The roots of the Israeli state are steeped in blood, betrayal, and terrorism. Long before the formal declaration of its independence in 1948, Zionist militias—primarily the Irgun, Haganah, and Lehi—waged a brutal campaign of violence not only against the indigenous Palestinian population but also against British authorities who administered the region under the Mandate system. These Zionist groups targeted civilians, bombed marketplaces, and even assassinated UN officials. The most notorious attack—the bombing of the King David Hotel in Jerusalem in 1946—killed 91 people, including British soldiers, diplomats, and civilians. Such actions, by today’s standards, would undoubtedly be classified as acts of terrorism.
These groups, led by individuals like Menachem Begin and Yitzhak Shamir—who ironically later became prime ministers of Israel—committed atrocities with the explicit goal of forcibly establishing a Zionist state in Palestine. The massacre at Deir Yassin in April 1948, where over 100 Palestinian villagers, including women and children, were slaughtered, marked the beginning of a violent ethnic cleansing campaign. By the time the state of Israel was declared, over 700,000 Palestinians had been expelled from their homes in what is known today as the Nakba—the Catastrophe.
From Occupation to Annihilation: Gaza as a Testimony of Genocide
Fast forward to the present day, and the legacy of brutality continues—most viciously in the Gaza Strip. The Israeli occupation has evolved into a systematic policy of extermination. Gaza, home to over 2.3 million Palestinians, has been subjected to recurring military onslaughts, devastating blockades, and an apartheid regime that chokes every aspect of life. The most recent military operations have resulted in catastrophic destruction—schools, hospitals, refugee camps, and even UN-run shelters have not been spared.
Israel has deliberately bombed food warehouses, bakeries, and water desalination plants, engineering a man-made famine in Gaza. Children, the most vulnerable, are dying not just from bombs but from starvation and disease. As of mid-2025, over 37,000 people have been killed in Gaza, including more than 15,000 children. This is no longer a military conflict—it is a genocide unfolding in real time.
The Israeli leadership, backed by far-right extremists, openly promotes the idea of transferring or eliminating the Palestinian population. The language used by Israeli ministers and politicians reflects not political discourse but genocidal intent. All the while, the world watches in silence, paralyzed by diplomatic inertia or constrained by geopolitical interests.
Expanding the War: Evil Designs Beyond Palestine
Israel’s ambitions, however, do not end with Gaza or the West Bank. Tel Aviv’s regional policy, shaped by militarism and expansionism, has increasingly threatened neighboring Muslim-majority countries:
- Lebanon remains under constant threat from Israeli incursions and airstrikes, primarily aimed at Hezbollah but often impacting civilians and infrastructure.
- Syria has suffered hundreds of Israeli air raids under the guise of targeting civilians & military, further destabilizing an already war-torn nation.
- Jordan, despite a peace treaty, faces continuous pressure on custodianship over Al-Aqsa Mosque, and fears annexation plans in the Jordan Valley.
- Egypt, while maintaining formal ties with Israel, contends with covert Israeli intelligence operations and border provocations in Sinai.
- Iran is falsely portrayed as Israel’s existential threat, with Israeli leaders repeatedly advocating for military strikes, violating international norms.
- Turkey has been targeted with cyber espionage and disinformation campaigns, especially for its vocal stance on Palestinian rights.
- Yemen has experienced Israeli airspace violations, and some reports suggest involvement in military coordination with anti-Houthi coalitions.
- Pakistan, although geographically distant, is routinely demonized in Israeli media and policy circles due to its nuclear capability and vocal support for Palestine.
Israel’s aggressive policies have widened the conflict zone. Its provocations are calculated attempts to drag the entire region into a larger war—one that may engulf the Middle East and beyond, threatening global peace and stability.
A Terrorist State Ignoring International Norms
Israel has defied over 100 United Nations resolutions. It continues to build illegal settlements, enforce collective punishment, and carry out extrajudicial killings. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has initiated investigations, but Israeli officials refuse to cooperate and are shielded by powerful allies. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC), often paralyzed by American vetoes, has failed to act decisively.
Even humanitarian organizations are targeted. In Gaza, aid workers and journalists have been killed. Convoys carrying food and medicine have been attacked. A nation that disregards international law, defies global consensus, and massacres civilians is, by definition, a rogue state. Israel, today, fits that description more than any other country.
The Global Awakening of the Muslim Ummah
But in the face of unimaginable brutality, a profound transformation is underway. The global Muslim Ummah, long divided by political rivalries, sectarianism, and external manipulation, is beginning to awaken. The realization is growing that unity is no longer a choice—it is a necessity for survival and dignity.
There are around 2 billion Muslims in the world—nearly one in every four human beings. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), with 57 member states, constitutes the second-largest intergovernmental body after the UN. Muslim countries hold some of the richest reserves of natural resources—oil, gas, rare earth minerals, and more. Strategically located across Africa, Asia, and Europe, Muslims have a significant role in global trade and security.
Moreover, Muslims contribute massively to science, education, commerce, and innovation. Muslim populations in non-Muslim countries—from Europe to North America—are vibrant communities with increasing political influence. Yet, the Muslim world has long lacked a unified, coordinated strategy to defend its interests and uplift its people.
Islamophobia and the Call for Dignity
One of the most painful realities today is the global rise in Islamophobia. Muslims are vilified, surveilled, excluded, and even killed for their faith. Hijab bans, mosque attacks, anti-Muslim laws, and media bias have become routine. The war on terror narrative, manipulated for decades, has contributed to the dehumanization of Muslims worldwide.
The common thread running through these injustices is the absence of collective Muslim response. The painful truth is that division has weakened the Ummah. However, this phase of humiliation may well be the catalyst for a new chapter of solidarity and strength.
The Way Forward: Reclaiming the Future
The Muslim world today stands at a historical crossroads. The atrocities in Palestine have shaken the conscience of billions and exposed the hypocrisy of global politics. But more importantly, they have reignited a deep sense of purpose among Muslims. Moving forward, the Ummah must pursue the following goals:
- Unity through Common Causes: Regardless of sectarian or political divides, Muslim nations must prioritize unity on issues of justice, sovereignty, and human rights—especially for Palestine.
- Strategic Cooperation: Establish joint economic, technological, and defense ventures. Pooling resources will increase self-reliance and collective bargaining power.
- Diplomatic Assertiveness: The OIC must evolve from a symbolic forum into an effective diplomatic bloc that can influence global decisions, including at the UN, IMF, and WTO.
- Support for Palestine: Financial, humanitarian, and political support for Gaza and the West Bank must be increased. Muslim countries should demand international accountability for Israeli war crimes.
- Countering Islamophobia: Muslim states must collaborate with global civil society to combat Islamophobia through education, advocacy, and legal mechanisms.
- Invest in Muslim Youth: The future lies in education, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Empowering Muslim youth is key to reclaiming the Ummah’s rightful place in global leadership.
- Media and Narrative Building: Establish global media platforms to counter disinformation, tell Muslim stories, and promote peace, dignity, and justice.
A Time for Moral Courage
The ongoing genocide in Gaza is not just a Palestinian tragedy—it is a defining moment for humanity. Israel’s impunity has pushed the limits of international tolerance. Its brutalities threaten to drag the region into a wider war. If the world remains silent, it will be complicit in the greatest humanitarian catastrophe of our time.
But amid the ashes of Gaza, hope rises. The Muslim Ummah is awakening. The cries of the oppressed are echoing in every corner of the globe. This is not a time for despair—it is a time for moral courage, solidarity, and visionary leadership. The future is not written yet. Muslims, united and empowered, can and must shape it—towards peace, justice, and human dignity for all.
Disclaimer:
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official editorial policy or position of Think Tank Journal. The analysis presented is solely the writer’s personal perspective.
