Our current war is just, fought in defense of a higher moral ideal. The IDF holds itself to a strict code of ethics, and the data show a remarkably low ratio of civilian to soldier casualties. Still, the conflict has raised painful and complicated moral questions. There is ongoing debate about how - or even if - these dilemmas should guide policy.
We find ourselves in a profoundly tangled moral maze, one that no single person or policy can fully chart. It is difficult to know what the “right” path might be - or even whether this moment of survival allows space for moral values to guide our choices.
It is with these comments in mind that I am perplexed by an editorial in the Jerusalem Post. There is a lot to digest in this editorial, some of which I agree with. Here is how they opened their editorial (which synopsizes it):
The arrival of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Israel on Sunday is yet another opportunity that cannot be missed by Israeli leadership to bring the Israel-Hamas War to a satisfactory close, as time continues to run out – both for the hostages and for Israel’s good name, reputation, and international credit.
All of those things are worthy goals. Only a fool would disagree with them. Here’s the problem though.
I understand the sentiment. But I would hardly characterize this visit as the harsh criticism the mainstream media is saying it is. Every quote I heard from Secretary Rubio has been supportive. Even though the president was unhappy about the attack on Qatar, he made very clear that Hamas has to be defeated, and all the hostages must be released. Which is exactly the same goal repeatedly articulated by Israel.
Much of the mainstream media is characterizing the president’s response as a condemnation. It isn’t. The only people condemning Israel are the usual gang of suspects. Which doesn’t surprise me.
With respect to ending the war, who wouldn’t want it to end? But without defeating Hamas, I’m not sure how ending it will solve anything. If Hamas is allowed to stay in power in Gaza, I fear they will very quickly reconstitute themselves by recruiting young Palestinians more eager than ever to join them.
The only way this war ends is if Hamas leaves Gaza and abdicates its governance over it. Unless that happens, the entire two years of war will have been in vain in my humble opinion. It doesn’t matter that Hamas is weak now. It won’t take long until they are back to their full terrorist capabilities. And whatever tunnels were destroyed by Israel will quickly be rebuilt.
I do agree with the Post on one point: Israel’s reputation has suffered the worst damage in its entire history. Support among the American people has plummeted to record lows. The highly influential entertainment industry including many A-list actors have almost universally condemned Israel and boycotting them culturally.
But that’s only because the truth about the war is ignored in favor of what the Hamas-run Health Ministry and their willing co-conspirators in the UN and related ‘humanitarian’ agencies are feeding them – LIES which the media then regurgitates to the public. If that were all the news I was getting, I would boycott Israel too. But I tend to believe Israel’s version of the truth over that of the Hamas-run Health Ministry and company.
Still, the truth doesn’t change the reality of the consequences of those lies being passed off and widely accepted as truth. And that is why Israel’s reputation is at such a low point.
The question is: what is Israel to do about this? If they end the war now without completely defeating Hamas, it will be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire.
Bottom line: It hurts that Israel’s reputation has suffered such a devastating blow. And I do have a lot of questions. But I don’t have any answers.
Comments to this post can be made at Emes Ve-Emunah II where it is cross-posted