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Palestine-Israel Conflict. Is it a religious conflict?
In 2014 I wrote my Extended Project Qualification about the conflict in Palestine. It’s sad that 6 years later, I am here writing one again. I’ve had to have repeated conversations recently about this conflict, where it started, why there’s no change and why should we care? This article aims to run through these topics, in a series, starting with the history and exploring the relationship between Muslims and Jews over the years.
Is it a religious tension?
How can we prove that it’s not a religious tension? Let’s look back at the relationship between the Muslims and Jews, during the conquest of Jerusalem in 638CD by Umar ibn Al-Khattāb. Umar ibn Al-Khattāb was a caliph, a companion, and second father-in-law of Prophet Muhammad. The army of Islam overthrew many cities which were formerly under Christian ruling with the support from Jews in which the Jews hoped that they would be free of Christian persecution. Jews supported the Muslims by guiding, providing food, and fighting side by side with the Muslims.
In 636 CE, when Umar made his way to Jerusalem, the Jews asked him to allow 200 families onto the land of Jerusalem. However, Umar had to bargain with the Christians, the patriarch at the time was against the suggestion. Therefore Umar was able to offer 70 families land in Jerusalem…
