The Israel-Hamas conflict has deep religious roots and is influenced by the threat of jihadism, as discussed in a recent podcast by Sam Harris. Harris explores the motivations behind suicide bombing, martyrdom, and the brutality of violent conflicts, particularly in relation to Islamic doctrine. He argues that religious certainty, specifically in Islamism, poses an existential threat not only to Israel but to the whole world.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas is not only a political and territorial dispute but also a clash of religious beliefs and scriptures. The recent Hamas attack on Israel is discussed, shedding light on the religious motivations behind the conflict and its implications for religious sentiment and the historical persecution of Jews. The rise of anti-Semitism and the culture of Jew hatred in some Palestinian communities is a concern expressed in the podcast. The author also highlights the need to recalibrate moral compasses and address the wider issue of sympathy for jihadism.
The article 'Is Islam a Violent Religion?' by David P. Goldman explores the question of whether Islam is inherently violent or if violence is a susceptibility within the religion. It discusses the prevalence of religious violence perpetrated by Muslims and the varying opinions on terrorism among Muslim-majority countries. The author highlights that while violence is not a necessary characteristic of Islam, it is more prevalent among Muslims compared to adherents of other religions. The article also examines the concept of divine self-limitation in Judaism and Christianity, contrasting it with the absence of such a concept in Islam. It argues that Islam can be interpreted as both violent and non-violent, depending on the individual believer's choice. The author concludes that the combination of the sacral and the existential in Islam continues to nourish extremist groups like ISIS and Hamas.
On September 11, 2001, terrorists from the Arab world attacked the United States without warning or provocation, leading to the 'War on Terrorism.' The conflict between Israel and Hamas is not a religious conflict but a fight for the survival of two nations with independent political views. In October 2023, Hamas, a Palestinian political/terrorist group, attacked Israel with the goal of provoking another conflict between Arab nations and Israel. Israel, having experienced the Holocaust, is determined to prevent another genocide. The conflict would end if the Palestinian people defended themselves from Hamas and handed them over to their enemies. The two-country policy will not work as long as one country uses Arab terrorists as policymakers. The ceasefire is seen as bait for American policymakers and should be treated as such. The author suggests that any population that invented Algebra, like the Arabs, should come under suspicion.
The world is experiencing major geopolitical developments driven by faith-based conflicts, including the rise of Islamic radical forces such as Taliban, Al Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, and Palestinian Islamic Jehad [479a4f9d]. The Israel-Hamas conflict and the alignment of Iran, China, and Russia against the US are shaping global geopolitics [479a4f9d]. The trend of faith-based conflicts could strengthen forces of 'revivalism' and pose challenges to the democratic world order [479a4f9d]. India has been exposed to cross-border terrorism by Pakistan, which has used Islamic militant outfits like Hizbul Mujahideen, Lashkar-e-Toiba, and Jaishe Mohammad [479a4f9d]. The US-led 'war on terror' has been protracted and has allowed Islamic radical forces to survive and spread [479a4f9d]. The US focused on eliminating leaders of Islamic radicals like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi but failed to disrupt the process of radicalization through social media [479a4f9d]. ISIS, with its violent opposition to Shia Muslims, has captured large parts of Iraq and Syria and declared a Caliphate [479a4f9d]. ISIS-K, a regional wing of ISIS, operates in Afghanistan, Iran, and Turkmenistan [479a4f9d]. The Israel-Hamas conflict reveals the linkages between the US, Iran, and the Russia-China axis in the Middle East [479a4f9d]. Hamas, a Sunni Muslim organization, emerged from the Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and has become radicalized over time [479a4f9d]. Saudi Arabia does not approve of Hamas but calls for both sides to abstain from killing civilians [479a4f9d]. Iran and Syria have supported Hamas, despite its Sunni radical nature, due to their political alignment against the US-Israel combine [479a4f9d]. The recent ISIS attack in Moscow highlights the intersection of faith-based terror and political divides, leading to proxy wars [479a4f9d]. ISIS-K has attacked diplomats of China, Russia, and Pakistan in Afghanistan [479a4f9d]. Geopolitical conflicts today are driven by religious motivations, posing a risk to the democratic world [479a4f9d].
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza was not a religious conflict, according to Indonesia's Foreign Minister Retno LP Marsudi. Speaking at the International Conference on Cross-Cultural Religious Literacy in Jakarta, Marsudi emphasized that different faiths could be an asset to problem-solving in international relations when approached with tolerance and unity. She noted that while religious elements are often present and intensify tensions, the conflict is far more complicated than religious differences. Marsudi highlighted the importance of understanding diverse faiths and promoting interfaith dialogue. Indonesia, a fervent supporter of the Palestinian cause, has been intensifying diplomatic efforts to promote a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid flow to Gaza. [fcaf27dd]