The Jewish people have long understood their mission in the world through the words of the prophet Isaiah: to be “a light unto the nations.” It is an inspiring ideal, but also a demanding one. It calls upon us not only to celebrate our achievements but also to examine honestly where we have fallen short.

Today, Israel and the Jewish people face challenges unlike any we have confronted in generations. Since the Hamas massacre of October 7, 2023, Israel has been engaged in a war forced upon it by one of the most barbaric terrorist organizations in modern history. Hamas deliberately targeted civilians, murdered entire families, committed acts of torture and sexual violence, and took hostages, only some of whom were returned home, and whose suffering continues to this day.

Israel had every right—and indeed every obligation—to respond. It is virtually impossible to imagine any nation doing otherwise.

Yet the war’s consequences have extended far beyond the battlefield. Images of destruction in Gaza, mounting civilian casualties, multiple transfers of Gazans, and the continuing absence of a political horizon have profoundly affected world opinion. Even nations that have historically supported Israel have become increasingly critical. International organizations, universities, professional associations, and cultural institutions have become battlegrounds in a growing struggle over Israel’s legitimacy and standing in the world.

At the same time, antisemitism has surged to levels not seen in decades. Jewish students on university campuses have faced harassment and intimidation. Jewish institutions have required heightened security. In countries long regarded as safe havens for Jewish life, many Jews now think twice before displaying symbols of their faith or identity in public.

The growing hostility directed toward Israel often ignores crucial facts. Too many critics overlook Hamas’s responsibility for initiating the war, its systematic use of civilians as human shields, and its explicit commitment to Israel’s destruction. Too often, Israel is judged by standards not applied to any other nation confronting a similar threat.

At the same time, honesty requires us to acknowledge that not every criticism of Israeli policy is rooted in antisemitism. Some concerns deserve serious consideration. Acts of violence committed by extremist settlers against innocent Palestinians are morally indefensible and strategically disastrous. Such actions violate everything Judaism stands for—its values and its fealty to its moral and ethical code—undermine Israel’s standing and strengthen those who seek to portray Israel as indifferent to justice.

Jewish law is cited as the reason for occupying Judea and Samaria and Gaza because it requires us to settle in all of biblical Israel, not just a portion of it. Yet Jewish law is routinely violated by the settlers who commit violent acts. Pikuach nefesh, the preservation of life, is so important........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)