Contra Moral Equivocation
Terrorism has no moral justification.
In the wake of Hamas’s barbaric attack on Israel, I have been appalled to see peers and pundits cite history as an excuse for the murder, torture, rape, and kidnapping of innocent Israeli civilians.
No set of facts can justify the atrocities of October 7, 2023.
Casus belli only ever justifies war between the combatants of rival states; it is always immoral to target the innocents of a rival regime for retribution. Those whom intend to take vengeance on noncombatants are barbaric; the actions of Hamas were barbarous.
In the fifth book of Republic, Plato forbids the Guardians of Kallipolis from abusing the civilians of rival states:
Socrates: [T]hey won't ravage the country or destroy houses, and they'll continue their quarrel only to the point at which those who caused it are forced to pay the penalty by those who were its innocent victims.
Glaucon: [T]his is the way our citizens must treat their enemies, and they must treat barbarians the way Greeks currently treat each other.
Socrates: Then shall we also impose this law on the guardians: Neither ravage the country nor burn the houses?
Glaucon: Consider it imposed.
(Republic V, 471b)
In its perpetration of war crimes against innocent Israelis, Hamas has violated the universal, objective moral law identified by Plato 2400 years ago. Israel is absolutely, unequivocally justified in forcing Hamas to pay the ultimate penalty for its impermissible and unconscionable actions.
Unintelligible evil cannot be reasoned with; it must be subordinated to Justice with force.