will not have mercy on any mistake committed by an oppressor against a people without justification. In the end, justice must take its course towards any person or entity proven to be involved in committing massacres and genocides, and the international community and international humanitarian and human rights organizations must assume their responsibilities and exert all their energies in order to curb this madness that afflicts some human minds in this world...