The atrocities committed by the Hamas terrorists on Saturday, October 7 have left us all shocked, pained, and angry. The anger is natural, understandable, and justified. The attack by Hamas proved that it is a dangerous enemy whose continued existence is unacceptable. Therefore, Israel has the right, and even the duty, to act to neutralize the threat it poses to the country. At the same time, the axis of evil that connects Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah, and Iranian proxies such as the Houthis in Yemen and is supported by other malign actors such as Russia was exposed. This axis threatens to join the campaign in a way that could create an existential threat to Israel.
Facing these two threats, Israel is required to respond based on two key components: vis-à-vis Hamas, the freedom of action to engage in intense and long-term military activity in the Gaza Strip, until the military threat posed by the organization is removed; vis-à-vis the other arenas, a powerful response based also on US support and cooperation and a coalition of other countries, from the West and the region.
A condition for the viability of these two elements is the existence of international legitimacy. Without it, severe pressures will be exerted on Israel that will lead to shortened and limited military action in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the lack of legitimacy may harm the alliance with the United States and the ability to establish a regional and international strategic partnership for the campaign against the axis of evil. This is particularly true if the various countries face domestic pressure to reduce support for Israel due to the way it is presented in the international arena through the media, academic institutions, and international organizations.
In order to preserve legitimacy, several main steps are required:
- First, beyond the adherence to international law in the actions taken, the deeds must also be accompanied by words. The political and military leadership in Israel must make clear statements, internally and externally, that Israel is committed to international law and that the campaign is not directed against Palestinian civilians but against the Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Accordingly, officials should avoid statements that imply Israel seeks to harm all residents of the Gaza Strip, obliterate the Strip, deport this population to Egypt, and other rhetoric of this type. Even if these statements do not reflect the true and legitimate goals of Israel, which focuses on overthrowing the Hamas regime or neutralizing its military capabilities, they are used in the international campaign against Israel to undermine the legitimacy of the military action.
- Second, a strong hand must be taken against private Israeli elements that harm the Palestinians in the West Bank or call for violence against them, as well as those who call for violence against the Arab citizens of Israel. In addition to burdening the overstrained security forces, these actions severely damage Israel's legitimacy, and beyond the very unacceptability of these actions, they amount to aiding the enemy during war. This is how they should also be treated by the enforcement agencies.
- Third, a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip must be prevented. With all the understanding of the frustration arising from the introduction of humanitarian aid to Gaza’s civilian population, while those abducted from Israel do not even receive a visit from the Red Cross and without there being any update on their situation, the policy cannot be based on this consideration. The laws of war impose minimal obligations on Israel to allow the transfer of humanitarian aid, which is required for the survival of the civilian population. This obligation applies despite Hamas's flagrant violation of its obligations. But beyond the requirements of the law, a severe humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip, which will resonate loudly in the world, will eclipse everything that preceded it. The world will focus on this crisis and inevitably pressure Israel to stop the military action. In other words, preventing a humanitarian crisis could give Israel more time to continue operating effectively against the Hamas military infrastructure.
Israel’s decision makers in the country are required to take responsible and level-headed action. This is not to please the world, but because it is the only way to ensure the realization of the vital security interests of the country.
The atrocities committed by the Hamas terrorists on Saturday, October 7 have left us all shocked, pained, and angry. The anger is natural, understandable, and justified. The attack by Hamas proved that it is a dangerous enemy whose continued existence is unacceptable. Therefore, Israel has the right, and even the duty, to act to neutralize the threat it poses to the country. At the same time, the axis of evil that connects Hamas, Iran, Hezbollah, and Iranian proxies such as the Houthis in Yemen and is supported by other malign actors such as Russia was exposed. This axis threatens to join the campaign in a way that could create an existential threat to Israel.
Facing these two threats, Israel is required to respond based on two key components: vis-à-vis Hamas, the freedom of action to engage in intense and long-term military activity in the Gaza Strip, until the military threat posed by the organization is removed; vis-à-vis the other arenas, a powerful response based also on US support and cooperation and a coalition of other countries, from the West and the region.
A condition for the viability of these two elements is the existence of international legitimacy. Without it, severe pressures will be exerted on Israel that will lead to shortened and limited military action in the Gaza Strip. In addition, the lack of legitimacy may harm the alliance with the United States and the ability to establish a regional and international strategic partnership for the campaign against the axis of evil. This is particularly true if the various countries face domestic pressure to reduce support for Israel due to the way it is presented in the international arena through the media, academic institutions, and international organizations.
In order to preserve legitimacy, several main steps are required:
Israel’s decision makers in the country are required to take responsible and level-headed action. This is not to please the world, but because it is the only way to ensure the realization of the vital security interests of the country.