No Peace in Israel Without a Muslim Reckoning

The article argues that lasting peace in Israel requires a fundamental shift in Muslim religious and political thought regarding Jewish sovereignty. The author, an expert in Muslim affairs, contends that current interfaith dialogue often underestimates deep disagreements, particularly concerning Israel. While some Muslim nations may pragmatically tolerate Israel, this differs from affirming its moral legitimacy and right to endure. The article identifies several theological and political frameworks that contribute to the resistance against permanent Jewish sovereignty, including interpretations of Muhammad's conflicts with Jewish communities, Jihad, the concepts of "house of Islam" and "house of war," the dhimma system, and the idea of Waqf (land once governed by Muslims remaining perpetually Muslim). It also highlights how modern Islamists disseminate these narratives through digital platforms, naming several individuals who actively spread this viewpoint. The author emphasizes that a transformed Muslim political theology must abandon the belief that Jewish-governed land is temporary and release modern Jews from ancient religious war narratives found in certain interpretations of the Qur’an and Hadith, which often cast Jews as a timeless enemy, making compromise difficult and imbuing violence with cosmic meaning.