Religion has been an influential factor in the Middle East for many years. From the earliest tribal religions that formed thousands of years ago, to the modern world religions of today, the Middle East has always been very religiously diverse. The diversity of these religions however, has also often created conflict on many occasions. There is not only tensions between religions but there also exists friction within the religion of Islam itself. Struggles in Israel between Jews and Muslims have taken place for centuries. These religious differences have led to violence, division, and even war. In addition, the origins of conflicts between the Sunni and Shiite Muslims that have originated over a thousand years ago continue to cause strife and violence today. Although all the major religions of the Middle East stress and value peace, their interactions have led to war, violence, and discord.
The religious conflict between the Jews and the Arab Muslims in what is today known as Israel has been a divisive factor in the Middle East, and the world, for centuries. For years the Jews and the Arab Muslims have fought over a territory they both consider holy in their religions. For years the state of Israel, or the former state of Palestine, has been tossed politically between the hands of the Jews and the Arabs. The major transfer of the state of Israel occurred on May 14, 1948, when the Jews proclaimed the Independent State of Israel, and the British withdrew from Palestine. In the days and weeks following Israel's proclamation of independence however, neighboring Arab nations attacked the new state of Israel in an attempt to regain Palestine as an Arab nation. Palestinian attempts to set up an organized state however were blocked by Egypt and Jordan, though in later years Egypt proceeded to violate its agreements to not attack the Jewish State. This transfer of power that occurred in 1948 was not simply a mere change in political rule, but also a change in religious rule.
