��������

Back in February, in the course of a meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the US and Israel have the same enemies alluding to Muslims. He said: Our war is your war. Our victory is your victory.

But this is not new; Israel has always tried to present itself as a defender of the West. During the Cold War, Israel presented itself as the surrogate fortress to prevent the Soviet Union from reaching the oil fields. After the Berlin Wall fell, this narrative lost its relevance. However, Israel found in Sept. 11 renewed relevance as it was able to position itself as the partner against Islamist extremism.

Israel is portraying its suppression of Palestinians as a clash of civilizations, between the civilized and the barbarians, between darkness and light. Unlike 20 years ago, this tagline is not selling anymore. However, as it is getting desperate, Israel is doubling down on the narrative. Social media is flooded with pro-Israeli posts trying to show Islam in a negative light.

Last September, when US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Israel, he inaugurated a contentious archaeological site in East Jerusalem. The site is operated by Elad, an Israeli settler group. The excavations supposedly track the route that pilgrims took during the Roman era to reach the two biblical temples. The tunnel starts at Mughrabi Gate and stretches for 600 meters beneath Palestinian homes and the Old City walls, ending close to the foundations of the Western Wall. Hence, it is around the periphery of the Haram Al-Sharif. Critics claim the excavation might result in cracks in the ground structure holding the mosque, and therefore, it might lead to parts of the structure collapsing.

Israel presents itself as a defender of the West.

Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib

While Al-Aqsa Mosque is on shaky grounds, Israel is attacking Islam and portraying it as a violent doctrine that threatens the West. In this tense environment, a collapse of parts of the mosque will be interpreted as a war on Islam.

In this event, what will happen? Will the US stand with Israel as it usually does and confront the entire Muslim world? The US could potentially find itself waging an unwanted religious war. This might look like a Hollywood movie plot, but unfortunately it can happen. Israel is pushing in this direction.

US media host Tucker Carlson has hosted several guests who explored the movement in Israel pushing to rebuild the third temple. To do that they need to demolish Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam. According to Columbia University academic Jeffrey Sachs, who was hosted by Carlson, this would be suicidal, but zealotry is suicidal and the current government of Israel is full of zealots.

Israel is walking a dangerous path and dragging the US with it. However, President Donald Trump wants to bring peace and stability to the Middle East and integrate Israel in the region. In order to realize this vision, Israel needs to make concessions to the Palestinians. However, it is doubling down on its belligerent position.

The US should be careful and set boundaries for Israel. Trump has said that if Israel annexes the West Bank, it will lose all US support. Nevertheless, the Knesset has given preliminary approval for the annexation. As Sacks said, zealotry is suicidal. A confrontation with the Muslim and Arab world is definitely suicidal for Israel. Nevertheless, Israelis do not seem to be convinced because they have been getting away with everything they do. Despite the occasional criticism, they always managed to garner the support of the US.

However, Israel is reaching a dangerous point. It is important for the US to be aware of that. Washington should review its doctrine of “unconditional support,” as an emboldened Israel might trigger a religious war and drag the US into the conflict.

• Dr. Dania Koleilat Khatib is a specialist in US-Arab relations with a focus on lobbying. She is co-founder of the Research Center for Cooperation and Peace Building, a Lebanese nongovernmental organization focused on Track II.