The current conflict between Israel and Lebanon is a continuation of the divide between Israel and the Palestinians. As Slavoj Zizek illustrated in regards to the controversy about caricatures of Muhammed, both Israel and the Arab world fight over issues of political nationalism that is expressed as religious positions. As one expands from the particular conflict that is portrayed as a clash of civilizations, one sees the contradictions of the West's influence on the region. Israel was founded with both the positive hope for a new society where the Jewish people could be safe, and the negative effects of colonialism. The West can react to the conflict by criticizing Israel's militarism divorced from any Jewish national character, as well as condemn Muslim acts of violence without denying the unique aspects of the culture in the Middle East, America, or Europe.