In the wake of the tragic Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, reactions around the world have varied significantly. Many people expressed shock and sympathy for the victims, as the attack resulted in the deaths of over 1,200 Israelis, including men, women, and children. The brutality of the assault, which included torture and hostage-taking, shocked those outside of Muslim or Arab nations.
However, as time passed, some voices began to shift towards a more balanced view. They highlighted the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank, often framing Hamas’s actions as a response to alleged Israeli oppression. This narrative suggests that the violence stemmed from long-standing grievances rather than being driven solely by hatred.
Yardena Schwartz’s new book, "Ghosts of a Holy War," sheds light on the historical roots of Arab hostility towards Jews, arguing that this animosity predates the establishment of Israel. Schwartz, a journalist with a decade of experience living in Israel, traces the origins of this conflict back to the early 20th century. She highlights the 1929 massacre of Jews in Hebron, which was incited by Arab leaders who used inflammatory rhetoric against Jewish residents.
Schwartz points out that the 1917 Balfour Declaration, which promised a national home for the Jewish people, was seen by Arabs as a betrayal. This declaration led to increased Jewish immigration to Palestine, causing fear and resentment among the Arab population. The tensions escalated into violence, with the first major riots occurring in 1920, where a large group of Arabs attacked Jewish residents in Jerusalem.
The author emphasizes that many Jewish immigrants purchased land legally from Arab landowners, yet their modern agricultural practices and progressive lifestyles were met with suspicion. This fear was manipulated by demagogues, leading to widespread violence against Jewish communities. Schwartz recounts how the Grand Mufti of Jerusalem, Haj Amin al-Husseini, played a key role in inciting violence against Jews, using false claims to rally support among Muslims.
Despite the clear evidence of Arab instigation during the 1929 riots, British authorities placed much of the blame on Jewish actions, recommending restrictions on Jewish immigration and land purchases. This pattern of appeasing Arab demands continued, often at the expense of Jewish safety and rights.
Schwartz’s narrative also touches on the troubling legacy of the Mufti, who allied with the Nazis during World War II and spread anti-Jewish propaganda. His influence persisted long after the war, shaping the views of future Palestinian leaders, including Yasser Arafat.
The book serves as a reminder that the roots of this conflict run deep, and understanding its history is crucial for addressing current tensions. Schwartz argues that the ongoing hostility is not merely a reaction to political or economic conditions but is deeply embedded in a historical context that predates the state of Israel.
In the aftermath of the recent violence, Schwartz’s insights challenge the notion that Palestinian animosity towards Israel is solely a response to oppression. Instead, they suggest a more complex interplay of historical grievances and deeply ingrained hostilities. As discussions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict continue, her work calls for a more nuanced understanding of the factors at play.