Yossi Klein Halevi, a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute and author of "Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor," dives deep into the ethical complexities of Israel's military strategies following the October 7th attacks. He discusses the heightened civilian risks and the justification of modern warfare tactics. Yossi also critiques the legacy of Jimmy Carter in the context of Israel's actions, tackles the intricacies of moral accountability in asymmetric conflicts, and confronts contemporary anti-Semitism, advocating for Jewish resilience amid challenges.
The shift in Israel's military objectives from deterrence to dismantling Hamas reflects a broader understanding of existential threats following the October 7 attacks.
The ethical implications of changing IDF rules of engagement raise concerns about civilian casualties and the balance between military necessity and humanitarian considerations.
Deep dives
Shift in Military Goals
The recent conflict has prompted a significant change in Israel's military objectives, where the focus shifted from merely deterring Hamas to the complete dismantling of the Hamas regime. This change is a response to the severe threat perceived after the October 7th attacks, where there was a collective agreement among Israelis across the political spectrum that the previous strategies were no longer sufficient. In contrast to past operations that aimed only to stabilize the situation, the current aim is to eliminate Hamas's governance entirely, reflecting a deeper understanding of the existential threat posed by the group. This dramatic shift in objectives has necessitated alterations in the rules of engagement and military approaches employed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Changes in Rules of Engagement
The article highlights a notable departure in the IDF's rules of engagement, which now allow for higher acceptable civilian casualties in military operations. Historically, the IDF's guidelines aimed to limit civilian casualties to no more than ten; however, this threshold has now increased to twenty under the ongoing conflict. This change signifies a calculated risk taken by the IDF in its efforts to target Hamas fighters more aggressively amidst densely populated civilian areas. The implications of this tactical shift have raised ethical concerns about the balance between military needs and humanitarian considerations during the operations.
Criticism of Military Strategy
Critics, including a detailed investigation from a major publication, have pointed to flaws in the methodologies and decision-making processes concerning civilian risk assessments before military strikes. Concerns have been raised regarding the IDF's ability to accurately evaluate civilian presence in operational zones and the robustness of the warnings issued to those in potential strike areas. Despite attempts by the IDF to minimize civilian harm, there are questions about whether these adjustments to rules reflect a sustainable military strategy or excessive aggression. This scrutiny emphasizes the importance of accountability and adherence to international humanitarian law in warfare, particularly in complex environments like Gaza.
The Role of International Perception
The ongoing conflict and the resultant military strategies have sparked discussions on international perceptions of Israel, especially regarding accusations of disproportionate responses and alleged war crimes. Critics argue that Israel's military actions inevitably lead to heightened anti-Semitic sentiments worldwide, reflective of historical tendencies to hold Jewish people collectively responsible for geopolitical conflicts. This dynamic complicates the narrative for Israel, as it seeks to reaffirm its right to defend itself in the face of existential threats while facing intense scrutiny from global observers. The conversation underscores the need for Israel to navigate its defense strategies while being conscious of the broader implications and narratives that arise from its military actions.
Last Thursday, The New York Times published a long investigative piece titled “Israel Loosened Its Rules to Bomb Hamas Fighters, Killing Many More Civilians”. The article tries to identify an unprecedented shift in the IDF’s military strategy and rules of engagement during its response to Hamas’s October 7 invasion, and reports on the impact on Palestinian civilians, including a substantial increase in risk to Palestinian civilians.
To discuss the ethics of Israel fighting a just war justly, to help us unpack and respond to the key charges in the Times investigation, and to briefly reflect on the (post-presidential) legacy of President Jimmy Carter, we welcome back to the podcast, Yossi Klein Halevi, who is a senior fellow at the Shalom Hartman Institute in Jerusalem. Yossi has written a number of books, including his latest, "Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor," which was a New York Times bestseller. He has written for the New York Times, Wall Street Journal and Times of Israel. He is co-host of "For Heaven's Sake" podcast.