How did the rise of religious fundamentalism influence the trajectory of the Arab-Israeli conflict?

The rise of religious fundamentalism intensified the Arab-Israeli conflict, adding a religious dimension to the primarily political and territorial dispute.

Religious fundamentalism, which advocates for a return to the fundamental principles of a religion, has significantly influenced the trajectory of the Arab-Israeli conflict. This influence is particularly evident in the rise of Islamist movements and the increasing role of religion in Israeli politics.

In the Arab world, the rise of religious fundamentalism led to the emergence of Islamist movements such as Hamas and Hezbollah. These groups, driven by a religiously motivated ideology, view the conflict with Israel as a religious duty, thus making any compromise or peace agreement more difficult. For instance, Hamas, which emerged during the First Intifada in 1987, does not recognise Israel's right to exist and calls for an Islamic state in all of historic Palestine. This uncompromising stance, rooted in religious fundamentalism, has contributed to the escalation of the conflict and the failure of peace initiatives.

In Israel, the rise of religious Zionism has similarly added a religious dimension to the conflict. Religious Zionists view the establishment and expansion of Israel as a fulfilment of biblical prophecy. This belief has been used to justify the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied territories, a major source of tension in the conflict. Moreover, the influence of religious parties in Israeli politics has grown over the years, further entrenching the role of religion in the conflict.

The rise of religious fundamentalism has also led to an increase in religiously motivated violence. This includes acts of terrorism by Islamist groups and acts of violence by Jewish extremists, such as the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in 1995 by a religious Zionist opposed to the Oslo Accords.

In conclusion, the rise of religious fundamentalism has significantly influenced the trajectory of the Arab-Israeli conflict. By adding a religious dimension to the conflict, it has made compromise more difficult, escalated violence, and undermined peace initiatives. As such, understanding the role of religious fundamentalism is crucial to understanding the complexities of the Arab-Israeli conflict.