Rubin: Understanding the Middle East ― a clash of civilizations

David Rubin

Submitted photo

The ongoing hostilities in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Gaza, and more recently between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, often leave Americans perplexed. Many wonder, “Why can’t they just sit down and settle things like we do in the West?” The simple answer is this: the Middle East is nothing like the West. To truly understand the dynamics of this region, it’s essential to grasp not just the geopolitical struggles but the fundamental ideological differences that have shaped these conflicts for centuries.

Israel: A Western democracy in the Middle East

First and foremost, let’s acknowledge that Israel, despite its geographical location, is far more aligned with Western values than any of its Muslim neighbors. Israel is a democracy with a rule of law grounded in the Old Testament, which forms the basis of Christian legal and moral systems as well. The values that have shaped American democracy— justice, human rights and the pursuit of peace—are deeply embedded in Israel’s founding and governance.

Israel and the U.S. share a commitment to freedom of religion, free speech and democratic governance. However, that’s where the similarities end, particularly when compared with the rest of the Middle East. Americans often try to apply Western ideals of diplomacy and negotiation to conflicts that have deep-rooted ideological differences. But in the Middle East, it’s not that simple.

Islam and the doctrine of conquest

To understand the dynamics between Israel and its Muslim neighbors, one must confront a difficult truth: Islam, as a political and religious force, is fundamentally different from both Judaism and Christianity. Islam, from its inception, has been deeply connected with the concept of conquest and domination. While Christianity teaches turning the other cheek and Judaism preaches justice through law, Islam, as codified in texts like the Qur’an and Hadith, includes directives for expanding Islamic influence through jihad (holy war), which is terrorism on steroids.

For many Muslims, especially those in radical groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, peace is not the same as the Western ideal of coexistence. Peace, in Islamic terms, often refers to the establishment of Islamic rule or dominion over non-Muslim territories. In this view, peace is achieved when the whole world either submits to Islam or is controlled by it.

Why peace seems elusive

This is why the concept of “peace” in the Middle East is fraught with challenges. The Western understanding of peace — a negotiated settlement, mutual recognition and coexistence — clashes with the deeply ingrained ideology of Islamic supremacy held by groups like Hamas. For these groups, Israel’s very existence is seen as an affront to Islamic doctrine, which calls for the restoration of Muslim rule over lands once ruled by Islam.

Many Americans wonder why Israel doesn’t simply offer the Palestinians a state or negotiate further. But the truth is, Israel has made offers for peace numerous times — offering land, political concessions, and coexistence — but these offers have been consistently rejected because the underlying issue is not about borders or sovereignty. It’s about the very existence of a Jewish state in the Middle East.

The Palestinian question

Let’s address the question of the so-called Palestinians. Why, people ask, are they still stateless, and why don’t other Muslim countries take them in? The reality is that the surrounding Arab nations — like Jordan or Lebanon — have had opportunities to absorb Palestinian populations but have refused. Israel, for its part, has allowed Palestinians to live and work within its borders, offering them rights and economic opportunities that they don’t have in neighboring Arab countries. Yet, many Palestinians reject this because they don’t want peace with Israel — they want an end to Israel.

Israel’s fight is the West’s fight

At its core, the conflict between Israel and radical Islamic groups is not just about land or nationalism. It’s about an ideological war — a clash between a small Western-aligned democracy and radical groups driven by a doctrine of conquest. Israel’s fight against terrorism is not just a local issue; it’s a global struggle against the ideology that motivates these groups. The West must understand that radical Islam is not interested in peaceful coexistence. It seeks dominance, and the fight against Israel is part of a broader strategy.

For those in the West who wonder why there can’t be peace, the answer is that true peace is incompatible with the radical Islamic vision of the world. Israel is not just defending its borders — it’s defending the very values that underpin Western civilization. Understanding this ideological divide is crucial for anyone who wants to make sense of the Middle East.

Let Israel fight its fight because, in doing so, it’s standing on the front lines of the global war on terrorism — a war that is as much about the defense of Western values as it is about securing peace in the region.

David Rubin is a former mayor of Shiloh, Israel, and the founder of the Shiloh Israel Children's Fund, dedicated to healing the trauma of terrorism in children. He was a victim of a terror attack that injured himself and nearly took the life of his son. He is an author and commentator on Israeli politics and U.S.-Israel relations. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.