Covenant and Controversy - Part Four: Jewish Persecution by Islam

The Dome of the Rock located in Jerusalem, on the Temple Mount. It was completed in 691-692 CE, making it one of the oldest surviving works of Islamic architecture.

Introduction

Antisemitism, a longstanding prejudice against Jewish people, has evolved through various historical periods and remains a critical issue today. The Holocaust during the 1930s and 40s, a period marked by horrific atrocities against Jews, was not an isolated event but part of a continuum of antisemitism influenced by various cultural, religious, and political factors. This lesson explores the historical roots and modern expressions of antisemitism from Islam, examining its persistence and transformation over time.

Islamic Anti-Semitism in History

The Holocaust during the 1930s and 40s wasn't just a one-time horror; it was part of a long history of Christian anti-Judaism and broader antisemitism. Today, we see antisemitism merging with anti-Judaism and anti-Zionism. It's crucial to acknowledge the Jewish suffering of the past, take responsibility, and strive to prevent future suffering.

In 1945, Adolf Hitler's vision of a thousand-year Reich collapsed, and with it, the extensive network of Nazi concentration camps was dismantled. This marked the end of a dark period in Europe, a continent that had once celebrated the Renaissance, the Enlightenment, and the Reformation. However, similar ideologies have since taken root in other cultural contexts.

In 1943, during the peak of the Holocaust, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, actively worked against the Jewish people. He wrote to the Axis powers in Eastern Europe, urging them to prevent Jews from fleeing to British mandate Palestine, claiming they were seeking world domination. Husseini's letters from 1943 and 1944 show his support for Nazi Germany's goals and his opposition to Zionism.

Husseini even suggested that if Jews were to be relocated, they should be sent to a place where they could be controlled, like Poland. His correspondence with Nazi leaders like Hitler revealed a shared vision of eradicating Jews from Europe and, subsequently, from Arab lands under British protection.

Our generation faces unique challenges as old prejudices evolve. Looking back to the late 1800s, the increase in Jewish immigration to what was then called Palestine also led to larger Arab immigration due to the development and job opportunities. Jewish immigration to Palestine is often referred to in terms of "Aliyahs." During the First Aliyah (1882-1903) and the Second Aliyah (1904-1914), thousands of Jews, primarily from Eastern Europe and Russia, moved to Palestine. These immigrants were motivated by Zionist ideals but also fled economic hardships and pogroms (violent riots aimed at the massacre or expulsion of Jews). Although there was room for everyone, competition and territorial disputes began to surface.

The situation escalated in the 1930s under Haj Amin al-Husseini, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem. He was a confidant of Hitler and harbored deep antisemitism, which led to increased violence against Jews, including launching intifadas and other attacks. His influence helped embed antisemitism in groups like the Muslim Brotherhood, linking it back to the ideological partnership with Nazi Germany.

It's also important to note the historical actions of Muhammad, the founder of Islam who lived in the 7th century CE, who expelled and executed Jewish tribes in the Arabian Peninsula. In the early years of Muhammad’s prophetic mission, particularly during his time in Mecca, he sought to convert people to his newly founded religion, including the Jews. Muhammad’s migration (Hijra) in 622 CE from Mecca to Medina (then known as Yathrib), a city with a significant Jewish population, marked a turning point. Medina had several influential Jewish tribes, and initially, Muhammad established a form of social contract with them and the city’s other communities, known as the Constitution of Medina. This agreement outlined mutual obligations and cooperation in defense of the city. Relations deteriorated due the Jewish people not recognizing Muhammad as a prophet and conflicts with the Jewish tribes. This is the most severe case, where following the Battle of the Trench, the men of the Banu Qurayza were executed and the women and children were enslaved. These actions are part of the historical record and reflect the violent antisemitism that existed.

Muhammad's early career marked the beginning of his claim to prophethood and the start of a new religion, Islam. He encountered Christians in Arabia who believed they had replaced the Jews—a concept known as supersessionism. Muhammad then declared that Islam replaced both Christians and Jews.

Islamic Expression of Replacement Theology

Islam, in many ways, can be seen as a continuation of the idea of supersessionism but with added elements of endorsed militancy. When discussing antisemitism, it's not about comparing the worst Christian actions to the best Muslim behaviors. Rather, it’s about comparing religious texts. The Christian scriptures, both Old and New Testament, don't inherently support the antisemitism historically shown by the Church. However, Islamic texts like the Quran and Hadith seem to provide justifications and even commands for violence against Jews.

The latter portions of the Quran, believed to supersede earlier teachings, include sections that are overtly negative toward Jews. Despite many Muslims choosing to prioritize their personal conscience over these harsh statements, Islamic scriptures are filled with negative portrayals of Jews, describing them as war-mongers and non-believers disliked by Allah.

In Islamic theology, there is a concept known as dhimmitude, which translates to 'subjugated peoples' in English. This means that Jews and Christians can live under Islamic rule but only as second-class citizens, whereas pagans face conversion or death. During the initial centuries of Islam, Jews were weakened and humiliated under Islamic rule, forced to pay a tax called jizya and live in a demeaned status.

Historically, Jews under Islamic rule were not seen as a significant threat because of their subjugated status, which is why there isn't much propaganda from that era about them in Islamic writings. During the golden age of the Islamic caliphate, Jews were considered of little importance.

Jews and Christians, known as dhimmis, were often forced to wear distinctive clothing or patches, a practice that later influenced similar discriminatory practices in Nazi Germany. This visible subjugation served as a reminder of their dominated status, a real-time demonstration of supersessionism.

Leading historians like Robert Wistrich and Bernard Lewis have argued that historically, Christians were often more violently antisemitic than Muslims. However, the key point isn't about comparing the severity of treatment but understanding the different origins and expressions of this hatred. Notably, collective Islamic hatred towards Jews didn't emerge significantly until the 1920s.

In the 1920s, two major events reshaped the world following World War I: the Ottoman Empire collapsed, and the Islamic Caliphate was dismantled. Around the same time, large numbers of Jewish immigrants began fleeing to British mandate Palestine from antisemitism, expulsions, and pogroms in Europe, particularly Ukraine and Russia. This influx, especially post-Holocaust, significantly altered the Islamic perception of Jews. Previously seen as weak and subjugated, Jews were now viewed as Zionist aggressors with ambitions of global influence.

Consider the aftermath of the Holocaust: two-thirds of European Jews were killed, including over a million children. Following this devastation, the modern state of Israel was established. In its early years, despite being under-equipped, Israel survived attacks from neighboring Arab countries, including the Six-Day War in 1967. This led many to believe that Israel's survival was divinely ordained, fulfilling prophecies.

Modern Day Islamic Anti-Semitism

Fast forward to today, and the perspective of the younger generation is quite different. They're removed from the Holocaust and the formation of Israel. Their perception is shaped by current events, seeing Israel as oppressive towards Palestinians.

In the summer of 2014, during Operation Protective Edge, a significant military conflict between the Israeli army and groups like Islamic Jihad and Hamas in Gaza, global protests erupted. Cities worldwide saw demonstrations against what many perceived as an apartheid Zionist regime.

The conflict and these protests sparked debates about whether antisemitism is resurging or if it’s overstated. Shockingly, there were instances of extreme hate speech, like protesters in Florida advocating for violence against Jews, and chants in Germany echoing Holocaust horrors.

These events highlight a troubling selective outrage: global attention often focuses intensely on conflicts involving Jews, while other ongoing genocides and crises receive far less attention.

This selective attention is a modern reflection of deep-seated antisemitism, mixing ancient biases with modern narratives. It's a kind of hatred that didn’t end with the Holocaust but found new ground to grow in today’s world.

Imagine being surrounded by nations openly wanting to wipe out Israel and hearing chants like "Death to Israel" from Iran. It's easy to think we’d stand up against such hatred, but history shows that most people don’t. The Nazis had to fabricate justifications for their actions, but nowadays, misconceptions and altered narratives can easily fuel a resurgence of antisemitism.

Consider historical context: once a land is conquered in Islam, it is never truly relinquished. For instance, Spain was once under Muslim control, and its reclamation by the Spanish is still a sore point hundreds of years later. The idea of Jerusalem and other historically Muslim lands under Jewish control is similarly unthinkable to many today.

This theological hostility is apparent when you see neighborhood walls in Poland, just miles from Auschwitz, painted with slogans like "Anti-Jude" and "Free Palestine." These sentiments make you question if modern anti-Zionism is just a new form of the ancient antisemitism.

Even the Quran has passages recognizing the land of Israel as given to the Jewish people by Allah. The animosity towards Jews isn't new; it predates the modern state of Israel by over a millennium, originating from early Islamic texts that call for violence against Jews. These calls for genocide were not based on political states like Israel, which didn't even exist at the time.

Just a few years ago, the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem announced on national TV that Muslims must kill Jews as part of a divine prophecy. This terrifying belief that killing Jews is a service to God echoes the dangerous ideology of the Nazis, who justified their atrocities in the name of national greatness.

Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Hamas and Palestinian Islam

Hamas is a Palestinian Islamist political organization and militant group that has been a significant player in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since its inception in 1987. Originating as an offshoot of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hamas was established during the First Intifada (Palestinian uprising) against Israeli rule in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The organization operates primarily in the Gaza Strip but also has a presence in the West Bank.

Hamas' ideology is rooted in Islamist principles and seeks the establishment of an Islamic state in the historical Palestine. It is known for its staunch opposition to Israel's existence. The group's 1988 charter called for the replacement of Israel and the Palestinian territories with an Islamic Palestinian state. However, in 2017, Hamas issued a new document of principles that accepted the formation of a Palestinian state based on the 1967 borders, which is seen as a more pragmatic approach compared to its original charter.

Hamas has a significant military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, which has conducted numerous attacks, including suicide bombings, rocket firings, and armed assaults against Israeli civilian and military targets. Due to these activities, Hamas is designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel, the United States, Canada, and the European Union. These designations are primarily based on the group’s use of violence and its commitment to opposing Israeli statehood through armed struggle.

Hamas has been involved in several conflicts with Israel, notably the intense confrontations in 2008-2009, 2012, 2014, and the ongoing tensions that frequently escalate into violence. The group's use of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli territory and its construction of tunnels for military purposes have been central features of these conflicts.

2023 Israel-Gaza War

The recent events in Israel and Gaza have been marked by significant violence and humanitarian crises. The conflict, which reignited with full intensity on October 7, 2023, began when Hamas launched a comprehensive assault from Gaza, targeting southern Israel with a barrage of rockets. This was characterized as a surprise attack and was followed by an extensive Israeli military response that has included airstrikes and a ground operation.

As of now, the conflict has resulted in substantial casualties and damage. More than 79,000 people have been injured and over 1,100 Israelis and nearly 500 Palestinians in the West Bank have been killed. The situation in Gaza is particularly dire, with a significant portion of the infrastructure damaged or destroyed, including homes, hospitals, schools, and commercial facilities. Humanitarian efforts have been severely hampered, with many residents lacking access to basic necessities like food, water, and medical care.

There is a lack of progress in ceasefire talks, despite international efforts. The situation remains tense with ongoing military actions and no immediate resolution in sight. The broader geopolitical implications are also significant, with impacts on regional stability and international relations.

This war that was initiated by Hamas is an ongoing example of the long standing Anti-Semitic history and hatred that exists within Islam. There have been many civilian casualties since the start of this war. Many protestors have supported Palestine calling for a ceasefire to protect innocent civilians, humanitarian aid and support for Palestinian refugees, and are opposed to what is perceived as Israeli aggression. What we all need to consider is that this war is not so simple. It is a modern day expression of hundreds of years of conflict. It is in many ways biblical and is fueled by a hatred for the Jewish people.

As Christians, we have to ask ourselves many questions and are called to see Israel through a different lens than the rest of the world. They are not a perfect people, but they are God’s chosen people. Their future and fate are at the hands of the God of Israel.

Conclusion

Today, the blend of historical antisemitism with contemporary geopolitical conflicts creates a complex landscape where old prejudices are repackaged in new forms. Understanding this historical context is crucial for addressing and combating the roots of antisemitism effectively. As global citizens, it is our responsibility to recognize these patterns, educate ourselves, and actively work towards a world where such prejudices find no place.