Middle East – Will There Ever Be Peace?

By Saleh Mohammed

The quest for peace in the Middle East has been a tragic, elusive pursuit. As war rages on, particularly in Gaza, we must ask difficult but necessary questions: Is peace even possible? Have we been ignoring the root causes for far too long?

Historical Roots of the Conflict

The Zionist movement emerged in the 19th century, led predominantly by secular Jews who sought to establish a homeland in Palestine. In 1947, the United Nations General Assembly passed a resolution to partition Palestine into separate Jewish and Arab states, with Jerusalem under UN administration.

Warnings of conflict were raised by U.S. officials even before the creation of Israel in 1948. Those fears soon materialized into decades of bloodshed, culminating in today’s devastation, particularly in Gaza, which has become a symbol of systemic violence and suffering.

A Genocide Unfolding

The sheer scale of destruction in Gaza is staggering a level of carnage not seen since the Second World War. Thousands of civilians have been killed. Entire neighborhoods flattened. Millions displaced.

Zionist militias historically employed violence, terror, and psychological warfare tactics that have morphed into indiscriminate bombings, sexual violence, and mass killings. Yet the world continues to push for peace talks, seemingly blind to the realities on the ground.

The Question of Jewish Homeland

Is it necessary for Jewish people to claim Israel as their exclusive homeland?

The ancient Kingdom of Israel was dismantled in 720 BCE, and Jews historically dispersed across Europe, particularly Eastern Europe. Over time, cultural assimilation occurred even physical appearances changed. They fled later due to pogroms and anti-Semitism, yet the modern state of Israel was formed through force and displacement, contrary to the Talmudic “Three Oaths” which forbade:

1. Retaking the Land of Israel by force,
2. Rebelling against non-Jewish nations, and
3. Nations from excessively oppressing Jews.

Modern Zionism defies these ancient restraints.

The Real Roadblocks to Peace

Many argue the Middle East conflict is “complex.” But no peace process can succeed without addressing the root causes, namely, the denial of Palestinian rights and the military-industrial profiteering behind the occupation.

• Israel’s military spending surged 65% from 2023 to 2024, reaching US$46.5 billion.
• The US Congress, largely pro-Zionist, has consistently vetoed resolutions for ceasefire and accountability.
• Arms manufacturers and banks profit enormously from what has become a “forever war.”
• Aid to Gaza has been weaponized, handed to controversial bodies like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), sidelining international agencies.

Can any negotiation be sincere when one side profits from destruction?

The Role of the United States

The U.S. claims neutrality while:

• Blocking UN resolutions for peace,
• Selling billions in arms to Israel,
• Condemning Hamas while supporting far-right Israeli elements,
• And ignoring its own laws that prohibit foreign aid to human rights abusers.

With over 3 million armed civilians and a thriving gun culture, can the U.S. truly lead peace efforts in the Middle East?

The Collapse of Institutions

The UN Security Council, UNSCO, and other peace-building institutions appear paralyzed or compromised. Despite growing humanitarian crises, global powers are more committed to political posturing than genuine intervention.

Even within Israel:

• Prime Minister Netanyahu, indicted for corruption, faces mounting internal and external criticism.
• The ICC and ICJ have both declared Israeli actions illegal.
• Coalition governments in Israel are weak and deeply unstable.

What Comes Next?

Will peace come through normalization with Gulf states or a two-state solution that the U.S. refuses to recognize? With Hamas leadership nearly eradicated, even Israel appears unsure of its next move.

Will the Arab states fund reconstruction when they’ve already pledged trillions to the U.S., and when the destruction was caused by U.S.-supplied arms?

The Moral Imperative

It’s time we asked the hardest question: Are we heading toward Armageddon?

Religious texts like Daniel 9:27 are invoked by some as a prophecy of a deceptive peace followed by desolation. Whether one believes in prophecy or not, the illusion of peace is not enough.

True peace requires:

• An arms embargo on all parties,
• Multilateral peacekeeping forces,
• And an end to the double standards in international law.

Otherwise, this is not a peace process, it is just the performance of diplomacy without substance.

Final Thought

As of 3 July 2025, Gaza has lost 60,000 lives. More than a million people are homeless. On Israel’s side, about 2,000 deaths have been recorded, and it continues to call it self-defence.

There is no accountability, no sincere mediation, and no peace in sight. But the world watches, prays, and hopes for leadership, from within the region and beyond, that will rise with courage and compassion.

Until then, peace in the Middle East remains a mirage.

What say you?