Beyond Religion: Understanding the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Let’s be real—many people approach global events with a lot of emotion, especially when religion comes into play. It’s easy to get caught up in this, but that often clouds the bigger picture. Nowhere is this more obvious than in how we talk about the Israel-Palestine conflict.

Here in Nigeria, many see it as just Christians versus Muslims. It’s like we forget that this conflict is decades old, with deep political, historical, and territorial roots. If you’re picking a side based purely on your faith, you might be missing the real story.

First off, this isn’t just a religious war. Both Jews and Palestinians have ancient ties to the land. And let’s not forget, there are Muslims, Christians, and even secular people on both sides. So, no, it’s not a clean "religion versus religion" narrative. The roots run deeper.

When the State of Israel was created in 1948, it stirred up long-standing tensions over who controls what. Wars followed. Land, power, and the right to exist have been central issues—not just faith. The sooner we understand that, the clearer things become.

Another misunderstanding? Thinking this is just about Muslims vs. Jews. Iran, for example, is heavily involved—not because of religion, but because of politics. Iran’s rivalry with Israel is based on opposing its existence as a nation, not some religious mandate.

Iran backs groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, stirring the pot in the region to keep tensions high. Why? Political leverage. It’s about power and influence, not some holy mission. When we reduce this to a religious war, we miss the geopolitical stakes.

Now, let’s face it—both Israelis and Palestinians have suffered. It’s not a simple good versus evil situation. Civilians on both sides pay the price for the larger political games being played. Yes, Iran supports Palestinian fighters, and yes, Israel retaliates. But that’s part of a broader struggle for security and survival, not a divine clash.

Some Nigerians talk about God’s divine intervention, whether for Israel or Palestine. But that view skips over real-world facts. The U.S. backs Israel with financial and military aid, not angels. And Iran’s backing of Palestinian groups? It’s strategic, not spiritual.

The Middle East conflict isn’t a religious battle, and it won’t be solved by religious zeal. The real solution? Diplomacy,  the region is realizing that economic cooperation benefits everyone more than endless fighting.

It’s time we move beyond the religious lens when discussing the Israel-Palestine conflict. It’s about history, politics, and people. True peace will come when both sides acknowledge each other’s right to exist and work toward a solution that’s fair. It’s not about divine plans or religious allegiance—it’s about securing a better future for everyone involved.