When will the Israeli occupation of the Holy Land end? The frequent reports of torture and killing of innocent Palestinians vividly illustrate Israel’s violation of human rights. Their pursuit of a recognised state comes at a high cost.
The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, fuelled by historical, political, and religious factors, requires continuous attention. Beyond being an Arab country, Palestine should be recognised as a place of peace and of the preservation of ancient monotheistic traditions (Islam, Judaism, and Christianity). Despite global pleas, Israeli forces persist in their attacks, aiming to conquer the state.
I want to highlight a less-explored perspective: the crime committed by Israel today against one of the prophets, namely Jacob. Exploring Jacob’s biography reveals that his title, ‘Israel’, translates to ‘Isra’ (slave) and ‘El’ (Allah) in Hebrew, equivalent to ‘Abdullah’ in Arabic. This noble title suggests unwavering devotion to Allah, reflecting in actions that only please Him. This reverence should extend to Jacob’s successors, known as Bani Israel in Arabic, emphasising the inheritance of piety.
The prolonged promotion of the ‘Promised Land’ narrative by Israelis, rooted in their belief in a divine promise contingent on piety, drives them to persist in violating the sacredness of the land. Despite a recent ceasefire agreement on Nov 24, they resume hostilities. If they had followed the commands of Prophet Moses, a descendant of Israel, and avoided actions that angered Allah, ethnic cleansing could have been averted. The absence of intervention by Arab rulers compounds the suffering of Palestinians, deprived of necessities.
The ongoing attempt to occupy Palestinian territories for over 70 years, supported by global powers like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, highlights Israel’s failure, despite its advanced weaponry. The crime resonates as the greatest offence against the prophet called Israel.
Despite international discussions and outcry, little effort is made to address the conflict and to protect the Palestinians. The escalating violence by Jewish settlers, especially against Palestinian children near holy sites, is disheartening. A lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remains highly challenging.
Promoting understanding, empathy, and dialogue can foster a nuanced discussion, paving the way for an independent Palestinian state. The hope persists for a just, lasting peace agreement that considers the legitimate concerns of all parties. Above all, humanity and peace should prevail, transcending backgrounds. The issue goes beyond land loss, encompassing soul, history, and the future of the Palestinians.
Syazwan Naim Ibrahim is a lecturer at the Department of Arabic and Middle Eastern Languages, Faculty of Languages and Linguistics, Universiti Malaya.
The views expressed here are the personal opinion of the writer and do not necessarily represent that of Twentytwo13.
