Cynicism Key to Israel's Arsenal

“The promulgation of a hyper-nationalist ethos” in Israeli media coverage of the Gaza situation doesn’t surprise Neve Gordon, he writes in the Nation—what’s unsettling is the cynical war ethic emerging around humanitarian aid. As one reporter explains, Israel gives assistance to Palestinians during times of war to avoid pressure from the international community to stop the attacks—“not unlike raising animals for slaughter.”

With horrors of battle occurring ever more amid the civilian population, Gordon wonders if “the masters of war gathered together philosophers and intellectuals to develop a moral theory for postmodern wars.” Because surely, he points out, it doesn’t involve Israelis hearing how 80% of Gaza inhabitants are dependent on humanitarian assistance. (More Israel stories.)