From the Talmud to Tel Aviv: The Ideology Behind Apartheid

Introduction

The occupation of Palestine is often framed as a geopolitical conflict — a clash over land, borders, and nationalism. But behind the checkpoints and airstrikes lies a far older, deeper current: religious ideology.

This article is not about conspiracy. It is about confession — not ours, but theirs.

The roots of Israel’s apartheid are not merely political. They are theological. And to understand what drives Israeli expansionism, racial supremacy, and the dehumanisation of Palestinians, we must confront the sacred texts, rabbinical commentaries, and ideological frameworks that made it not only acceptable — but divinely mandated.

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I. The Talmudic View of the “Other”

The Talmud, central to Rabbinic Judaism, contains layers of law, commentary, and theological interpretation. Among these are passages that define how Jews should interact with non-Jews — particularly Gentiles (Goyim), a term that includes Arabs, Muslims, and others.

Some examples:

“Even the best of the Gentiles should be killed.” — Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Soferim 15:10

“A Jew may rob a Gentile; he may cheat him over a bill.” — Baba Kamma 113a

“A Jew is not liable if he kills a Gentile.” — Sanhedrin 57a

These texts were not fringe. They were taught in yeshivot (religious schools), commented on by leading rabbis, and quoted by extremists who formed ideological cornerstones of modern Zionism.

While many Jews reject or reinterpret these views today, these teachings still influence ultra-Orthodox and religious Zionist segments that drive Israeli politics and settlement policy.

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II. From Scripture to Strategy: Biblical Conquest as a Model

The Old Testament’s conquest narrative provided a blueprint for domination:

“You shall destroy all the peoples whom the Lord your God is giving you; your eye shall not pity them.” — Deuteronomy 7:16

“Now go and strike Amalek… do not spare them, but kill men and women, infant and nursing child, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.” — 1 Samuel 15:3

Such verses have been cited by religious Zionist figures to justify the erasure of Palestinian villages.

The late Rabbi Ovadia Yosef — once Israel’s chief Sephardic rabbi — famously called Arabs “vipers” and stated:

“It is forbidden to be merciful to them.”

These are not rogue outliers. Religious Zionism forms the backbone of political parties like The Jewish Home and Otzma Yehudit, whose members advocate for ethnic cleansing policies — while quoting Torah and Talmud as divine legitimacy.

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III. Institutionalised Apartheid: Faith Turned into Law

Israel’s Nation-State Law (passed in 2018) declared:

 

• • Only Jews have the right to national self-determination.

• • Hebrew is the sole official language.

• • Jewish settlement is a national value to be encouraged.

While the world debated it politically, many Israeli rabbis framed it theologically: this land was promised to Jews by God, and Gentiles must either submit or leave.

Rabbi Dov Lior, influential settler rabbi, ruled: “A non-Jew has no right to live in the Land of Israel unless he accepts Jewish rule.”

Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira’s book, The King’s Torah, declares: “It is permissible to kill non-Jewish children if it is clear they will grow up to harm us.”

These ideas are not on the fringes — they underpin settler violence, military leniency toward Jewish terrorism, and the justification for demolitions, land grabs, and targeted assassinations.

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IV. Religious Zionism and Settler Theology

The settler movement is not just political — it is deeply theological.

Groups like Gush Emunim believed that settling the land was a religious obligation, and that compromising with Palestinians was rebellion against divine will.

Talmudic and Kabbalistic concepts were reinterpreted to mean:

 

• • Arabs = Amalekites (enemies to be annihilated)

• • Palestine = Holy inheritance

• • Negotiation = sin

Many settlers believe they are hastening the arrival of the Messiah by ethnically purifying the land.

This is not nationalism. It is religious extremism under state protection.

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V. The Global Silence and the Qur’anic Warning

Despite the overwhelming documentation of apartheid, mainstream media and politicians avoid addressing the religious core of Zionist violence.

They fear the label of antisemitism.

But the Qur’an already warned us:

“You will surely find the most intense of the people in animosity toward the believers to be the Jews and those who associate others with Allah…” — Qur’an 5:82

Yet Islam also commands justice:

“Do not let hatred of a people prevent you from being just. Be just — that is closer to piety.” — Qur’an 5:8

The Ummah must speak with clarity: we reject hatred. But we will not hide from truth.

This is not about race. This is not about religion. This is about ideological Zionism — rooted in centuries of supremacist theology, still preached in synagogues, implemented in policy, and funded with billions.

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Conclusion

From the pages of the Talmud to the laws of the Knesset, from ancient texts to modern tanks — apartheid in Israel is not just political. It is theological.

Understanding this is not bigotry. It is survival.

If Muslims don’t study their opponents’ doctrine, they will forever fight symptoms, not sources.

It is time to expose what they preach — and why it leads to war.

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📚 References

 

• • Babylonian Talmud (Sanhedrin, Baba Kamma, Soferim)

• • Torah: Deuteronomy, 1 Samuel

• • “The King’s Torah” by Yitzhak Shapira

• • Statements by Rabbis Ovadia Yosef, Dov Lior, Yitzhak Ginsburgh

• • Nation-State Law (2018), official Israeli Knesset archives

• • Human Rights Watch: “A Threshold Crossed” (2021)

• • UN Reports on Israeli Settlements and Religious Extremism

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Disclaimer: This article critiques specific ideological and religious interpretations that contribute to state violence and apartheid. It does not generalise on all people. This investigation targets Zionist extremism and its justification to oppression.