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Analysis

The Jewish Chronicle: Israel and the agonising endgame, by Toby Greene

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What is Israel fighting for?

The human cost of this conflict is a source of sadness and despair, raising legitimate questions: What is Israel fighting for? Is it worth it? Does Israel have alternatives?

In addressing these question, the overwhelming images of death and destruction in Gaza, have meant that insufficient account is taken of how this battle fits into a broader strategic confrontation with real, high-stakes goals.

The shallow level of analysis is reflected by American TV’s Jon Stewart sketch, in which the conflict is reduced to two sides bombarding each other, the only difference being that “one side is bombetter at it.” Even some serious commentators simplistically account for Israel’s decisions as driven by vengeance, fury, or the inability to think straight.

In judging Israel’s actions, it is reasonable to scrutinise the means. Even with Hamas waging war against Israel’s home front from within a civilian population, Israeli forces must be ready to answer: are we doing all we can to fulfil our duty to the innocent? Israel’s leaders must also face the families of fallen soldiers, and be able to say that everything was done to protect them, and their loss served a necessary goal.

Read the article in full at the Jewish Chronicle.