How is the present day clash between Arabs and Jews a religious conflict?

Answer

The question "How is the present day clash between Arabs and Jews a religious conflict?" makes several assumptions that ought to addressed when considering an answer. First, the question implies that "Arabs" share a common religion. This becomes a dangerous assumption given the vastness of the Arab world. Needless to say, the Arabs with whom Israel engages tend to be either Sunni or Shiite (Shia) Muslims. Therefore, this will be discussed in the context of Judaism and Islam. Also, citing "present day" exclusively ignores centuries worth of important history which must not be neglected to gain an understanding of the situation; any inspection of the conflict looking exclusively at post-1948 history will inexorably be incomplete.

Muslims have historically persecuted the Jews (even though Jewish life under Muslim rule was better than under Christian rule) and forced them to live as second class citizens. The Koran calls Jews "pigs" and describes how Muhammad slaughtered villages of Jews because they would not convert to Islam. In Saudi Arabian textbooks, for example, children are taught that the Jews were insufferable infidels who, having insulted Islam, deserved to die. Though they were considered better than pagans, Jews have been reviled by the Muslim world for centuries.

Islam is used to indoctrinate children to hate Jews and Israel. Judaism, however, does not preach hate against Islam. When Israel fights to protect itself, it is not fighting using any religious justification whatsoever. Muslim terrorist organizations do justify their attacks with religion. Though the overarching reason behind the attacks on Israel are not so much that the Muslims in the region wish the Jews were Muslim as well, but antisemitism. Antisemitism is such a pervasive aspect of their society that it is a regular diet for them. Children are brought up to hate Jews without ever knowing them. Antisemitic television, literature, news, and discourse are all expected norms of Arab-Muslim society. Chants of "Drive the Jews into the Sea" and "Death to Israel, Death to America" are commonplace.

It is truly a war against a culture of hate. It would be naive to assert that these are fringe groups causing all the trouble.

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The posted answer may or may not be true, but it does not answer the question. The present day conflict between Israel and the Arab States is a national conflict over land. Relgion often gets dragged into on both sides but the conflict is not about religious dogma, it is over the national use of the land. The Zionist movement created a state of refuge for Jews called Israel, the non-Jewish inhabitants (mostly Palestinian Arabs) who lost part of the land because of this want the land back, and in many cases to destroy the state called Israel.

Answer

It seems more than likely that the present day clash in Palestine is about land rather than religion. In 1948, the British created the Israeli State, hence the Israeli State is a colony and every colony is guilty of committing violence on the nation already living in the land. It appears doubtful that there will ever be peace in Palestine between Arabs and Jews because the Jews cannot justify being there. The descendants of Abraham are an African nation, called Israelites. God promised to give the Israelites the land of Canaan, which is in Africa. The Israelites were scattered from the promised land due to their disobedience to God's laws. Proof of this is found in the book of Deuteronomy 28. When God brings his people back from exile, they will live in peace, not in fear of war. Proof of this is found in the book of Ezekiel 38. By identifying the true descendants of Abraham, one can see more clearly who is in the right and who is in the wrong in the land of Palestine.

First answer by Spleeding. Last edit by Firestorm1000. Contributor trust: 25 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 45 [recommend question]