The Israel-Palestinian War
The latest fighting between Israel and Hamas in Gaza has raged now for almost three weeks. World opinion seems opposed to Israel’s actions, with anti-Israel demonstrations breaking out throughout Europe, although some groups have sided with Israel in the U.S. and Britain. The U.N. and the American State Department have called on both sides to negotiate a cease fire. Who is right and who is wrong in this conflict and how should we think about it?
In ARI’s view the first step is to recognize that this is not a war between moral equals. Israel is the only essentially free country in the Middle East. Hamas, which rules Gaza and is fighting in the name of Islamic totalitarianism, is a terrorist group whose purpose is to destroy Israel. It has launched thousands of rockets against innocent Israelis for nearly a decade. Israel is retaliating against Hamas in self-defense.
That context is crucial to understanding the current conflict and the wider war Israel has been fighting for decades. That context means, in our view, that Israel has morality on its side, and that America and the West should stand with Israel, instead of condemning her for alleged “war crimes” and urging “restraint.”
To understand more about this conflict, we recommend the following resources:
“Israel Has a Moral Right to Its Life” by Yaron Brook and Peter Schwartz
The Hamas-Israel War — Interview with Elan Journo
Understanding the Arab-Israeli Conflict — A lecture series by Elan Journo
The Arab-Israeli Conflict and the Palestinian Refugees — Interview with Dr. Efraim Karsh, professor of Middle East and Mediterranean Studies at King’s College London
Twenty Years After Oslo: Where Next for U.S. Policy? — Panel discussion with Elan Journo
America and Israel:
“Washington’s Pro-Hamas Foreign Policy” by Elan Journo
“The Perversity of U.S. Backing for the Gaza Retreat” by Elan Journo
“The Indispensable Condition of Peace” by Onkar Ghate
“The Price of Bush’s Commitment to Palestinian Statehood” by Elan Journo
Israel and the laws of war:
“How the International Laws of War Abet Hamas, Undercut Israel” by Elan Journo
“World Upside Down” by Elan Journo
