Wildfires raged through Israel starting Tuesday Nov. 22, and this has sparked a Twitter war of epic proportions. The Israeli foreign ministry cited the Quran to berate those "who are gloating" over the damage wreaked by the fires.
"From Israel to those who are gloating: O you who have believed, let not a people ridicule [another] people, perhaps they may be better than them... [Al-Hujurat:11]"
Tens of wildfires have blazed through Israel/historic Palestine, destroying forests and houses and forcing over 75,000 residents to flee their homes, though no cases of death or serious injuries have been reported.
The outburst is thought to have been triggered by the two-month drought and forceful winds. Meanwhile, Israeli officials suggested that Palestinian nationals may have started the fires, claiming that almost half the fires were set deliberately.
Some thanked God for the fires. This has apparently prompted Israel's official Arabic account to tweet the verse from Surat Al-Hujurat (The Chambers), the 49th surah in the Islamic Quran.
The surah tackles social etiquette among Muslims. It condemns ridicule and asserts that faith is proven through action rather than words.
The Israeli tweet took Twitter by surprise:
Many chose to counter Quran with Quran
"Whoever does an evil deed will not be recompensed except by the like thereof but whoever does righteousness, whether male or female, while he is a believer - those will enter Paradise, being given provision therein without account [Ghafer:40]"
"So that Allah will recompense every soul for what it earned. Indeed, Allah is swift in account [Ibrahim:51]".
Some linked the fires to recent Israeli legislation seeking to silence the Muslim call for prayer
"And who are more unjust than those who prevent the name of Allah from being mentioned in His mosques and strive toward their destruction. It is not for them to enter them except in fear. For them in this world is disgrace, and they will have in the Hereafter a great punishment. [Al-Baqara:114]
Gaza
According to CBS News, wildfires first broke out near Jerusalem in Neve Shalom (or Wahat Al-Salam/Oasis of Peace), a village where Jewish-Israelis and Palestinian-Israelis live together.
The situation was tempered by Friday. Similar fires have erupted near towns in the occupied West Bank, as well as in Lebanon and Syria, according to Middle East Eye.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan described the incidents as "arson terror attacks" and said that all perpetrators linked to the fires will be heavily penalized. Still, no official evidence has been disclosed.
The Washington Post reports that at least 12 suspects - of unknown identities - are currently in Israeli custody charged with arson linked to the fires. Four Palestinian Israelis were reportedly arrested then released due to lack of evidence.
People ask: where was the international community when Gaza was burning?
More than 20 countries have either helped or offered to help Israel combat fire, including Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. The Palestinian Authority have sent four firefighting teams to give a hand.
"They say do good and you will always find it. While Israel has rushed across the world to offer help in disasters, we are overwhelmed with joy to be assisted."