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Within the Middle Eastern Christian communities, it is relatively uncommon to find instances of anti-Semitism or strong animosity towards Israel. As a Maronite, I can attest that a significant majority, often exceeding 70% of Maronites, express support for Israel. The historical alliance between the Maronites and Israel during the Lebanese civil war provides evidence of this affinity. Interestingly, a noteworthy observation is that despite not being Arab Muslims, a substantial proportion of Bosnians and Albanians also harbor negative sentiments towards Israel. The prevailing sentiment in Iran is similarly well-known, requiring no further elaboration.
It begs the question: what factors contribute to such attitudes? One possible consideration is the notion that the establishment of Israel resulted in the de-Islamization of the Holy Land. Prior to Israel's existence, the region was predominantly inhabited by Muslims, constituting around 95% of the population. Presently, that proportion stands at approximately 15%. It is plausible that this significant demographic shift has influenced perceptions and contributed to the prevailing sentiments towards Israel among certain Muslim communities.
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