This week we invite Sister Maha Turner as our guest correspondent. Her contribution is timely since we are observing Remembrance Day. As Benjamin Franklin said at the end of the American Revolutionary War: “There was never a good war, or a bad peace.” We wonder if the powers that be realise this, as the world is constantly at war.

Islam allows war in self-defence (Koran 22:39), to defend Islam (rather than to spread it), to protect those who have been removed from their homes by force because they are Muslims (Koran 22:40), and to protect the innocent who are being oppressed (Koran 4:75).

The controversy surrounding the current Israeli/Palestinian conflict which has been masked in so much untold or wrongly told information and has caused a divide of opinion among many. This article hopes to make aware the truth of how this conflict all started and why it has resulted in the horror of a situation we have today. Sister Maha is a pundit on this conflict and this is her story.

This conflict is a longstanding and profoundly complex issue rooted in historical, political, and religious differences. Since the Balfour Declaration in 1917, this conflict has endured for over a century, leading to countless lives lost, diplomatic efforts, and ongoing tensions. I will provide an overview of the history, key events, and the complex dynamics that continue to shape the region.

The Balfour Declaration

In the midst of the First World War, the British government expressed support for the establishment of a home for the Jewish people in Palestine, which was under Ottoman rule at the time.

The Ottoman Empire lasted for six centuries; it was founded around 1299, and lasted until its dissolution in the aftermath of the First World War in 1922. It became a vast and powerful state that spanned three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Islam was the official religion of the Ottoman, and the Sultan also held the title Caliph, making him the religious leader of Sunni Islam. Ottoman Empire had a policy of religious tolerance that allowed for the coexistence of various religious communities, including Jews and Christians. This policy attracted many persecuted religious minorities who sought refuge within the empire.

Jews and Christians lived within the Ottoman Empire. They coexisted with a significant degree of peace and tolerance. However, like in any multi-ethnic and multi-religious society, there were periods of tension and conflict, particularly during political upheaval and decline.

Arthur James Balfour, also known as Lord Balfour, who served as Prime Minister of the UK from 1902 to 1905 as a foreign secretary in 1917; he issued the Balfour Declaration, on behalf of the cabinet, which supported the establishment of a home for the Jewish people in Palestine. This declaration played a pivotal role in shaping the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

During that time, the population of Palestine was 757,182, of whom 590,390 were Muslims, 83,694 Jews, and 73,024 Christians.

Following the First World War, Britain was mandating Palestine, and during this time, Jewish immigration to Palestine increased, leading to tensions between Jewish and Arab communities, and violence erupted. The United Nations’ approval of the 1947 Partition Plan aimed to resolve the situation by dividing Palestine into two separate Jewish and Arab states with an international administration for Jerusalem. While accepted by the Jewish leadership, the Arabs rejected the plan because they formed a two-thirds majority. In addition, they own most of the land.

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the 1948 War of Independence, was a significant conflict that occurred in the wake of the United Nations’ decision to partition British Mandate Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states.

On May 14, 1948, David Ben-Gurion, the head of the Jewish Agency, proclaimed the establishment of the State of Israel, leading to the formation of the Israeli government.

The neighbouring Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq, opposed the UN partition plan and the creation of Israel, seeing it as a violation of Palestinian and Arab rights.

After the establishment of the Israeli state, the Arab states launched military operations against the newly established state. The conflict ended with a series of armistice agreements between Israel and its Arab neighbours.

These agreements were brokered by the United Nations and were signed in 1949. Israel managed to survive and expand its territory beyond the boundaries set by the UN partition plan. The war resulted in significant demographic changes, with hundreds of thousands of Palestinian Arabs becoming refugees and a similar number of Jews immigrating to Israel.

The 1948 Arab-Israeli War is a pivotal event in the history of the Middle East, shaping the region’s political landscape and contributing to the ongoing Israeli-Arab conflict.

The 1967 Arab-Israeli War, also known as the Six-day War, was a significant conflict that took place between Israel and several Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

Israel’s victory led to the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza Strip, the Sinai Peninsula (Egypt), and the Golan Heights (Syria). These territories are at the heart of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian dispute, with the Palestinians aspiring to establish their independent state in the West Bank and Gaza. The status of the territories captured by Israel remains a contentious issue in the region, with ongoing disputes over borders, settlements, and the rights of Palestinians. The 1967 war is one of the defining events in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict and continues to influence regional dynamics to this day.

The 1973 war between Egypt/Syria and Israel is commonly referred to as Yom Kippur War in Israel and the October War in Egypt. It took place from October 6 to 25.

Egypt, along with Syria, launched a surprise attack on Israel in an attempt to retake the Sinai and the Golan Heights, which had been occupied by Israel in the 1967 war. The initial Egyptian and Syrian advances caught Israel off guard, and heavy fighting ensued. However, Israel eventually managed to repel the Arab forces and even made some territorial gains, including crossing the Suez Canal into Egyptian territory.

The war led to significant losses on both sides. A ceasefire was brokered by the United Nations on October 25, 1973, which ended the hostilities. The war had a lasting impact on the region, and it eventually led to the Camp David Accords in 1978, where Egypt and Israel negotiated a peace agreement. As a result, Egypt became the first Arab country to officially recognise Israel, and Israel withdrew from the Sinai Peninsula in exchange for peace.

The 1993 Oslo Accords provided a framework for peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO). The accords envisioned a two-state solution, where Israel and Palestine would coexist peacefully. While these agreements brought a degree of hope, subsequent developments and disagreements have hindered their implementation.

Unfortunately, the construction of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem has been a major source of contention. These settlements, considered illegal under international law, have expanded over the years, leading to disputes over land and resources.

Palestinians in the West Bank face restrictions on movement, with numerous checkpoints and barriers, which hinder economic and social development.

Periodic military operations by Israel in Gaza and the West Bank, such as Operation Cast Lead (2008-2009), Operation Protective Edge (2014), and others, have resulted in civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.

Human rights organisations accuse Israel of discrimination against Palestinian citizens of Israel; they face unequal treatment in various aspects of life.

The blockade of the Gaza Strip by Israel, in co-operation with Egypt has resulted in significant humanitarian challenges for the Palestinian population Living in Gaza.

The settlers in Israel are permitted to carry firearms, which contributes to the intimidation of Palestinians and their families. Tragically, there have been cases where these firearms have been used to cause harm, even in situations where the Israeli military is present.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a highly complex issue with a long history of conflict and tension. This conflict has resulted in numerous tragic events, including acts of violence, displacement, and human rights abuses.

“Fight in the way of Allah against those who fight against you and do not be aggressive. Surely Allah does not love aggressors.” (2:190)

It has been reported in a hadith that Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) commanded that there be rules of war, which were many. The rules provided dignity and fairness to all parties. He would say: “Fight in the name of Allah and in the way of Allah. Make a holy war, do not embezzle the spoils; do not break your pledge; and do not mutilate (the dead) bodies; do not kill the children.”

Bermuda let us pray for justice, fairness and peace for all.

As salaam alaikum (Peace be unto you).