– Dr. M. Iqbal Siddiqui
War is a scourge that devastates lives and entrenches injustice under the pretext of necessity. The escalating Israel-Iran conflict, intertwined with the Israel-Palestine struggle, exemplifies how war serves the powerful while crushing the vulnerable. This analysis traces the roots of these conflicts, examines Israel’s territorial ambitions, evaluates Iran’s resistance, exposes alleged war crimes enabled by U.S. support, and urges the Muslim world, peace-loving nations, and India to intervene. War is a choice we must reject; humanity’s future depends on it.
Historical Roots of the Israel-Palestine Conflict
The Israel-Palestine conflict is a story of dispossession, exile, and unrelenting struggle for self-determination. For centuries, Palestinians lived in historic Palestine, a land of diverse communities under Ottoman and later British rules. The late 19th century brought Zionist aspirations for a Jewish homeland – who in fact came to the land as refugees – which clashed with Palestinian national identity. The 1917 Balfour Declaration, in which Britain endorsed a Jewish national home in Palestine, ignored the indigenous population’s rights, setting the stage for conflict. The 1947 UN Partition Plan, proposing separate Jewish and Arab states, was rejected by Palestinians, as it was an unjust division of their homeland, granting 56% of the land to an illegitimate Jewish state despite Palestinians comprising two-thirds of the population.
The 1948 war, triggered by Israel’s declaration of statehood, became the Nakba – Arabic for “catastrophe” – for Palestinians. Over 750,000 were forcibly displaced, their villages razed, and their lands seized, creating a refugee crisis that persists today. The 1967 Six-Day War saw Israel occupy the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem, subjecting Palestinians to military rule and illegal settlements that fragmented their territory. The First and Second Intifadas, born of desperation against occupation, met brutal suppression, killing thousands. Despite peace efforts like the Oslo Accords, Israel’s ongoing settlement expansion and restrictions on Palestinian movement have stifled hopes for statehood. For Palestinians, this history is not merely a conflict but a continuous struggle against colonisation, displacement, and erasure, with war deepening their suffering rather than resolving it.
The Israel-Iran Conflict: Causes and Dynamics
The Israel-Iran conflict, a volatile mix of ideology and strategy, emerged after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution turned cooperation into hostility. Iran views Israel as an imperialist oppressor of Palestinians; Israel sees Iran’s support for Hezbollah and Hamas as a threat. Covert actions – Israel’s assassinations of Iranian scientists, cyberattacks like Stuxnet – and overt clashes, like Israel’s 2018 Syria airstrikes and Iran’s missile responses, define this rivalry. Focussed on regional dominance rather than territory, both nations use proxies to avoid direct war. Yet, this brinkmanship destabilises the region and sacrifices civilian lives. War is not a solution but a symptom of unresolved tensions.
Israel’s Vision of a Greater Israel
Israel’s pursuit of a “Greater Israel” – considered a biblical vision encompassing modern Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, and parts of neighbouring states – shapes its policies, if not its public stance. Over 700,000 settlers in the West Bank and the occupation of East Jerusalem signal this ambition. These moves aim to prevent a viable Palestinian state, prioritising control over peace. Military operations in Gaza weaken resistance while expanding Israel’s footprint. This expansionism, rooted in war and occupation, fuels endless conflict, undermining Israel’s security. Greater Israel is not a triumph but a perilous illusion.
Israel’s War Crimes
Israel’s actions in Gaza face accusations of war crimes from the UN, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch. The 15-year Gaza blockade, restricting food, medicine, and movement, constitutes collective punishment, violating international law. Disproportionate airstrikes have killed over 40,000, civilians, destroying homes, schools, and hospitals. The 2014 Gaza War alone claimed 2,251 Palestinian lives versus 73 Israelis. Israel cites self-defence against Hamas rockets, but the scale and targeting suggest impunity. These actions erode Israel’s moral standing and demand accountability, not justification.
The U.S. as Enabler of Conflict
The United States enables Israel’s actions through $4.08 billion in annual military aid, supplying F-35 jets and bombs used in Gaza. Diplomatically, U.S. vetoes at the UN shield Israel from criticism. Framed as support for a democratic ally, this aid sustains occupation and conflict. Settlements grow, Gaza suffers, and Palestinian hopes fade, underwritten by American taxpayers. The U.S. could champion peace but prioritises strategic interests, perpetuating war through complicity.
Iran’s Role: A Counterbalance to Injustice
Iran’s opposition to Israel, is rooted in a principled critique of Israel’s policies and actions towards the Palestinian people. By supporting groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, Iran stands firmly with Palestinian resistance, establishing itself as a steadfast defender of those who have long suffered under occupation and injustice.
This support reflects Iran’s commitment to challenging Israel’s dominance in the region and the implicit backing it receives from Western powers, offering a much-needed counterbalance to prevailing geopolitical narratives. Iran’s rejection of Israel’s policies underscores its dedication to justice and the rights of Palestinians, highlighting its role as a champion for the oppressed in a complex and deeply troubled region.
The Call for Global Intervention
The Muslim world and peace-loving nations must act to halt Israel’s course, as the conflict’s fallout – refugees, extremism, instability – threatens global security. Silence abets war crimes and occupation, betraying justice and dignity. The Muslim world, tied to Palestine by history and morality, can lead through diplomacy, sanctions, and legal action. All nations must come forth to broker a just settlement. War is a collective failure; stopping it is a shared duty.
India’s Potential Role in De-escalation
India’s balanced ties with Israel and Iran position it as a potential mediator in the Israel-Iran conflict. Its defence and technology partnerships with Israel and energy ties with Iran, combined with its non-aligned stance and global influence, make it a credible intermediary. India could use backchannel diplomacy or host talks to foster dialogue, reducing hostilities.
India’s involvement could yield varied outcomes:
- Successful Mediation: A ceasefire or reduced hostilities could emerge, with agreements on military restraint or communication channels. This would bolster India’s global reputation and ties with both nations, though the conflict’s deep roots – ideology, territory, and rivalries – require broader international support for lasting peace.
- Fragile Outcomes: Any de-escalation may be tenuous, given the conflict’s complexity involving proxies and geopolitics. Unresolved matters, such as the fact that both nations possess nuclear capabilities, could quickly undermine any progress made without continued support and intervention from the United Nations or the broader international community.
- Risk of Failure: Missteps or perceived bias could harm India’s neutrality, straining relations with Israel or Iran and impacting trade or energy security.
The Influence of Religious Prophecies
Religious prophecies complicate peace efforts:
- Israeli (Jewish) Prophecies: Jewish eschatology’s “End of Days” predicts turmoil before the Messiah’s arrival. Some see Middle East conflicts as steps toward this, hardening Israel’s stance against compromise.
- Islamic Prophecies: Some Islamic traditions foresee the decline or defeat of regimes seen as oppressors of Muslims and Palestinians:
- The Quran speaks broadly about the defeat of oppressors and the triumph of truth (e.g., Surah Al-Qasas 28:5 – “And We intended to confer favour upon those who were oppressed in the land and make them leaders and make them inheritors.”)
- Shi’ite prophecy of a final battle and the Mahdi’s return frames the conflict as a cosmic struggle, strengthening Iran’s resolve. Many Muslims believe in the coming of the Mahdi, a messianic figure who will appear before the end times to restore justice and equity on earth.
- Islamic tradition holds that Jesus (Isa, peace be to him) will return near the end of times to defeat the false messiah (Al-Masih ad-Dajjal) and establish peace and justice.
- Some Hadiths mention conflicts and turmoil in the Middle East, including struggles over Jerusalem and the surrounding lands.
- Impact on De-escalation: These beliefs may hinder compromise, viewing conflict as divinely ordained. Yet, mediators like India could reframe these narratives toward reconciliation, emphasising shared values like justice to foster peace.
Towards a Future Beyond War: Unity, Justice, and Dialogue
War promises security but delivers ruin. The Israel-Iran conflict, rooted in the Palestine struggle and Israel’s ambitions, exposes war’s futility. Iran’s resistance, Israel’s alleged crimes, and U.S. complicity demand accountability. India’s mediation offers hope, but lasting peace requires global support and reframing religious narratives. The Muslim world and peace-loving nations must act – not for more war, but for justice. We must break this cycle, or humanity pays the price.
