Topsy turvy world

The war between Israel and Hamas has been a focal point of international attention, sparking intense emotions and reactions worldwide. One of the most shocking is seeing international bodies and organizations devoted to “peace” show an ardent equivocation between the actions of Israel, a force for good in the world, and Hamas, the face of pure evil. While many factors contribute to the visceral hatred toward Israel, (one being the Marxist based dialectic of oppressor and victim), a significant aspect lies in religious and cultural perceptions. This article explores how the strength of Israel and its active defense against Hamas clash with deeply ingrained religious views in Islam and Christianity, leading to profound anger and murderous equivocation of Israel and Hamas among followers of these faiths.

In Islamic theology, Jews are traditionally viewed as a subordinate group, with historical texts describing them as a people who rejected Islam’s prophet and divine messages. The Quran and Hadiths often portray Jews as having deviated from God’s path, leading to their perceived lower status within Islamic eschatology. The notion of Jews exhibiting significant strength and resilience strongly contradicts these religious teachings, creating a sense of dissonance to say the least  among Muslims.

Christianity, particularly in its traditional Roman Catholic and Protestant forms, has also has a complex relationship with Judaism. Historically, Jews were often seen as the people who rejected Jesus, leading to centuries of anti-Semitism and persecution. The idea that Jews must remain passive and penitent has been a persistent theme. They see tragedies such as the Holocaust as divine punishment for rejecting Jesus. The rise of a strong super power level and assertive Israel challenged these long-standing beliefs, provoking a conscious  and subconscious dissonance among some Christians. This cognitive dissonance translates in to hatred of Israel and assessing it as the root of all evil

Israel’s modern military capabilities and its assertive stance in defending itself starkly contrast with the historical and religious narratives of Jewish passivity. This strength and determination undermine the traditional views held by both Islam and Christianity, which expect Jews to remain subservient and humble. The sight of a powerful Jewish state defending its sovereignty not only disrupts these religious expectations but also challenges the historical justification for their subjugation.

For  Muslims, seeing Israel overpower Hamas, a devoutly Islamic group, feels like a profound defeat that contradicts their religious texts. Similarly, traditional Christians might struggle with the cognitive dissonance of witnessing a thriving Jewish state that does not conform to the expected narrative of perpetual victimhood and suffering in ignominy.

The clash between Israel’s current reality and these deep-seated religious beliefs can trigger strong reactions on both conscious and unconscious levels. Consciously, individuals might express anger and hostility toward Israel, viewing its actions as unjust or evil. Unconsciously, this reaction is fueled by a disruption of their ingrained religious worldviews, where Jews are not supposed to hold such power or autonomy.

The intense reactions toward Israel’s actions in the war with Hamas are not solely about geopolitical issues but are also deeply intertwined with religious and cultural beliefs. The strength and resilience of Israel challenge longstanding religious narratives in both Islam and Christianity, leading to profound hatred  and visceral anger. This translates to a clear support for evil over goodness and the topsy turvy view of so many that Israel is the evil aggressor in this war. Understanding these underlying factors provides a clearer perspective on the “topsy turvy”  reactions and responses that shape the discourse around this war amongst Christian Europeans and Muslims.