Over the past several years, I have participated in numerous discussions about Israel on Brookline community listservs. In the process, I have learned how to defend Israel—rather effectively, I think—against the accusation that it is committing genocide in Gaza. The allegation is emotionally powerful, but it can be tested against evidence. I can point to the nature of the enemy Israel is fighting, Hamas’s systematic use of civilian areas and infrastructure, Israel’s warnings and evacuations, its facilitation of humanitarian assistance, and the assessments of experienced military specialists who have studied the IDF’s efforts to reduce civilian casualties under exceptionally difficult conditions.

A progressive friend involved in our town government—someone who describes himself as loving and defending Israel but who has become highly critical of both AIPAC and the current Israeli government—was nevertheless willing to consider the assessments of experienced military specialists regarding the IDF’s efforts to minimize civilian casualties in Gaza. The violence in the West Bank affects him differently. He sees attacks on Palestinian civilians followed by inadequate enforcement, and he is justifiably outraged. His response illustrates an important distinction: disputed allegations about Israel’s military conduct can be tested against operational evidence, but there is no persuasive factual or moral defense for Israelis attacking innocent Palestinians—or for a government appearing unwilling to stop them.

Most importantly, behind every report of “settler violence” are individual human beings: families frightened in their homes, farmers who have lost crops or livestock, and people whose property, security or physical safety has been violated. Innocent Palestinians should not have to pay for terrorism committed by others, and their suffering matters regardless of how the incidents are subsequently used in the international campaign against Israel.

That leaves people like me in a painful position. We can rebut false allegations against Israel, expose distorted reporting and explain the realities that much of the world ignores. But we cannot defend conduct........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)