The conflict between state and religion in Israel-Palestine is deeply rooted in its historical, political, and religious tensions. The land of Jerusalem holds special significance for all three major religions; Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Each Religion considered Jerusalem as their holy site and has historical importance of it. The Al-Aqsa Mosque holds special religious importance as the third holiest site in Islam and it is located in the heart of Jerusalem. The Al-Aqsa Mosque holds a significant place in the hearts of Muslims as the third holiest site of Islam. Al-Aqsa is the location where the Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) embarked on his Night Journey from Mecca to Jerusalem. This journey is mentioned in the Holy Quran and is called Shab-e-Miraj. Al- Aqsa was served as the first Qibla (direction of prayer) for Muslims, later it changed to Mecca from Jerusalem. According to Muslims, it is also the birthplace of many Prophets; they lived there and preached Islam.
In Judaism, The Temple Mount holds special significance and is considered the holiest site in Judaism. Jewish people believe that it is the location of two ancient temples; Solomon’s Temple and the Second Temple and it is the center of religious life and worship. Jewish people also believed that the Temple Mount was the site where the Third Temple would be built in the messianic era. For Christians, Jerusalem is considered a sacred city because they believe that it is the place of life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The Israeli -Palestine Conflict dates back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries with the rise of the Zionism movement. The Zionist movement advocated for the establishment of a Jewish State in the historic land of Israel. The British government expressed its support for the establishment of a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine and the Jews started migrating to Palestine. In 1947, with the help of the United Nations, the land of Jerusalem was divided into separate Jewish and Arab states, under international control. Jewish leaders accepted this plan but Arab leaders rejected it and it led to the Arab-Israeli War of 1948-1949. The conflict arose when the Jews called themselves the Landowners of Palestine and declared its independence in 1948. It led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians; they were expelled from their homes. This event was known as Nakba in history.
Israel fought several wars against Arab neighbors including the Six-Day War (1967) and the Yom Kippur War (1973) which resulted in further territorial changes and displacement. Israel occupied the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and East Jerusalem in the Six-Day War. There were many Efforts to resolve the conflict including peace negotiations, such as the Oslo Accords (1990s), which aimed to establish a framework for Palestinian self-governance. However, the conflict continues to be complex with no easy solutions.
For Israelis, the establishment of a Jewish state in their ancestral homeland is a fulfillment of millennia-old aspirations and a refuge for centuries. In Israel, the relationship between religion and the state is complex. There is tension between maintaining Israel’s Jewish state and the principles of democracy and equality for all citizens also including minorities like Arab Israelis. Issues like the status of Jerusalem, the the role of religious law in civil matters, and settlements in the West Bank exaggerate this tension.
For Israelis, For Palestinians, the longing for self-determination and sovereignty over their land is intertwined with their religious and cultural heritage.
For Palestinians, the longing is for their struggle for statehood and self-determination over their land, which is intertwined with their religious and cultural heritage. The presence of Israeli forces in the West Bank having restrictions on movement and control over their holy sites as the Al-Aqsa Mosque by Israeli settlements contributes to their grievances.
To move towards a solution, it is essential to address the political, social, and economic grievances of Israelis and Palestinians, also respecting their religious identities and rights… This requires leadership, dialogue, and a commitment to justice and mutual respect.
The writer is a student of BSIR at IIUI and a member of PYDIR.