To truly understand the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Muslim world , you need to delve into the annals of history. The roots of this struggle are ancient, steeped in religious and territorial claims that have persisted for millennia.
Who are the Jews?
The Jewish people trace their origins to the ancient Hebrews, a Semitic people who lived in the land of Canaan, which today encompasses Israel and parts of the surrounding region. The basis of Jewish identity is deeply intertwined with their belief in the one God, Yahweh, who made a covenant with the patriarch Abraham. This covenant, renewed through his descendants Isaac and Jacob, forms the basis of the Jewish claim to the land of Israel.
For centuries, the Jewish people lived on this land, creating kingdoms such as Israel and Judah. However, their sovereignty was repeatedly contested by foreign empires, leading to periods of exile and return. Despite these challenges, the Jewish connection to the land of Israel remained unbreakable, sustained by religious tradition and a deep-rooted hope for an eventual return.
The rise of Islam
Islam arose in the 7th century AD, founded by the Prophet Muhammad on the Arabian Peninsula. The Muslim community, or ummah, expanded rapidly, conquering vast territories in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. For a century after Muhammad's death, the Muslim Caliphate controlled much of the former Roman and Persian empires, including the region of Palestine that is home to Jerusalem, a city of great importance to Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
Islamic rule over Jerusalem began in AD 638 when Caliph Umar captured the city. Under Muslim rule, Jews and Christians were allowed to practice their religion, but they were also subject to certain restrictions and taxes. Despite these restrictions, Jewish communities continued to exist in the region throughout the centuries of Islamic rule.
The roots of the conflict
The modern conflict between Jews and Muslims over the land of Israel can be traced back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The rise of nationalist movements among both Jews and Arabs combined with the decline of the Ottoman Empire set the stage for the struggle for the future of Palestine.
The Zionist movement, which sought to create a Jewish homeland in Palestine, gained momentum in the late 19th century. Jews from all over the world began to immigrate to Palestine, leading to tensions with the Arab population, who also had deep historical and religious ties to the land.
The Balfour Declaration of 1917, in which Britain expressed support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine, further exacerbated these tensions. After World War I, the League of Nations gave Britain a mandate to administer Palestine, during which Jewish immigration continued to increase.
The birth of Israel and the first Arab-Israeli war
The 1947 UN Partition Plan, which called for the partition of Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, was accepted by the Jews but rejected by the Arab states. When Israel declared independence in 1948, neighboring Arab countries invaded, leading to the first Arab-Israeli war. Israel's victory in that war cemented its existence as a sovereign state, but it also displaced hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs, creating a refugee crisis that continues to this day.
Why Israel cannot be defeated
Israel's survival during the Emergency is often attributed to several factors. First, a deep historical and religious connection to the land is a powerful source of national identity and unity. Second, Israel has developed a highly effective military supported by advanced technology and intelligence capabilities. Third, Israel has strong international alliances, particularly with the United States, which provides crucial military and diplomatic support.
From the point of view of many Israelites, their continued survival and success is seen as the fulfillment of divine promises made to their forefathers. This belief in a divine mission strengthened Israel's determination to defend its homeland at all costs.
Views of Muslim and Israeli historians
Muslim historians often view the conflict through the lens of resistance to foreign rule and colonialism. From their point of view, the establishment of Israel is seen as an injustice against the Arab population of Palestine, perpetuated by Western powers. This view emphasizes the importance of restoring Palestinian rights and sovereignty over their land.
Israeli historians, on the contrary, emphasize the historical and religious claims of the Jewish people to the land of Israel. They see the conflict as a struggle for survival in the hostile, where Israel is surrounded by neighbors who have repeatedly sought to destroy it.
In summary, understanding the deep historical roots of the Israeli-Muslim conflict is essential to understanding why it remains unresolved. The centuries-old connection of the Jewish people with the land of Israel, combined with the flourishing of Islamic civilization and subsequent nationalist movements, gave rise to a complex and long-lasting struggle. Despite the many challenges, Israel's steadfast resolve, driven by both religious conviction and national identity, continues to play a central role in this ongoing conflict.
Comments
Post a Comment