Certainly, there's plenty of anti-Jewishness outside the Muslim world. Indeed, in the Middle Ages it was worse for Jews in Christendom than in the Muslim territories. But the fact is that modern Israel happens to be located right in the middle of the Arab countries, and I'm suggesting that that must rankle many Muslims on psychological and theological grounds.

I don't think I'm condemning all Muslims or Arabs here. I'm trying to explain the roots of their contribution to the conflict since Israel's contribution is more familiar due to what's politically correct to say in liberal societies.

This article is part of a series, and upcoming ones will be more critical of Israel.