From Gloss to Figure, Between Mythic and Divine Violence: A Comparative Reading in Benjamin Netanyahu’s and Abu Ubaydah’s Political Exegesis of Isaiah 60:18, 1 Samuel 15:3, and Quran 9:11–14

This chapter explores the interconnections between theology, exegesis, violence, and the ongoing war in Palestine. It analyses specific scripture texts used by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas spokesman Abu Ubaydah to understand the theological justifications and explanations of violence within these religious writings. This chapter utilises a textual and linguistic analysis of excerpts from the Bible and the Quran to gain a deeper comprehension of how violence is depicted and rationalised within a political discourse. It also examines the interpretations of religious Zionists and Islamists on the portrayal of violence by the Abrahamic figure in a political setting.