By Bill Donohue, Catholic League president
“Witness to
War: World Trade Center Bombing.” That was the title of the lead story in the
October 2001 edition of Catalyst. I made a personal statement about
what we witnessed that day: we saw the Twin Towers crumble before us.
Once again,
I am taking the occasion to address war, only this time the war is against
Israel. I am writing this at home on the “Day of Rage,” Friday, October 13. I
closed the office today because of the huge anti-Jewish rally in Times Square,
just blocks from our office. I have seen enough of the New York crazies to know
what to expect.
Catholics
are fortunate to have a long history of Church teachings on war. Thanks to St.
Augustine and St. Aquinas, it is helpful to recall what “Just War” theory is.
For a war to
be just, it must abide by several criteria. There must be a just cause; it
should meet the standard of comparative justice; a legitimate authority must
execute it; the right intention must be evident; the probability of success
should be operative; the means used should be proportionate to the situation;
and it should be done as a last resort.
Israel has
met these criteria. The vicious attack on Israeli citizens, including the
beheading of children, was unprovoked. Even more vile, its leaders pledged to
kill all the Jews. That’s what Hamas has said over and over again. Ergo, Israel
had a just cause.
It also met
the definition of comparative justice, meaning the injustice suffered by Israelis
justifies the damage done to Hamas. The decision to defend Israel was made by
its elected leader. The prime minister’s intent was noble—to defend his people.
Given the Israelis past success in combat situations, the probability they will
prevail is realistic.
Israel
alerted residents of Gaza to leave their neighborhood—giving them ample time to
clear out—before their soldiers entered, thus was their response proportionate
to current conditions. Despite decades of diplomacy, and the total withdrawal of
soldiers from Gaza in 2005—giving the Palestinians what they wanted—it was not
enough to satisfy Hamas, which is why they attacked Israel two years later.
Thus, the decision to fight back was the last resort.
The
left-wing indoctrinated American students who hate Israel also hate America. As
a Catholic leader, a veteran, and a professor, I know what motivates these
maniacs. Israel had no other choice but to defend itself and seek to defeat
Hamas, once and for all.
Pray for Israel, but also pray for those innocent Palestinians who have long suffered under Hamas.
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