Where Balloons Go

What Happens When Political Credence is Given to a Childlike, Religious Conflict

The Arab-Israeli conflict is an extended quarrel that has its roots in ancient history. While some scholars claim that it is not a primarily religious conflict and it is more of an ethnic and political battle, I disagree. The main purpose of the territory in question is religious for both parties. There are little to no natural resources in the area and the section of land is too small to actually add any significant economic or democratic power to a state. Both sides are fighting for the rights to the land that is considered holy in both of their religions, not for prominent secular reasons.

While the prejudices between the two groups extend far back into time and do have secular aspects, the current contention over the area of Israel is far more rooted in religion. The argument that the Jewish people are a national people who deserve a nation-state does not hold water, as being Jewish is, ultimately, a choice. While a culture has sprung up around the religion itself, this does not make it an ethnicity. You cannot choose your ethnicity, but you can choose your religion. Arabs, however, are an actual ethnicity that is not defined by religion; there are peoples of varying religions that identify as Arab. They are an ethnic group that has sprung up around a culture, not a culture that has sprung up around a religion and then tried to claim ethnic status.

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