Israel faces an intractable set of challenges, each made more complicated by the next: rescue the remaining hostages held by different armed cells in Gaza; eliminate Hamas’ capacity to launch additional attacks without endangering more of those hostages after three were mistaken for terrorists and killed by friendly fire; and accomplish both ends while protecting innocent Palestinians from further harm and Gaza’s critical infrastructure from further destruction exacerbating the humanitarian tragedy unfolding there.
From the very beginning of its story, Israel often has labored to find ideal solutions to puzzles that defy any. The Bible interprets the name Israel to mean “one who wrestles with the divine and the human and prevails.”
Judaism, like most faiths, demands we grapple with religious principles of justice and compassion even in complex encounters where no outcome will be fully satisfactory. The name Israel is given to the Hebrew patriarch Jacob by a mysterious figure who attacks him, wrenching his hip. Israel triumphs over his foe, but he departs the battle limping. In conflict even victory can hobble us.
After Oct. 7, Israel’s leaders confronted........