In 1929, Hebron did not have the presence of ISIS, Hamas, or an ongoing occupation. However, there existed a similar murderous mentality and cultural disposition that can be observed among our Arab neighbors. This mentality was deeply ingrained in the Arab community and its culture, with instances like a brother murdering his sister to protect the family’s honor, a father slaughtering his daughter for disobedience, or a man taking the life of his wife due to suspicions of infidelity. This cultural environment devalued human life.
In 1929, the Arab inhabitants of Hebron committed horrifying acts against their Jewish neighbors, including the brutal killing of men, women, and children, sexual assaults on women, beheadings, and desecration of bodies. Shockingly, these atrocities were perpetrated by individuals who had, mere hours before, engaged in commerce with the Jewish community and sought medical aid from a Jewish doctor.
Facing a mentality that glorifies violence, bloodshed, and relentless cruelty, the Jewish nation stands for sanctity of life and yearning for peace. Devout Jews offer prayers three times a day, beseeching, “May God grant strength to His people and bless them with peace”.
Israeli children are raised on songs that champion peace. Each generation with its unique songs, reflecting an enduring thirst for peace. This yearning for tranquility, deeply rooted in Jewish culture, encounters a challenge when confronted by the unfathomable mentality of our neighbors, who sanctifies war and bloodshed, juxtaposed with the sanctity of life within the Israeli populace.
This substantial cultural divide perplexes many Jews who struggle to comprehend the Arab mindset, often attempting to pursue peace with them due to their lack of knowledge and understanding of the other side’s culture, all the while neglecting historical context and past experiences.
Unfamiliarity with the adversary’s culture, disregarding historical lessons, and twisting reality to align with their own worldviews, are the errors and omissions of all peace advocates, repeatedly leading us into tragic and victimizing situations.
Three decades ago, the State of Israel entered into the Oslo Accords with the Palestinian terrorist organization. Israel promptly fulfilled its commitments within the agreement, which included withdrawing from territories, transferring authority, and facilitating the establishment of an armed Palestinian police force. However, the Palestinians failed to honor their side of the accord. Furthermore, just a few months after the signing, Arafat delivered a speech in Johannesburg where he advocated for the continuation of the struggle, the Jihad, with the ultimate goal being the conquest of Jerusalem. Arafat also equated the Oslo Accords to the Khudibayya agreement. The Treaty of Hudaybiyah was a peace pact that Prophet Muhammad concluded with the leaders of the Quraish tribe from Mecca. Once Muhammad had amassed sufficient power, he violated this agreement, catching the unprepared Quraish tribe by surprise and resulting in a massacre.
This declaration left no room for doubt among those in Israel advocating for peace. It became evident that the Palestinians had no genuine intent for peace, and that the Oslo Accords had been crafted with the intention of perplexing, numbing, and, above all, enabling the Palestinians to amass power for a future assault aimed at eliminating the Zionist entity. Surprisingly, even Arafat’s unambiguous statements could not dishearten Israeli peace proponents, preventing them from shedding their illusions about peace and recognizing that the Arabs harbored no genuine aspirations for peace.
For the past three decades since the Oslo Accords were signed, the Palestinians have not abandoned the path of violence and terrorism. The Palestinian Authority’s leadership allocates hundreds of millions of dollars annually, using support funds received, to provide financial assistance to the families of terrorists who have killed Israelis and Jews. Within Palestinian Authority schools, children are exposed to indoctrination that fosters intense hatred toward Israel and Jews.
The recent attack carried out by Hamas and residents of Gaza against the inhabitants of southern Israel on October 7, 2023, is rooted in the mentality of Islamic culture. The widespread support that this attack received from various Muslim countries, ranging from Malaysia and Indonesia in the East to Morocco in the West, serves as evidence that what Western culture perceives as inhumanity is regarded in Islamic culture as heroism and a sacred act.
While Hamas played a leading role in the massacre, all Gaza residents bear some responsibility for the incident. After the terrorists breached the border using motorcycles and vehicles loaded with weapons and ammunition, thousands of Palestinians crossed into Israeli territory from Gaza. They participated in the violence, engaged in abductions of women and girls to Gaza, and committed acts of robbery and looting.
The conflict between Israel and the Palestinians extends beyond local boundaries. It’s a part of the broader struggle between those who cherish life and those who prioritize blood and honor. The triumph of Israel would signify a victory for the enlightened and moral world, which values life, over the dark and violent world.
Oct 18, 2023