This week’s edition presents a spectrum of perspectives on the recent war in Gaza, particularly the alleged, but unsubstantiated, charges of misconduct by Israeli soldiers.

We begin with an interview of the IDF’s ethics chief in which he exonerates the soldiers (1).  A blunt rebuttal is asserted by Moshe Yaroni of Jewcy who charges that the soldiers’ defense “lacks credibility” (2).

A more expansive analysis of the conflict and the IDF’s role in it, is found in two long-ish essays by Jeffrey White (3) and Magnus Norrel (4), of the prestigious, center-right Washington Institute on Near East Policy.  (With thanks to ARZA vice president Didi Gilbert for calling them to my attention.)

Danny Zamir, who ignited the controversy by releasing the soldiers’ stories to the press, offers what some will regard as a self-serving reflection (5).  Leonard Fein writes the kind of wise analysis for which he is noted (6).  And Leon Wieseltier sets Gaza into the context of the potpourri of problems Israel faces (7).

Of special interest to Reform Zionists is the alleged role played by religio-nationalist Orthodox rabbis.  Reconstructionist Rabbi Ed Feld relates Pesach to a field manual issued by the IDF’s Chief Rabbi which contravenes official IDF rules of engagement by urging brutality on the battlefield (8).  An editorial in the Israeli daily Ha-aretz addresses the issue (9).  A brief article reports on IDF discrimination against Conservative Jews (10).  And Rachel Canar, of Reform Judaism’s Jerusalem-based Israel Religious Action Center, reports on what her agency has discovered about the influence of Orthodox religious-nationalism on the IDF (11).  It should be noted that IRAC is a leading force for good in this, and many other matters.

Finally, two pieces on the appointment of Richard Goldstone, a Jewish South African jurist, to head a U.N. Commission mandated to investigate allegations of Israeli war crimes in Gaza.  A JTA article says that it might be good for the Jews (12).  Alan Baker disagrees (13).

Chag Pesach Sameach.

Rabbi Ira Youdovin

1. IDF Ethics Chief
2. Moshe Yaroni
3. Jeffrey White
4. Magnus Norrel
5. Danny Zamir
6. Leonard Fein
7. Leon Wieseltier
8. Rabbi Ed Feld
9. Ha’aretz Editorial
10. IDF Discrimination against Conservative Jewish soldiers
11. Rachel Canar (IRAC)
12. Richard Goldstone’s appointment
13. Alan Baker on Goldstone appointment

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