Around the world the cry is going up for a ceasefire or for Israel to abandon its ground invasion. Hearing some Israeli politicians call for vengeance, including the discredited prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, many people conclude that Israel\u2019s actions are disproportionate and immoral. Many of those arguing this believe in the need for a Jewish state, but fear for a Jewish state that seems to value Palestinian lives so cheaply. They worry that the slender hopes for peace in this age-old conflict will be buried under Gaza\u2019s rubble.<\/p>\n
Those are powerful arguments, but they lead to the wrong conclusion. Israel is inflicting terrible civilian casualties. It must minimise them and be seen to do so. Palestinians are lacking essential humanitarian supplies. Israel must let a lot more aid pass into Gaza. However, even if Israel chooses to honour these responsibilities, the only path to peace lies in dramatically reducing Hamas\u2019s capacity to use Gaza as a source of supplies and a base for its army. Tragically, that requires war.<\/p>\n
To grasp why, you have to understand what happened on October 7th. When Israelis talk about Hamas\u2019s attack as an existential threat they mean it literally, not as a figure of speech. Because of pogroms and the Holocaust, Israel has a unique social contract: to create a land where Jews know they will not be killed or persecuted for being Jews. The state has long honoured that promise with a strategic doctrine that calls for deterrence, early warnings of an attack, protection on the home front and decisive Israeli victories.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n The bombardment of Gaza is inflicting a terrible toll. But unless Hamas\u2019s power is broken, peace will remain out of reach. <\/p>\n This is why Israel must fight on: https:\/\/t.co\/plnjRqZ7oh<\/a>👇<\/p>\n — The Economist (@TheEconomist) November 2, 2023<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n