My article is in now way intended to insult or denigrate any religion. I simply intend to observe and then analyse why so many extreme views exist within the world of religion and politics and how the two intertwined in regards to the three theist religions have been able to divide much of the worlds populous.
The three monotheist religions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam share a great deal in common in regards to giving much to the world and unifying many people, it’s the extremist undercurrents within them that are garnering much attention. They share extremist elements with slightly different ideological narratives but with a similar end goal in the guise of an apocalyptic ending to mankind’s existence.
The nationalist ideology of Zionism is one the key antagonists to peace in the world with Israel constantly at war with its neighbours. Evangelical Christianity is a flourishing movement in the United States, maintaining political leverage often influencing Republican Party nominations in the Midwest states. Then there’s also the Salafi movement of Saudi Arabia which promotes “Jihad” or holy war with all those that do not accept their brand of Islam against infidels, and even Muslims that do not conform to their puritanical ways; All sects that I find abhorrent and deplorable, yet their influence is far from diminishing, on the contrary in fact spreading.
This triumvirate commands great influence politically. Zionism really took off in the 18th century under Theodor Herzl, and has managed to position itself, via AIPAC, as the most powerful lobby on the planet. They managed to create obscurity via propaganda, and influence politicians through spending exorbitant amounts of money on swaying senators and representatives towards policies that protect Israel regardless of any ills it commits. This despite the fact that the creation of Israel the country has displaced the lands original inhabitants, namely the Palestinians. Israel has fought wars with its Arab neighbours and still pursues an aggressive foreign policy in order to secure a home for the “chosen” people to the detriment of many in the region.
But Israel serves more than just a purpose than providing a home for Jews. Evangelical Christians, from the “bible belt” of the United States command great respect because of the millions they are able to mobilise to support Israel in defiance of the international consensus. A prime example of this was the support they gave for George Bush throughout his humiliating attempts to come across as partial during the peace negotiations between Israel and Palestine. Figures such as Pat Robertson and John Hagee promoted their brand of Christendom with much fervour appealing to the masses. Evangelicals seek an end game, a war which will last seven years in Israel, and only Christians will survive and descend to heaven in a process known as the “rapture”. Ironically Jews in Israel will either have to convert or be slain among those who fight this repugnant war.
Salafism capitalises on this in a huge way and the appeal is certainly alluring to many mainstream Muslims because of what they’re seeing. Palestinians getting a raw deal from the Israelis; many Muslim dominated states being invaded by Christian nations; and the persecution of those Muslims in the West are all reasons being exploited by this fringe movement. The Saudi government are pumping billions into the expansion of this repulsive movement via grand buildings of mosques, and by giving aid to war torn countries like Somalia. In turn proxies such as Al-Shabab and Al-Qaeda have sprung to the forefront giving off the impression that they are fighting “a holy war” when in reality this couldn’t be further from the truth. The Al-Saud family are the benefactors behind Salafism and via petro-dollars they have gained great leverage in places that are war-torn and in need of infrastructure.
What this unfortunately does is keep the Arab world at loggerheads with Zionism. But ironically, in spite of the American right being Israel’s greatest supporters, they are frowned upon due to their beliefs. Evangelicals do not really believe that Israel deserves to be protected on the condition that it provides a necessary home for Jews. Rather they believe it encompasses a sordid belief that they are merely lodgers until the time comes upon which they will either be forced to convert or suffer the ill-fate of those who fail to conform. Behind closed doors Zionists despise the Evangelical movement but see them as a pawn in order to ensure the longevity of Israel and her survival.
The Wahabi’s or Salafi’s in turn use the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, interspersed with the mistreatment of the Palestinians, to spread their ideological beliefs against Jews. Whilst they maintain an element of influence in the form of lobbying in the United States, their policy of promoting war in Iran keeps their branch of Islam at the forefront, as Iran rivals them via principles derived from the Shiite faith. This paradox comes to fruition in the form of Al-Qaeda and Al-Shabbab who truly believe they are fighting a holy war.
In some cases it could be understandable that some fighters are resisting for occupational reasons, but the Salafist view doesn’t embody nationalism. Quite the contrary, it promotes vitriolic hatred of others and examples of this can be seen in public beheadings and savage executions recorded on video tapes. The irony of the whole thing is the United States government is in business with Saudi Arabia, the very nation that sponsors and funds Al-Qaeda and from which they originate.
This triangle of extremism serves only each other insofar as furthering their own agendas at the behest of moderates. The Salafi’s promote Jihad against Jews in the form of Jihad warfare due to Israel’s existence and the mistreatment of Palestinians. The Zionists abuse their influence in American congress to ensure Israel’s survival in spite of many of their supporters being virulent anti-Semites from the Christian right. Finally Evangelical Christians ratchet up hate against Muslims because of the actions of Salafis who promote terrorist acts such a suicide bombings and other reprehensible acts of violence in the west to further promote their version of Islam. All of this amalgamates into the vast majority of moderate religious theists from all three respectable religions paying the price with tarnished reputations and in some cases collateral damage.
Haider this is a very good article and I, with you, think that if the extremists on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict weren’t around there could be peace. Unfortunately extremists always exert more influence than moderates whether internally or externally.
I do, however, disagree that Zionism in and of itself is stopping peace. Zionism is simply the name given (originally in the 19th century) was a belief in the establishment of a Jewish country in the land which Jews have lived in continually for approximately 3000 years. Many people however have taken this to an extreme and see all Palestinians as the enemy, similar to the Hamas view of Jews. Fortunately, this is a minority of people and is a bastardised version of the movement.
I would like to point out that Faisal I of Iraq actually wrote in March 1919 that
“The Arabs, especially the educated among us, look with the deepest sympathy on the Zionist movement. Our deputation here in Paris is fully acquainted with the proposals submitted yesterday by the Zionist Organization to the Peace Conference, and we regard them as moderate and proper.”
There is no reason that peace cannot be achieved by the right people as long as Israel has a definitive agreement from ALL Palestinian and Muslim groups of safety, and vice-versa.
With the current political establishment, on both sides, I cannot see this happening, and 100% agree that Israel should not negotiate until either Hamas recognise Israel’s right to exist and/or they are not part of the PA government.
Posted by Alex Patnick | January 31, 2012, 4:24 pmI forgot to add that a lot of the land was bought from Arab landowners by Jews throughout the world, including the Rothschilds.
Posted by Alex Patnick | January 31, 2012, 4:30 pmWell of course Zionism is a broad ideology comprised of liberal, nationalist, green, socialist, Christian Zionism and traditional tendencies. but in my opinion nationalist Zionism is the dominant form. It’s also to the detriment of the peace process, hence why I stated its a pertinent factor.
I agree with almost everything you said barring your last statement regarding Israel not negotiating with Hamas. By that notion there will be no negotiations because Israel doesn’t acknowledge Palestine’s right to exist either. Simply think it’s a charade to deter talks like they have been doing since it’s inception.
Whilst the Jews who originally emmigrated during mandate Palestine were buying land, the wars of 1948 and 1967 saw a land grab take place hence the Palestine refugee problem.
Posted by Haider Ali | February 1, 2012, 3:55 amNationalist Zionism is the dominant form but a significant minority, the one that causes the problem is religious Zionism. Their point of view is that G-d gave the land to the Jews and only He can take take it of them. Therefore, they would reject any Peace Treaty and any Rabbi who endorses it would be considered a bad Jew.
As for the Palestinians right to have their own state, the majority of Israelis and Jews I know, left and right wing, who want a two-state solution. It is the Palestinians NOT the Israelis who are holding the negotiations up. The Palestinians have pre-conditions which and this makes negotiations pointless.
The British government would not have negotiated with the IRA in 1997 if they had preconditions.
As I said in my other comment, with the current political establishment on both sides, peace can’t be negotiated.
Posted by Alex Patnick | February 1, 2012, 5:36 pmIt’s poignant you bring the British government up because they too were occupiers, helping to colonise Northern Ireland.
And you say Palestinians are holding the negotiations up, which is true, but I ask you why? Because israel is expanding settlements. Tell me if you were a Palestinian negotiator, what point is there in negotiating if the very thing your negotiating for is being taken away bit by bit? It’s useless because negotiating simply becomes a PR tool for the Israelis who can say to the world oh look we’re doing our bit, when it couldn;t be further form the truth.
Having the right to take back the West Bank is set in stone according to international law, that is not a pre-condition, that is a RIGHT. If you want mutual adjustments that is fine, so long as equal chunks of land are carved up to reciprocate, but the Palestinians have gone along with this song and dance before in 2000 when Barak called off peace talks.
You want peace talks to commence the settlements should stop, you know that’s a universal truth.
Posted by Haider Ali | February 2, 2012, 5:41 am