Why is it so hard for Islamic nations to fight together against Israel?

Islamic Unity's Changing Face: From Brotherhood to Broken Alliances Pakistan's Lahore emerged as the Islamic world's hub in February 1974. The most important gathering of countries with a majority of Muslims, the Second Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), brought together prime ministers, presidents, and monarchs with a common message: hostility to Israel and support with the Palestinians. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto, Pakistan's prime minister at the time, firmly said during that momentous summit: “We are a poor country… However, I can guarantee you all that we will not think twice about giving every drop of blood for Islam, as Allah is my witness. The Pakistani people are Allah's troops. King Faisal of Saudi Arabia, a representation of pan-Islamic authority, was by his side. At the time, it appeared as though Muslim nations would soon unite against Israel. However, the vision that Bhutto repeated has disintegrated after fifty years. Harsh Geopolitical Reality vs. the Dream of Islamic Unity Regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, that same OIC is still split, ineffective, and primarily symbolic today. Muslim nations have not united in their military or economic reprisal against Israel, despite the violence in Gaza and the rising tensions in the West Bank. Why? What went wrong? 1. National Interests and Geopolitical Changes Trump's Ummah Attitude Many Islamic countries had revolutionary or religious-nationalist leaders in 1974. However, national interest started to take precedence over religious solidarity as regimes and agendas changed throughout time. For example: Under the terms of the Camp David Accords, Egypt became the first Arab nation to recognize Israel in 1979. Jordan came next in 1994. The Abraham Accords, mediated by the United States, established diplomatic relations between the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan and Israel in 2020. 2. Sectarian Conflicts: Power Battles Between Sunni and Shia Deep sectarian division was brought about by Iran's Islamic Revolution (1979). Iran, a country with a Shia majority, has made itself Israel's and the United States' main adversary. However, Sunni nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were turned off by its ideological and military aspirations. The Islamic world divided apart rather than banded together to oppose Israel: Hezbollah and other allies of Iran versus. Armed governments and Sunni monarchs that believe Iran poses a greater threat than Israel. 3. Proxy wars and internal disputes Islamic countries are embroiled in conflict with one another: In 1980, Saddam Hussein's Iraq launched an invasion on Iran. Beginning in 2015, Saudi Arabia and its allies bombarded Yemen. In 2017, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Bahrain imposed a regional blockade on Qatar. Devastating domestic conflicts raged for years in Iraq, Libya, and Syria. The idea of coming together to combat a common adversary grew elusive as Muslim nations engaged in proxy conflicts and supported rival groups. 4. Reliance on Western Arms and Alliances Numerous Islamic nations rely significantly on Western commercial agreements, military assistance, and diplomatic backing: The United States provides protection to the Gulf states. The United States gives Egypt billions of dollars in military funding. Despite its strong verbal support for Palestine, Pakistan nevertheless has links to the West. No Muslim country wants to take the chance of open conflict with Israel's supporters, particularly the United States, even though public condemnation of Israel may persist. 5. Prioritizing the Economy Over Ideological Conflicts Muslim countries are putting trade, investments, and modernization plans ahead of religious or political conflict in an increasingly globalized economy. Some Arab nations now view Israel as an economic partner due to its dominance in technology and defense. What Does That Mean for Palestine? No meaningful military, economic, or diplomatic collective action has been done in favor of Palestine, despite numerous OIC declarations. The West Bank is divided, Jerusalem's status is still up for debate, and Gaza is in ruins today. However, there is no cohesive foreign policy, no organized boycott, and no oil embargo. Muslim governments are still mostly inactive, notwithstanding the protests on the Muslim street. Conclusion: A Broken House Is Unsupportable United Today, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto's stirring remarks from 1974 still evoke strong feelings of nostalgia. Though aspirational, they capture a period of time when there was genuine hope for Islamic unity. However, in the actual reality of national interests, sectarian conflicts, and power politics, the "Ummah" is still a shattered idea. Unity against Israel—or any other cause—will remain symbolic, not strategic, until Islamic countries can heal their internal differences, put collective diplomacy first, and establish an autonomous economic bloc.