Kurds Reflect on Israel-Palestine Conflict and Their Own Struggles

Kurds, like Jews and Palestinians, have faced oppression and displacement while striving for statehood. Their perspectives on the Israel-Palestine conflict are diverse, influenced by their religious and ethnic identities. While many Kurds are Muslims, not all prioritize their ethnic identity over their religious beliefs, leading to varied support for groups like Hamas. Some Kurdish Islamists align with regional powers such as Iran and Turkey, despite these nations' historical oppression of Kurds. The Kurdish struggle for identity is complicated by the actions of neighboring states. Turkey has engaged in cultural genocide against Kurds for over a century, while Syria has stripped many Kurds of their citizenship. This raises questions about the hypocrisy of these states, which vocally oppose the oppression of Palestinians while simultaneously occupying and oppressing Kurdish lands. The emergence of radical Islamist groups within Kurdish regions, such as Kurdish Hezbollah and the Islamic Movement of Kurdistan, highlights the challenges faced by secular Kurdish parties. These Islamist factions often prioritize their religious affiliations over Kurdish nationalism, complicating the political landscape. The ongoing plight of the Kurds underscores the need for recognition of their right to statehood, paralleling the Palestinian struggle. As the international community continues to engage with the Israel-Palestine conflict, the Kurdish narrative remains largely overlooked, despite their historical and ongoing struggles for autonomy and recognition.