May 24, 2024
War and Justice
For the past 50 years, I have been hearing the same arguments from those who
side with either the Palestinians or the Israelis (with everything that entails),
calling for peace according to justice. The problem is not only that the rights
and wrongs are never entirely on one side, as everyone knows, but also that
identifying them is not an objective matter. It depends on the criteria used by
those who judge what is right and wrong.
When faced with a conflict and we want to save people from death, destruction,
and immense suffering, we must consider the perspectives of the parties involved,
which are almost always opposed because they are based on opposing values. If it
is possible to reach a compromise, realistically considering the situation, then
peace can be achieved; if not, unfortunately, we have to go to war. But if we
insist that our notion of justice, and nothing else, must prevail, then the war
will continue relentlessly.