By The Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies
In recent weeks, the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has sparked an unprecedented wave of outrage against the Jewish state in Western capitals. Massive demonstrations, drawing hundreds of thousands of people, have flooded the streets of Washington, London, Paris, and beyond. Notably, these protests, ostensibly calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, have displayed unmistakable support for Hamas, the Islamist movement governing the region.
This surge of public discontent raises an intriguing question: Why does the current Gaza war elicit such a fervent and distinct reaction compared to other conflicts, particularly when there are striking parallels with recent events such as the U.S.-led Coalition’s war against ISIS from 2014 to 2019?
A Striking Parallel: ISIS and Hamas
The triggering events for both conflicts share undeniable similarities. In both cases, Arab movements of Sunni political Islam engaged in widespread slaughter against non-Arab and non-Muslim populations. For ISIS, it was the Kurdish-speaking Yazidis; for Hamas, it was Israeli Jews.
On October 7, 2023, Israel faced a dire situation when its advanced defense systems malfunctioned for around 12 hours, exposing its communities to indiscriminate slaughter akin to the horrors faced by non-Arab, non-Muslim minorities in northern Syria during ISIS onslaughts in 2014.
Comparable Military Campaigns
Examining the military responses to both conflicts reveals striking parallels, especially in episodes of urban combat. The war against ISIS demanded the conquest of a much larger area than the Gaza Strip, but the similarities in urban combat strategies are evident.
Stark Contrasts in Western Perception
However, the most perplexing aspect lies in the disparate Western reactions to the two conflicts. While there were no mass demonstrations for civilian casualties during the war against ISIS, the Gaza conflict has generated an unparalleled wave of fury against Israel, with impassioned crowds denouncing “genocide” and demanding an immediate ceasefire.
Unraveling the Discrepancy
The question arises: Why such a stark contrast? The answer might lie in the unique place of the Jew in both Islamic and Western political culture and consciousness. The discrepancy is glaring and prompts contemplation on the underlying factors driving this differential response.
As Western capitals grapple with this perplexing situation, it becomes essential to question the root causes of such distinct reactions to conflicts that, at least in terms of triggering events and military campaigns, share striking similarities.