For the sake of Zion I will not be silent,

and for the sake of Jerusalem I will not be still,

till her righteousness goes forth as radiance,
and her salvation,
like a burning torch. Yesha’yahu 62:1

01. Cultural Roots of the Arab-Israel Conflict

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Background and definitions
1. Understanding the Arab-Israel conflict requires an understanding of certain beliefs held by Muslims.
2. The culture of the Arab world is hugely influenced by Islamic thoughts and concepts. It is not surprising that
hostility towards Israel and Jews has been largely based on those elements of Muslim thought that are hostile to
Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel.
3. That this conflict is not necessarily a conflict between all Muslims and all Jews is demonstrated by the reality that
there have been, and still are Muslims who are supportive of a Jewish state. There have been large numbers who
were indifferent to the existence of such a state, and there are still significant numbers who, although theoretically
hostile, are not motivated to act on their hostility.

Some basic Islamic concepts

1. Islam views itself as the primordial religion of mankind, revealed from its Devine source by prophets. They believe
these to include all the prophets of the Tanach as well as the founder of Christianity. These revelations, made to the
Jews and the Christians, were (according to the Muslim view) corrupted and distorted, requiring a pure and rectified
revelation through Muhammad, believed to be the final and
perfect prophet. The most important part of his “prophecy” is
preserved in the Qur’an.
2. The world is divided into two geographical areas; the dar al-Islam
(“abode of Islam”) and the dar al-Harb (“abode of war”).

Jews and Christians under Islam

1. Avodah zorah is condemned by Islam. Concessions were made to
Hindus who came under Muslim rule. There status as dhimmi is
disputed by many Islamic scholars who classify them as kuffār Flag of Saudi Arabia
(pagans). (The flag is green and white. The inscription
reads, “There is no G-d but All-h and Muhammad
2. At this point in history the only way to be a Muslim is to follow
is His Messenger”)
the teachings of Muhammed. Hence, adherents of post Islamic
religions such as Sikhism and the Bahá’í Faith cannot be dhimmis.
3. Judaism and Christianity are viewed as earlier versions of Islam. Hence Jews and Christians are classified as “people
of the book” or “people with scriptures” (Ahl al- Kitâb). (Other groups who fall into this category are the
Zoroastrians and the Mandaeans, but they are beyond the scope of this discussion).
4. “People of the Book” have a protected status in traditional Islamic states known as dhimmi. They are guaranteed
certain rights such as the right to freely practice their faith in private, in return for state protection, and exemption
from military service. Instead they were required to pay a special tax called jizyah (“tribute”).
5. Although the actual status of Jews and Christians under Islamic regimes varied, they were almost without exception
kept in an inferior and humiliated state. Jews, however, often saw the advantage of humiliation under Islam to
oppression under Christianity.

Muslim perspectives on Jewish rule

1. The location of a Jewish state in the geographic heart of the dar al Islam is seen as an affront by many Muslims,
particularly the more extreme. The fact that in this state Jews rule over Muslims further exacerbates the affront.
2. Where the concepts mentioned above are applied to the exception of other, possibly more balancing concepts
within Muslim thought, the stage is set for a struggle against Israel that will not be ended by drawing a line on a
map.

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