What the Israelis are Thinking

Wisdom of Crowds

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The war in Gaza is dividing Israeli opinion, but not along the same lines that it divides American opinion. What are Israeli priorities? How important is the return of hostages relative to total victory? What is Netanyahu thinking? What is the Israeli Left thinking? Is there an anti-war movement in Israel? Do American categories make any sense within the Israeli political context?

Washington Post political columnist Jason Willick joins Shadi and Damir to answer these questions. He just returned from a fact-finding mission in Israel, and the news he brings is complicated. On the one hand, there is more widespread support for the war in Israel than there is anywhere else. On the other, the divisions within Israeli politics run deep, especially regarding the details of a post-war settlement.

As discussion of Israeli views develops into a critique of those views, Jason and Damir question Shadi’s abiding moralism, asking whether ideas like “just war” and “proportionality” are helpful in making sense of war and combat. The debate then turns to whether Hamas is a legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. Could the Israeli government ever accept Hamas as a negotiating partner in establishing a post-war Gaza? Would doing so give a tacit victory to Hamas, and legitimize political violence? Can anything be resolved without continuing this war? And will this war ever end? Tough questions, discussed with wryness and charm. This is a Wisdom of Crowds episode you will not want to miss.

Required Reading:

* “If Biden thinks Israel’s liberals are doves, he’s dreaming,” by Jason Willick (Washington Post).

* “Hamas’ Bid for Revolutionary Legitimacy,” by Damir Marusic (Wisdom of Crowds).

* “In the Israeli-Palestinian debate, you might be wrong. So be humble,” by Shadi Hamid (Washington Post).

* “Just War Theory” (Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy).

* “Occupation and Reconstruction of Japan, 1945–52” (Office of the Historian, US Department of State).

* “Give Peace a Chance,” by John Lennon.

This post is part of our collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Governance and Markets.