Gavin Evans

Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestine, in violation of UN resolutions, is described by many as the root cause of instability in the Middle East. Beyond this conflict, Iran or other neighbouring Muslim countries would have no inherent issue with Israel. Muslims, Jews, and Christians lived in Palestine for centuries in relative coexistence. Between 15,000 and 25,000 Jews still live in Iran today, where Muslims regard them as “People of the Book”, indeed cousins as descendants of Abraham. Historically, coexistence was possible, while Jews faced persecution in parts of Christian Europe. Many argue Iran is paying the price for supporting Palestinians while other Muslim-majority states remained silent. One does not need to be Einstein to grasp that reality. America, despite presenting itself as a beacon of liberty and having fought for independence in 1776, is widely seen as firmly backing Israel and, by extension, the occupation. Numerous Jewish scholars, Christian thinkers, American and European historians, and political commentators have argued that without American support, the occupation could not continue with such impunity. As a superpower, the United States has the capacity to help resolve the Palestinian issue in line with UN resolutions so that Muslims, Christians, and Jews can live peacefully together. Some point to factors such as AIPAC, Christian Zionism, the Bible Belt, or broader political and financial influences. Whatever one’s view, lasting peace requires political courage. If territorial ambitions dominate policy, violence will persist and may ultimately damage all sides. One thing is clear: people of conscience worldwide, including many Christians in Western countries who have protested, show that this is not fundamentally a religious conflict but a human rights issue. When people witness suffering, especially the recent loss of thousands of lives in Gaza affecting both Palestinians and Israelis, they call for accountability and a permanent, peaceful solution. Until then, peace will remain fragile. With wisdom, the Middle East could become safe, stable, and prosperous for all. #IsraelPalestine #HumanRights #MiddleEastPeace #InternationalLaw #UNResolutions #Diplomacy #Accountability #TwoStateSolution #GlobalPolitics