God V. Allah

Israel’s First Religious War

For decades, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was framed as a political struggle between two national communities. The arguments revolved around borders, refugees, and security, sometimes even about the right of the other to exist. Palestinians wanted to drive Israelis into the sea, while Israel refused to recognize the existence of a Palestinian people. “There is no such thing as a Palestinian people,” Golda Meir declared in her ignorance. “There is no partner,” Ehud Barak insisted in his arrogance. These were painful disputes, yet they remained disputes that could, at least in theory, be resolved. Maps were drawn, envoys dispatched, principles articulated. For years, this was a confrontation that might be solved. But after October 7 and the atrocities of Hamas and Israel in return, it is far from certain that such a solution is still possible.

The current war in Gaza has changed the equation. This is no longer an ordinary political clash; it is Israel’s first religious war. No longer interests that can be compromised, but Commandments versus Jihad, messianism against divine promises. And when God stands at the center of the battlefield, no one can sign a peace accord at the negotiating table.

Hamas: Nationalism as Shell, Faith as Core

Hamas is, above all else, a religious movement. Its charter declares that all of Palestine is waqf; sacred endowment:
“The Islamic Resistance Movement believes that the land of Palestine is an Islamic waqf consecrated for future Muslim generations until Judgment Day. It must not be neglected, nor can any part of it be relinquished.”

The struggle with Hamas is therefore not about the 1967 borders or 1948’s. But about divine decree. Martyrdom is not loss but fulfillment. Jerusalem is not a political option but a religious duty. The ultimate vision is not local peace but a global caliphate. “Israel, by virtue of its being Jewish and of having a Jewish population, defies Islam and the Muslims” (Article 28). To expect a compromise with this Hamas is to expect Allah Himself to sign a new Oslo Accord. Hardly realistic.

Israel’s “Full Right” Government: Commandment as Policy

Nor is Israel any longer guided solely by security concerns. Leading ministers proclaim openly that this war is a religious obligation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declares his messianic vision:
“The State of Israel, the state of the Jewish people, with God’s help, will return to being governed as it was in the days of King David and King Solomon. My long-term desire is that Israel be run according to the Torah. The more we advance Torah and Judaism, the more the Holy One, blessed be He, will bless us.”

His colleague, the far more populist Itamar Ben-Gvir, openly follows the path of Meir Kahane, Israel’s most notorious racist rabbi in modern times: “A prophet lived in our city, a leader lived in our land. We continue in his path.”

He insists on ascending the Temple Mount to “restore sovereignty over the holiest place.” Rabbis surrounding this coalition preach in public that “the Arabs of Gaza are Amalek and the commandment is to annihilate Amalek.” Genocide, straight from scripture. Political restraints collapse under theological exhortations.

Between Hamas rule and Netanyahu’s coalition, Israel is now locked in its first true religious war.

Interests Can Be Negotiated. God Cannot.

History teaches us that political wars end with documents; religious wars less so. Europe’s wars of religion raged for centuries until the lesson of separating church and state was finally absorbed. As long as disputes remain political, there is hope. Once they turn theological, solutions recede. For how can anyone compromise on a divine promise?

Thus soldiers are dispatched to Gaza not to protect civilians but to begin the “purification” of all the land of Israel. Gaza is the gate to the west bank. Budgets flow to settlements not as a security measure but as a religious duty. Democracy itself bends under the weight of messianism. On the other side, Palestinians drown in blood and ruin as Hamas sacrifices its people on the altar of Allah. This is a cycle of mutual fanaticism: each side confirming its faith through blood and fire, each side sanctifying hatred. And I do not see the profound difference

So long as the conflict was secular, about borders, security, and rights, it could be negotiated. Now that it has become the language of religion. God against Allah, Halakha versus Sharia, rabbis at odds with imams. The chances of peace fade. The urgency is immense: time is running out to return this conflict to a political track before it is sealed behind walls of faith.

A Choice Still Possible

This is a grave responsibility. Are we prepared to entrust our future to politicians who believe the Almighty runs the cabinet meetings? Will we trade the possibility of a hard but achievable compromise for an endless holy war with no winners?

We can still choose life. But only if we refuse to let God conduct our wars, or our peace. Not God, and not the charlatans who claim to speak in His name. If they insist, let them fight each other. We should step aside, and wish them both the best of luck. And move on towards the difficult but necessary reconciliation.