Lightning Strike: The Ethics of Preemptive Strikes
Israel faced immense international pressure in advance of the war, and it received worldwide censure in its wake. What are the ethics of preemptive strikes? What are the Jewish perspectives on starting a war, and when is war sanctioned or required? To what extent should we recognize political considerations—or should we only consider military ones—as a factor in such decisions?
Israel faces similar deliberations today as it did in 1967. It faces a host of mortal threats, from Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas, and others. This lesson provides Jewish perspectives on preemptive strikes, and delves into a variety of ethical war-related deliberations, such as collateral damage.