Editor’s Note
This personal reflection from the 1990s offers a poignant glimpse into Gaza before the entrenched conflicts of recent decades, reminding us that the current political enmity between Jews and Muslims is not an immutable historical truth. The author’s observation of a “stifling atmosphere” under growing Hamas influence underscores how geopolitical realities can overshadow deeper, more complex human and historical landscapes.
“It’s quite a stifling atmosphere…” That was my candid impression when I visited the Gaza Strip in the 1990s. At that time, Hamas was beginning to gain influence in the Gaza area.
Gaza is a densely populated area, roughly the size of Japan’s Tanegashima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture, where over 2 million people live. Furthermore, movement in and out is restricted, and the unemployment rate is high. Having visited 97 countries around the world, including many slums, impoverished neighborhoods, and rural areas, I found this place uniquely distinct. I felt on the ground that it was truly an “open-air prison” where freedom was stripped away, compounded by the long-standing resentment of the people due to the conflict with Israel.
Now, during corporate training sessions I conduct, where we study global affairs and discuss insights for business, a question is frequently posed: “Have Jews and Muslims been fighting each other forever?” In other words, are they implacable enemies?
However, when viewed historically, the relationship between the followers of these two religions was not always bad. On the contrary, they coexisted in the same lands and engaged in cultural exchange. The turning point came about 130 years ago with a certain event. This was compounded by the Nazi Holocaust of the Jews, which heightened international “sympathy” for Jews. Let’s look back at the historical context spanning 1400 years.
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