Part 9/12:
The Ideological Root of the Conflict
Critics argue that the core problem in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is not merely territorial disputes but an entrenched ideology. Extremist Islamist groups—including Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad, ISIS, al-Qaeda, and the Muslim Brotherhood—drive much of the violence and rejection of Israel’s right to exist.
Attempts by Western nations to solve the conflict by promoting statehood alone are seen as naïve. The ideological challenge—an intolerance of Israel’s existence and a preference for jihad—has historically prevented the achievement of a peaceful two-state solution. Rooting out extremism, therefore, must be the priority, not merely creating new political entities.