Untangling Popular Anti-Israel Arguments: Critical Thinking
about the Israel-Hamas War
Endorsements, Introduction, Table of Contents
My little book (also available in paperback on Amazon) is now available here (i.e., on this blog) and in subsequent instalments of APOLOGIA (see links in Table of Contents below, or download pdf of the whole book here). I don’t intend to come across as arrogant in saying this, but, in view of much of the discussion nowadays about the Israel-Gaza conflict, it seems to me that my little book should be available to as many readers as I can possibly reach. Hence, this blog post, subsequent posts, and pdf.
Note to critics: Please read the whole of my little book (including notes) before offering criticism. Thanks.
Endorsements
“Philosopher Hendrik van der Breggen’s Untangling Popular Anti-Israel Arguments is a noteworthy and terrific little book. In this time of social-media-influenced opinion and assaultive slogans it will likely not change dogmatic convictions held about the war between Israel and Gaza (Hamas). However, the book’s simplicity, depth, references and suggested resources will engender better informed conversation, in one’s own mind and with others; edifying the thoughts of those who are undecided or support Israel in the current conflict, as well as challenging the thoughts of those supportive of Hamas and the Palestinian cause. The thread of compassion woven throughout reminds us human lives have been lost and remain at risk.”
Don Hutchinson, BA, JD, DMin, pastor, lawyer, and author of Church in Society: First Century Citizenship Lessons for Twenty-First Century Christians
“In our culture, in which tempers flare easily, judgments are often based merely on social media opinions and the accused are deemed guilty with little to no evidence given. In stark contrast, Hendrik’s book provides a calm, evidence-based perspective. Untangling Popular Anti-Israel Arguments is well-researched, thoughtful, factual, and refreshingly compassionate towards the human suffering on both sides of the Israel-Gaza conflict. Whether you are pro-Palestine, pro-Israel, or undecided, this is a must-read that will help you think critically about what is unfolding in the war between Israel and Gaza. It will help you consider the nature of the actions and policies that have driven what Hamas has done to Israel (as well as to Gazans) and what Israel has done militarily in response—without losing sight of the tragedy inherent in any loss of human life, regardless of beliefs or nationality.”
Stefan Duerksen, Lead Pastor of Southland Church, Steinbach, Manitoba, Canada
Introduction
In this short book I untangle—refute—popular arguments that are unjustly critical of Israel in the Israel-Hamas war. I have examined various perspectives and I have weighed arguments pro-and-con. Below are my thoughts thus far, set out in an objection-reply format. (Many of my thoughts are gotten from others whom I gratefully acknowledge in the text and end notes.)1
I recently heard these wise words (roughly as follows): For goodness to prevail, one must rise up according to one’s station and engage the opposition.2 I am a retired philosopher, so I see it as my “station” to think carefully and do my best to discern and speak truth.
My thesis/conclusion: On October 7, 2023, Gaza (via Hamas, Gaza’s leadership) committed an outrageously barbaric and murderous evil against Israel, an evil that is not morally justifiable, and so Israel has a right—and duty—to act in self-defence. I have concerns about the extent of that self-defence and I will voice those concerns later, but here I will simply say that my concerns do not impinge on Israel’s right and duty to self-defence against Gaza, nor do they impinge on the legitimacy of Israel’s continued battle against Hamas thus far. (I write these words approximately four months after October 7th. The charge that Israel is committing genocide in its war against Gaza has been leveled against Israel at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, but, as I argue in a later chapter of this book, the charge is false.)
First
things first
Before I attempt to defend my thesis via my objection-reply format, I would like to set out—and publicly agree with—this quote from Messianic Jew Michael Brown:
The shedding of innocent Palestinian blood is just as grievous as the shedding of innocent Israeli blood, and as followers of Jesus, we should mourn with those who mourn. Right now, that includes the Palestinian people too.3
Amen. Brown is writing for a Christian readership, so, here, in this book, I would amend his words to include all people, not just followers of Jesus. Whether we are followers of Jesus or not (I am a follower of Jesus), we should mourn for the innocents killed in Israel and for the innocents killed in Palestine. Also, we should pray for all who suffer and grieve. We should pray, too, that evil-doers, whether Palestinian or Israeli or Iranian—or whatever—will be stopped and that goodness will prevail.
Objections and replies
In the pages that follow I set out a number of popular objections that I have observed in recent discussions about the Israel-Gaza conflict and I offer reasonable replies, replies that will provide a cumulative case argument in defence of Israel. (Often I quote at length from writers who have more expertise than I do in the topics at hand.) At the end of this book I set out two appendices to challenge the oft-heard claim that criticising Islam is Islamophobic, plus one appendix in which I defend a biblical view of just war, and I set out some suggested resources for additional thought about the Israel-Hamas conflict. I hope my short book helps rational persons of good conscience realize that Israel’s military defence against its terrorist neighbour is, though tragic, legitimate.
NOTES
1. This little book is an expansion of my blog article In defence of Israel, APOLOGIA, October 28, 2023.
2. This idea is from Victor Davis Hanson, military historian and senior fellow at Stanford University’s Hoover Institution. See Davis Hanson’s interview with John Anderson: Israel & Palestine: The Politics of War, John Anderson podcast, October 20, 2023 (1 hour 9 minute video).
3. Michael Brown, A reprehensible statement from Palestinian Christians, Christian Post, October 24, 2023.
Table of Contents (links)
Chapter 1. Israel is engaging in colonial retaliation?
Chapter 2. Israel is a powerful state and thus the oppressor?
Chapter 3. Israel is not a legitimate state?
Chapter 4. Israel occupies Gaza?
Chapter 5. Gaza is like a Jewish ghetto?
Chapter 6. What about Gabor Maté?
Chapter 7. What about Gabor Maté, again?
Chapter 8. Israel targets a hospital?
Chapter 9. Israel’s attack on Gaza is as bad (or worse) as Gaza’s attack on Israel?
Chapter 10. Israel is wrong to cause Gaza to suffer?
Chapter 11. Israel is guilty of genocide?
Chapter 12. Israel’s response to Hamas is not proportional?
Chapter 13. Israel should agree to a permanent ceasefire?
Chapter 14. Israel should embrace a two-state solution?
Chapter 15. Conclusion and prayer
Appendix 1: Criticizing Islam is Islamophobic? (Part 1 of 2)
Appendix 2: Criticizing Islam is Islamophobic? (Part 2 of 2)
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