Why are the US and Israel framing the ongoing conflict as a religious war? | Israel-Iran conflict News
Conflict in Middle East Escalates as Leaders Frame Strikes Against Iran as Religious Battle
As conflict in the Middle East approaches its fifth day, American and Israeli officials are escalating rhetoric that frames military actions against Iran as a religious war. This shift has prompted concern among civil rights organizations.
On Tuesday, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the Pentagon’s use of religious terminology. The organization labeled the rhetoric “dangerous” and “anti-Muslim.”
The U.S. and Israel commenced their military campaign against Iran on Saturday, continuing to engage in strikes that have elicited retaliatory responses from Iran, targeting Israeli interests and U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Iraq, and Cyprus.
Reports indicate that a U.S. watchdog has informed service members that the objective of the conflict could be perceived as bringing about “the biblical end of times.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the Iranian leadership as “religious fanatic lunatics,” further deepening the charged atmosphere.
The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF), a nonprofit committed to ensuring religious freedom in the military, reported receiving complaints regarding the characterization of the war. An unnamed noncommissioned officer relayed that a commander advised troops the conflict was part of “God’s divine plan,” referencing biblical citations from the Book of Revelation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently drew parallels between Iran and the biblical Amalekites, a group in Jewish tradition often associated with pure evil. During a recent address, Netanyahu stated, “We read in this week’s Torah portion, ‘Remember what Amalek did to you.’ We remember – and we act.”
CAIR criticized Netanyahu’s remarks, expressing concern over the “holy war” rhetoric surrounding the military actions in Iran. In a released statement, they stated, “Every American should be deeply disturbed by the rhetoric used to justify the war on Iran.”
Experts suggest that framing the conflict in religious terms may be a strategic move to galvanize public support. Jolyon Mitchell, a professor at Durham University, stated that such rhetoric can demonize the enemy, making future peace negotiations more challenging.
Ibrahim Abusharif, an associate professor at Northwestern University, pointed to the use of religious language as a way to rally domestic support, particularly among evangelicals in the U.S. He noted that references to biblical themes resonate with narratives present throughout American political discourse, simplifying an otherwise complex geopolitical conflict.
Past instances of religious language in U.S. military rhetoric date back to President George W. Bush’s post-September 11 remarks, which drew parallels to historical religious wars. Abusharif cautioned that using sacred language to frame contemporary conflicts risks complicating diplomatic efforts and requiring higher expectations for military engagements.
As the situation develops, both U.S. and Israeli leaders continue to wield religious discourse, complicating the already intricate dynamics of the Middle East.
