John Mearsheimer made a lot of enemies but got it dead right on Ukraine and its war with Russia. Here is his take on the Gaza situation. Mearsheimer is Jewish. From Mearsheimer at mearsheimer.substack.com:
I do not believe that anything I say about what is happening in Gaza will affect Israeli or American policy in that conflict. But I want to be on record so that when historians look back on this moral calamity, they will see that some Americans were on the right side of history.
What Israel is doing in Gaza to the Palestinian civilian population – with the support of the Biden administration – is a crime against humanity that serves no meaningful military purpose. As J-Street, an important organization in the Israel lobby, puts it, “The scope of the unfolding humanitarian disaster and civilian casualties is nearly unfathomable.”[1]
Let me elaborate.
First, Israel is purposely massacring huge number of civilians, roughly 70 percent of whom are children and women. The claim that Israel is going to great lengths to minimize civilian casualties is belied by statements from high level Israeli officials. For example, the IDF spokesman said on 10 October 2023 that “the emphasis is on damage and not on accuracy.” That same day, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced: “I have lowered all the restraints – we will kill everyone we fight against; we will use every means.”[2]
Moreover, it is clear from the results of the bombing campaign that Israel is indiscriminately killing civilians. Two detailed studies of the IDF’s bombing campaign – both published in Israeli outlets – explain in detail how Israel is murdering huge numbers of civilians. It is worth quoting the titles of the two pieces, which succinctly capture what each has to say:
“‘A Mass Assassination Factory’: Inside Israel’s Calculated Bombing of Gaza”[3]
“The Israeli Army Has Dropped the Restraint in Gaza, and the Data Shows Unprecedented Killing.”[4]
I am sorry. I respectfully disagree with content of this article. What is the source of information used by Mr. Mearsheimer? Gaza Health Ministry? Really? And how do they obtain their information? War is hell. What is happening in Gaza is tragic. That is given. The reality also is and remains that Hamas and Gazans started this war and can end it if they release their hostages and if they put down their guns and surrender. Having announced that Hamas intends to continue with its attacks on Israel, does anyone seriously dispute Israel’s right to defend itself?