By Anwarulhaq Baig
NEW DELHI: Well-known Islamic scholar and an expert on Palestine-Israel affairs Dr. Zafarul Islam Khan, who is also president of the All India Muslim Majlis-e-Mushawarat (regd) has opined that Israel has suffered a decisive defeat and is now seeking U.S. intervention to salvage its position. He made these comments while delivering a lecture at the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind headquarters here recently.
He proclaimed that the era of the Balfour Declaration—the historic document that led to the establishment of Israel—is over. He emphasized that the global stance against Israel has significantly shifted following the attacks by Hamas on October 7th, marking a new chapter in the Middle Eastern conflict.
Reflecting on the dramatic changes that have unfolded since the October 7 attacks, Dr.Khan said, “Who could have imagined before that the world would stand against Israel? This was previously unthinkable. But today, the entire world stands against Israel.” He pointed out that even Josep Borrell, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has called for sanctions against Israel. The International Court of Justice and the UN Human Rights Panel have both condemned Israel’s actions, with the latter denouncing the Israeli occupation since 1967 as unlawful. The unprecedented global backlash includes at least 15,000 demonstrations against Israel reported in Western countries, and major Latin American nations such as Brazil, Bolivia, and Argentina have taken stances against Israel, with several countries severing diplomatic ties and recalling their ambassadors. South Africa led the charge by approaching the International Court, followed by thirteen other nations seeking similar actions. Dr. Zafarul Islam underscored that these events signal a profound shift in the international landscape.
Turning to the recent conflict, the Muslim leader discussed the impact of Hamas’s October 7th attacks, asserting that these events have nullified all previous plots and conspiracies against Palestine.
He declared that the era of the Balfour Declaration, through which Israel was created, had ended. “Something new is about to happen,” he asserted, noting that even within Israel, there is growing concern about the future of the Jewish state. Dr. Khan highlighted that historical perspectives suggest no Jewish government has lasted more than 80 years, and there is now serious discussion in Israel about whether the government established in 1948 will meet the same fate.
Stating that the Jewish nation has lost the war, he noted that Israel is attempting to involve the United States in the conflict, but the U.S. has clarified that it will only intervene if directly attacked. This position reflects the impact of the Gaza war on U.S. domestic politics, with Trump facing challenges as a result of the conflict.
Dr. Khan noted that Israel’s efforts might persist for another month or so, but the immediate reality is that Israeli forces have retreated from Gaza, with Hamas and Islamic Jihad having destroyed nearly a thousand Israeli tanks.
In his analysis of the current situation, the Islamic scholar emphasized that Israel’s main objective now is to have the U.S. target Hamas, Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Iran. However, the U.S. has made it clear that it will only join the fight if Israel is attacked. The upcoming elections and the changing political climate have influenced this stance. Dr. Khan commented on the significant shift in U.S. politics, noting that Trump’s potential victory has become impossible due the Gaza conflict.
Highlighting the resilience of Hamas in Gaza, Dr. Khan, who has authored several books on Palestine, recounted how, from 1967 to 2005, Israeli settlements, including a large city, were driven out by Hamas. Today, Gaza remains free of Israeli presence, with Hamas reportedly stronger than ever. He detailed how Gaza’s factories produce rockets and missiles capable of reaching major Israeli cities, and how Hamas maintains its operations through an extensive network of tunnels. The situation in Gaza, he argued, demonstrates Hamas’s endurance despite severe blockade and destruction.
Addressing the broader regional implications, Dr. Khan suggested that the Western powers have lost control over the situation. He speculated that after a ceasefire, Israel would be left in a dire state and might even face dissolution. He expressed confidence that the changing dynamics in the Middle East, marked by the rise of new powers and resistance groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, have disrupted Western plans.
Drawing from the Quran, Dr. Zafarul Islam cited Surah An-Nisa to argue that the Palestinians in Gaza, despite being portrayed as weak, are actually demonstrating great resilience and strength. He criticized the inaction of 58 Muslim countries, suggesting that had any of them come to Gaza’s aid, the outcome might have been different.
Describing the current state of Gaza, he detailed the extensive damage inflicted by Israeli attacks, including the destruction of approximately 70% of buildings and several historic mosques and churches. Despite these hardships, he reported that Hamas remains strong, with a well-equipped military force and a large number of fighters joining the battle. He noted that Hamas’s military capability remains intact, although the civilian population suffers from severe shortages and conditions.
Dr. Khan also discussed the historical context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, noting that the creation of Israel was driven by Western interests rather than a genuine desire for Jewish settlement. He argued that Jews had opportunities to settle in various parts of the Ottoman Empire but chose Palestine due to European colonial interests. He highlighted attempts by European powers to control Palestine and the role of the Balfour Declaration in facilitating the establishment of Israel.
He criticized Western policies that aimed to keep Israel dominant in the region while weakening its Arab adversaries. Dr. Khan cited examples of Western intervention and support for Israel, including arms embargoes against Arab nations and efforts to destabilize countries opposed to Israel.
Dr. Khan mentioned that this mindset persisted in the West, and there were numerous attempts to seize control of Palestine. “Ultimately, the Balfour Declaration, issued by Britain, publicly declared the establishment of a Jewish state, Israel, in Palestine. It is also a fact, often unspoken, that the Balfour Declaration was merely a statement. Similar declarations were made by Germany, Austria, and France, indicating a unified European policy. It was simply that after World War I, Britain took control of Palestine. If Germany, France, or another European country had controlled Palestine, the outcome would have been the same, and the path would have been opened for Jews to be settled there and for the establishment of their government. Britain disregarded all principles and proceeded with its plans, including allowing the establishment of a private militia called ‘Haganah,’ which later became the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The Haganah was a fully equipped army with weapons, aircraft, armoured vehicles, and tanks, all provided by Britain, creating a favorable environment for the establishment of Israel.”
Most recently, Western powers attempted to impose agreements like the Abraham Accords on the Arabs, forcing them to recognize Israel. Gradually, Arab countries like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates accepted Israel, some openly and others quietly. However, after the October 7 Hamas attacks, he noted that new scenarios have emerged in the region that challenge Israeli dominance and disrupt Western plans and gave a strong threat to Arab countries from restoring their ties with Israel.
In response to a question about stopping the airstrikes on Gaza, Dr. Khan said that Hamas does not have the anti-aircraft guns required to defend against aerial bombardments, or if they do, they are insufficient. Hamas members have reported that when Israel launches attacks with thousands of drones, both small and large, simultaneously from the sky, it is impossible for them to shoot them down. Additionally, aircraft such as the F-35s, which are American-made, are very powerful and extremely fast, even faster than the speed of sound. Although there might be a way to counter such aircraft, Hamas lacks the necessary weapons to do so.
However, when Israeli forces or tanks and armoured vehicles enter Gaza, Hamas fighters can destroy them. So far, they have destroyed approximately a thousand tanks and armoured vehicles, including the formidable Merkava tanks, which are manufactured by Israel itself. Before October 7, Israel claimed that there was no tank in the world as large and as dangerous as the Merkava. Yet, Hamas fighters have managed to destroy hundreds of these tanks using their own homemade rockets named after Sheikh Yasin.
Addressing conspiracy theories regarding the killing of Ismail Haniyeh, Dr. Zafar Islam Khan completely dismissed any suggestions of conspiracy or failure on Iran’s part. Dr. Khan noted that this is not the first time Israel has assassinated Palestinian leaders outside of Palestine and argued that blaming Iran would be misplaced.
Replying another question about the two-state solution, Dr. Khan dismissed it as a “flimsy slogan.” He reminded the audience of the Oslo Accords between Israel and PLO leader Yasir Arafat, pointing out that Israel and the U.S. never genuinely accepted or allowed the Accords to come to fruition. He asserted that discussions of a two-state solution are typically accompanied by conditions that prevent Palestinians from having real sovereignty or military power. Dr. Khan claimed that while Israel may talk about a two-state solution when facing difficulties, in practice, they do nothing to support its implementation.
Giving reference to the Holy Quran, he asserted that the current situation in Gaza reflects a historical pattern of divine retribution against transgressors. He cited verses from Surah Al-Isra, suggesting that the recent atrocities in Gaza may signal an impending downfall for Israel. Allah had given the Israelites three opportunities. As mentioned in Surah Al-Isra, Allah said He would send His servants to destroy them twice when they would cause great corruption. The third time, if they continued their rebellion, He would send His servants to destroy them again, and they would enter the mosque as they did before. “Historically, Nebuchadnezzar (597 BCE) destroyed the Jewish rule in Palestine and took some as slaves. Later, they re-established their rule and faced the second destruction by Roman General Titus (70 CE), who destroyed Jerusalem and renamed it Ilia. From 70 CE to 1918, the Israelites were away from Palestine, returning only after 1918. Allah warned that if they transgressed again, He would bring about their destruction once more. Given the recent atrocities in Gaza, the extensive bombing equivalent to four Nagasaki bombs, and the extreme measures taken, it appears they have transgressed once again.
“Thus, according to Allah’s promise, their destruction is imminent as they have exceeded all limits of cruelty,” Dr. predicted.
