Where Palestinians and Israelis Should Agree

11/17/23

As the death toll mounts in Gaza, the pressure for Israel to institute a ceasefire grows. This reaction to loss of life and the destruction of homes and infrastructure is not surprising. Who wouldn’t want to see an end to this violence and the sparing of the innocents in the region from further trauma? It seems axiomatic that without Israel putting a halt to its military action, these horrific images will keep coming — and they are truly horrific. No question. Regardless, the call for Israel to institute a ceasefire, without constraining Hamas’s in any way, is an ill-considered demand.

As difficult as it is to witness the consequences of the Israeli response to Hamas’s barbaric provocation, rather than instituting a ceasefire, it’s possible that continuing military actions could be the more humane course or action. It may be that, despite the current pain and suffering that we’re witnessing, the elimination of Hamas would result in fewer casualties in the long run, as opposed to an outcome that leaves Hamas in power. I don’t know which way would lead to fewer deaths, and neither does anyone else; and given this uncertainty, the judgment as to whether to institute a ceasefire or not is one that calls for a certain amount of humility before assuming the claim of righteousness.