17-11-23
Dear Partners in Thought,
While we see the tragic developments in Gaza today, some of us may feel lost as to which side to support – unless we are strong campus-like activists or of course Jews or Muslims (if not Palestinians) and “who we are” simply dictates our support.
We should, however, take a look at the facts and not the features. It is not religion, race, or history that should matter when we look at the events we saw on October 7. We were faced with unquestionable acts of horror, targeted often at babies and older people who were clearly not active representatives of their government, as if it would ever make the case easier. October 7 was a 9-11 that would have meant a terrorist attack of 45,000 dead in the US (or 10,000 dead in France or the UK). Nobody needed the horror and the way it was delivered – all the more in 2023. It is then very natural that Israel, a democracy, however challenged, in an autocratic and theocratic ocean, wants to stop once and for all Hamas, a devilish organisation if there was ever one, acting supposedly in the interest of the Palestinians in Gaza but actually against them—and indeed for Iran. While the heavy retaliation was predictable, and likely wanted by Hamas to worsen, if ever possible, the abyss they created while unsettling the full region, there is zero doubt that it was justified.
Justification is strong regardless of any short-term political agendas at the top to shift any blame for a massive intelligence failure and likely political mismanagement – that will be addressed when the war is over. Simply put yourself in the shoes of the young mother seeing her baby without a head or yourself seeing your father gone for good after you said hello that nice morning. Terrorism of that scale and abjectly-planned nature was unheard of in living modern history. There is only one way to deal with it, as Israel did even if it is challenging. War is never clean, but such a crime and those perpetrators should be dealt with. Once and for all, “whatever it takes” – but also with a careful and understandably challenging approach to limiting civilian casualties, so as not to be seen as another Hamas with bigger means, and to preserve an image of decency.
There is no question that the Palestinian people of Gaza are hostages, under another name, of Hamas and thus Iran. We can certainly feel very bad about what has happened to them but this should not make us forget they let Hamas take over Gaza and their own lives (whatever tactical preferences at the time from Jerusalem). The fact that they were powerless in shaping their own future is reflecting other issues linked to regional historical traditions, but is no excuse. They sadly pay today the price for something they could have changed if a Palestinian leadership had been more productive. In the end, while they are indeed human shields (as The Washington Post aptly cartooned before feeling strangely guilty) they sadly should not be a reason for Israel to stop destroying Hamas strongholds even if hidden within hospitals, a feature that speaks for itself even if to be perennially denied. It is clear that careful targeting and execution are needed but not to the point of avoiding measures that would let masters of horrors avoid just retribution. The eradication of Hamas, which is needed to avoid a repeat of October 7, should benefit Gazans and be the basis to create the foundations of a workable Israeli-Palestinian partnership going forward.
This new war is not about Jews against Arabs, islamophobia or antisemitism—as we often hear shouted in Western streets or American campuses as a natural development of our times. This new war is not about religion or race. It is about making sure it will never happen again. There might actually be some further steps to take to ensure peace in the Middle East that would involve going back to old fashioned direct intervention, which might also be in the best Western interests. Hamas and indeed Iran did not understand the game they started, which should potentially lead to regime change and another Middle East. There is no doubt that many in Iran would actually want this, all the more those wearing the hijab.
In the meantime, let’s keep hoping that as many hostages make their way back to their families however daunting it may look while Israel makes sure, with our support, that there will never be another October 7. Let’s clearly ensure that this war sets the stage for a true and fair refocus on creating a genuinely viable and pawn-free future for the Gazans, this eventually leading the way to a mutually productive two-state solution. But for now, let’s be together to defend the values and ways of life that matter. Let’s remember October 7. Today and while Gazan civilian casualties should be kept to a minimum, we are all Israelis.
Warmest regards
Serge
Desperate Measures 