Why does Israel keep defending itself?

Street protest, 2014

   

     There was a lot of reaction to Monday's column. Most of it positive, from people glad to see that attitude in the newspaper. But there was one puzzled response. I'm sharing it because it reflects a common attitude:

     Yes, another comment on today's column regarding the murders on Bondi Beach.
     No one deserves to die this way. Or, to die because some other doesn't agree with them.
     Not being Jewish, I perhaps will never understand why the debacle in Gaza as a response to October 7th was necessary. I also most likely will never understand why Israel insists on treating Palestinians living there and in the West Bank the way they do. I will never understand why Israel feels a constant need to defend itself, and, in the process, create an excess of hate among those outside who see that said "defense" as genocide, It's almost as if constant war and fighting is the lifeblood of Israel. And cruelty to people with impunity is somehow fair. Why is it that a Jewish life is worth more than a Palestinian one?
     You wrote, "once you view them not as individuals, but as faceless members of groups, you're capable of anything." And so, it is. Deaths due to genocide are not worse because of the ethnicity of the victims. Or even the number.
     I read the book "Being Jewish After the Destruction of Gaza", by Peter Bienart. You are probably familiar with it. It outlines the historical sins of the Jewish people, who are hardly a non-violent population. I ended up with more understanding of the history, but I still do not have a good answer to why it can't stop itself from continuing its' poor treatment of others. Is there no forgiveness to be had ever? Will the Palestinians ever be allowed to live in the small area of land that is supposed to be theirs without constant illegal encroachment by Israel?
     I'm an outsider to all this. Make it make sense. Make it stop.
     I wish you could explain to people like me. Just a person trying to live my life.
     Barb O.
     Cedar Lake, IN

     A lot to unpack. But anything in particular stand out for you? It did for me. I replied:

     I doubt I could explain it to you. "I will never understand why Israel feels a constant need to defend itself" seems to suggest that you can't even perceive that Israel is constantly being attacked. Or maybe just don't care. Maybe you should ask yourself why Palestinian suffering so moves you, while you can't even see Jewish suffering. I have an idea, but I'd rather you think about it. There might be some insight to be found there. Maybe not.
     NS

     I didn't expect a response, but I got one — criticizing me for being "to close to the issue" to share her indifference to Jewish life and shifting the topic. A reminder why response is fairly pointless.

     I appreciate your taking the time to respond.
     I was hoping perhaps to gain some insight into this issue from someone who surely has spent more than his share of time on it.
     I can see from your response that you are too close to the issue. That is understandable.
     You are incorrect that only Palestinian suffering moves me. I see it all over the world. Every day.

     What I do not see is a capacity for forgiveness. I was hoping you could tell me forgiveness is possible. I believe that unless one can forgive one's transgressor, the wound will never heal. Without forgiveness, without justice, there will be no peace.
     So, I guess there will be no peace there. The killing will continue.
     I'm sorry.

     I didn't quite know what to make of that, and decided it was time to move on. I replied:

     I actually agree with you about the forgiveness part. I think we saw that in the solution to the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
     NS