Causes of the Palestine-Israel Crisis as Perceived by Israeli Muslims

Abstract

Generally, a great number of papers, books, theses, scholarly conferences have been dedicated to causes of the Israeli-Arabconfrontation, and the problem in question will still be explored in its complexity and diversity. The aforementioned assault, launched by Hamas, once again attracted attention of the world community and of specialists of the domain. The tragedy was followed by unprecedented large-scale rallies supporting Palestinians held in various cities all over the world. In some countries, people were split and confronted each other, whereby some supported the quite legitimate military activities, carried out by Israel, while others, alongside demanding avoidance of innocent victims, appeal against incessant oppression of Palestinian Arabs. Irrespective of the fact that the history of Israel abounds in instances of peaceful cohabitation of Palestinian Arabs and Jews, notonly various layers of populations of various countries, but also academic circles frequently posit the theory about the incompatibility of Palestinian Arabs and Jews, having been corroborated by discussions on demographic, economic and confessional causes. We can in no way accept this attitude; thus, in the present paper, we will do our best to answer the question whether there actually is insurmountable antagonism between Muslim communities and the state in Israel, where is the main watershed in the relationship between the majority and minorities, and, aside already discussed and explored causes, what other factors facilitate intensification of Islamist extremism and what conditions facilitate Muslims’ peaceful cohabitation and integration in Israel.