History, Morality, and the Reality of Gaza

While I share many of Rabbi Rosenberg’s deep concerns (May 2025), they do not fully explain both the existential and moral dilemma we and our Israeli brethren face. But in an extreme existential situation, our tradition demands of us to choose life:  "I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)

1. The Value of Innocent Life

Even amid War, Jewish ethical tradition prohibits rejoicing in the death of enemies. A striking example occurs in the Talmud, where God rebukes the angels who celebrate the drowning of Pharaoh’s army during the Exodus: “My creatures are drowning in the sea, and you sing praises?” 

2. Hamas’ Genocidal Intentions: Not merely anti-Israel, but anti-Jewish 

The 1988 Hamas Charter clearly articulates a genocidal objective—not only against Israelis, but against Jews as a people. Article 7 reads: “The Day of Judgment will not come until Muslims fight the Jews and kill them; until the Jew hides behind rocks and trees, which will cry: O Muslim, there is a Jew hiding behind me, come and kill him.” 

3. The State’s Moral Burden in Existential Conflicts

Henry Kissinger once observed: “The statesman does not have the moral right to risk [the state’s] survival on ethical restraint.”  In existential situations like the one Israel faces, leaders must prioritize survival, especially when adversaries reject all the laws of war.

4. IDF: A Military Recognized for Its Restraint

Military assessments from international observers, including British Col. Richard Kemp, state: “There is no military in the world that does more to safeguard the rights of civilians in a combat zone than the IDF.” 

5. Hamas’ Strategy: Gaza as a Human Shield

According to Maj. Andrew Fox’s report for the Henry Jackson Society, Hamas has built weapons depots under schools, mosques, and hospitals, fired rockets from playgrounds, and used civilians as shields, characterizing their deaths as propaganda victories. 

6. Gaza Since 2005: “Freedom” Under Hamas

Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005. In 2006, Hamas overwhelmingly won Palestinian elections and soon seized power from Fatah. Since then, no promised further elections have been held, and Hamas has ruled Gaza with repression and militarization and with barbarism not seen since the ritual sacrifice of children for Moloch or Baal. 

7. Gazan Celebrations After 9/11: A Sobering Moment

Images of Gazans celebrating the 9/11 attacks were broadcast globally. While not reflective of every Gazan, it underscored the deep radicalization propagated by Hamas and its Iranian funders.

8. Post-World War II Precedents (and lessons?): Germany and Japan

After World War II, the Allies dismantled the regimes of Nazi Germany and imperial Japan, executed war criminals, and rebuilt civil society through occupation and reform. Within 15 years, both nations had become completely peaceful democracies and key allies of Western tolerance. We should learn from history, not forget it.

9. Conclusion: Toward a Just Peace, not a False Symmetry

Civilian suffering in Gaza is heartrending and tragic, but its origins are fueled primarily from Hamas’ strategy of genocidal ideology and using civilians as human shields. True peace and reconstruction of Gaza will require the complete and utter rejection of Hamas’ genocidal vision and embracing reconstruction through accountability and moral clarity.

And yes, we should be absolutely outraged at what has, and is continuing to be, an unconscionable and tragic situation: but our outrage should not be against its Jewish victims, it should be aimed precisely at the perpetrators: Hamas and its siblings: Iran, Hezbollah, the Houthis and all who supply weapons and funding to them.

DAVID M. HIRSCH lives in Providence.