Born of the Same Root; Why Torment Each Other? Tracing Three Millennia of Shared Ancestry Between Israel and Iran

Born of the Same Root; Why Torment Each Other?Tracing Three Millennia of Shared Ancestry Between Israel and Iran

Sun Zuodong

When tracing back their origins, Israel and Iran share a common forefather: Abraham, revered as a sacred patriarch across multiple faiths. Abraham fathered two sons from different wives: the elder Ishmael and the legitimate heir Isaac, blood-bound half-brothers. Descendants of Ishmael form a core ancestral lineage of the Arab peoples, while Isaac’s progeny evolved into the Jewish nation. Though ethnically Persian rather than Arab, Iran falls within the same religious ancestral lineage that venerates Abraham. Regardless of shifting eras, ethnic intermingling or divergent religious observances, Israel and Iran are kin sprouting from one ancestral root, inseparable kinsmen bound by blood. Born to the same patriarch even from different mothers, they ought to care for and accommodate one another.

Born of the same root; why torment each other? It is lamentable that these kinfolk have fallen into perpetual hostility and frequent armed clashes. No family avoids rifts or disagreements; the crux lies in sitting down for negotiations and making compromises. A famous ancient Chinese verse illustrates neighbourly forbearance: I travelled a thousand li for a boundary wall dispute; Yield three cubits—what great loss would it constitute? The Great Wall still stretches far and wide today, Yet where’s the First Emperor who ruled in his sway?

If neighbours can concede ground over a partition wall, blood-related kin have no reason to fight to the bitter end. To back down is not defeat; to forbear is not weakness. Concession embodies tolerance, and restraint speaks of magnanimity. So long as kinship endures, the family remains intact, and all disputes can be settled amicably over time.

Family feuds ought never to invite outside meddling. Outsiders posing as peacemakers rarely act out of benevolence; most mediators harbour selfish motives. Some covet oil resources, others profit from arms sales, and countless others stoke internal strife to reap windfall gains as onlookers. Divided kin leave openings for outside exploitation; united kin shut out all external scheming. As an old proverb goes: flies only target cracked eggs. Infighting traps warring sides in the plight of the snipe and clam, with the fisherman pocketing all spoils. Protracted warfare ravages land, depletes resources and plunges ordinary folk into hardship, with scheming third parties the sole beneficiaries—a self-destructive folly.

The Middle East has borne untold devastation from wars. Common people across all factions crave nothing but peace and stability: a peaceful old age for elders, safe childhoods for youngsters, intact families and hopeful lives. Yet prolonged confrontation shatters ordinary livelihoods, drains national prospects and brings nothing but enduring suffering instead of honour. Conflict never resolves contradictions; only sincere dialogue and mutual compromise between the two kin nations can safeguard their homelands and populace.

I am aware these words may fall on deaf ears and seem futile, yet conscience compels me to speak out regardless. To stay silent would weigh heavy on my heart; this is not unwarranted meddling, but impartial counsel from an objective onlooker. The choice to heed rests with them, while speaking out is a duty of conscience. What irreconcilable hatred could drive these same-rooted kin apart beyond reconciliation? What disagreements cannot be settled through talks? Mutual compromise opens boundless possibilities; preserved kinship brings prosperity to all. Let neither side fall prey to foreign manipulation or provocation, nor allow outside powers to profit from their discord. May both sides calm hostilities, lay down weapons and engage in candid talks, safeguarding peace for their people, homelands and future generations.