When religious beliefs become an ideology to motivate a war

Historical records confirm the peaceful coexistence of individuals from diverse religious and cultural backgrounds. This paper seeks to analyse the enduring conflict between Israel and Palestine as a case in point to illustrate how prolonged conflicts can transform religions into ideologies fuelling the quest for survival and justice, rendering political resolutions futile. Through a narrative review, it contends that decades of occupation, forced displacements, and expulsions from the sacred territories of various faiths have led to significant loss of life, economic stagnation, and global health crises, despite numerous United Nations efforts to broker peace. Emphasising the centrality of religion in this conflict, this narrative suggests avenues for future research and political deliberation.