The recent war between Israel and Iran has once again exposed the deep-rooted problems of the Middle East. This region’s history has always been shaped by conflicts over underground resources, political power struggles, religious and sectarian clashes, and interventions by Western powers.

Axar.az reports that Turkish political expert Emre Öztürk stated this.

He said that Palestinian historian Hanna Batatu is one of the influential researchers who brought a different perspective to the structure of the Middle East.

“In his view, ruling classes in the region have historically maintained ties with Western countries. Arab politicians have frequently used the Palestinian issue to bolster their own legitimacy.

According to Batatu, especially in the 1960s, political parties and ruling elites that emerged in the Middle East were established by wealthy individuals educated in the West. These groups have always maintained close relations with powers like the UK, France, and the US, and the political map of the region was shaped based on these relationships.”

Batatu particularly emphasizes that leaders of countries such as Syria, Iraq, and Egypt have for years used the Palestinian issue as a tool to strengthen their own political positions. In his view, this has hindered the development of genuine popular movements and natural national resistance against imperialism in the region.