End the Gaza Horror. Now!
(view of Gaza ruins, photo credit)
Six months ago, on October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists committed horrific attacks on Israeli people, resulting in about 1200 Israeli deaths. Among other murderous acts, the attacks included bombs from drones and terrorists on motorcycles shooting Israelis at a music festival. Hamas also took hostages, many of whom continue to be held in unknown places, possibly in deep underground tunnels.
Declaring its right to defend itself, Israel launched an immediate military offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, home to several million Palestinians. As an ally of Israel since the formation of that nation after World War II, the United States declared support for Israel, and many Americans (including me) also declared support for our ally that also is the spiritual home of the Jewish people who have suffered so much oppression and real devastation across the millennia. Palestinians and their supporters were outraged by the U.S. support for Israel, and protests continue to this day on college campuses, in cities, at major events, even at the Oscars.
Now, six months later, the appalling toll of Israel’s war in Gaza has become a moral catastrophe. Gaza is in ruins. Hospitals destroyed, homes obliterated, cities reduced to rubble. More than 30,000 Palestinians are dead, and the threat of famine and disease rises each day. Last week, in what it said was a “mistake,” Israel killed 7 members of the World Central Kitchen humanitarian food relief effort. (Read Chef Jose Andres powerful essay on the tragedy.)
Modern warfare has the intelligence and tools to avoid such a “mistake” if the leaders care enough about protecting civilians to exercise prudence. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demonstrates each day a stunning disregard for civilians and utter contempt for the idea of proportionality in pursuing his vengeful campaign in Gaza.
“Just war” is a moral concept found in many faith teachings and even in military rules. What is going on in Gaza has gone well beyond any conceivable notion of a “just war.” At the beginning Israel had a right to defend itself, but its leadership has allowed the war to become a global scandal of revenge and retribution against tens of thousands of innocent people. It does not diminish our concern for the oppression and devastation the Jewish people have suffered across the millennia to say that Palestinians, too, have suffered oppression and horrific violence. The ancient “eye for an eye” philosophy of vengeance has resulted in oceans of blood and sorrow with little permanent resolution in sight.
President Biden and the United States must do more to stop the bloodshed, including ending financial and weapons support for Israel. Our leaders should stop thinking about political calculus in this election year and instead focus on the core moral concerns about a war that has gone out of control. Pope Francis has called for an immediate cease fire and he is right. We cannot possibly say we want Netanyahu to move toward peace when we send him more bombs. Our actions must back up the rhetoric of seeking peace.
Statement of World Central Kitchen
Timeline of Key Moments in the Israel-Gaza War (Washington Post)
