Hawzah News Agency- “While both Iran and Israel see war as part of their identity and culture, their approaches are fundamentally different,” he stated. “In Iranian culture, war is associated with resistance, sacrifice, and martyrdom in the fight against oppression and the promotion of justice. The spirit of Karbala and the legacy of Imam Hussein continue to shape Iran’s resistance literature, politics, and national discourse.”
In contrast, he noted, Israeli culture largely views war through a lens of survival and self-preservation. “The trauma of the Holocaust and the desire to maintain Jewish identity have shaped Israel’s militaristic outlook. War is often portrayed as an unavoidable necessity, and this mentality is reinforced through institutions like the Yad Vashem Museum and the national education system,” Abedin explained.
When asked if Iran interprets war as a moral and divine duty while Israel sees it as a strategic imperative, Hujjat al-Islam Zainul Abedin responded: “That is a precise characterization. In Iran, even children grow up with concepts like ‘sacred defense’ and ‘martyrdom,’ while in Israel, military readiness and the image of the ‘saber’—a strong, self-reliant Jew—are emphasized from an early age.”
He also addressed the implications of these cultural views on national policy: “Iran’s culture of resistance directly influences its domestic and foreign policies, evident in institutions like the Basij. Similarly, Israel’s emphasis on existential security shapes its military and political strategies.”
Concluding the interview, Abedin reflected on whether these cultural attitudes are an obstacle to peace. “If war is considered sacred and unquestionable, it becomes a barrier to peace. But if cultural narratives prioritize justice, morality, and human dignity, they can form the foundation for meaningful dialogue.”
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