Free will
This is quite amazing -
The Hamas Terrorist can choose between G-d - don’t pull trigger, and overthrow his commander
Or choose Amalek and pull trigger, follow orders
The Israeli can choose between G-d - don’t follow superiors and instead take decisive action to create permanent peace by eliminating all terror within 350 miles of Jerusalem
Or choose Amalek and follow orders leading to half measures, surrender and defeat
Incredibly,
If the Hamas Terrorist and the Israeli both choose Amalek, there is massive death and destruction, G-d forbid
If the Hamas Terrorist and the Israeli both choose G-d, no one dies.
If the Hamas Terrorist chooses Amalek and the Israeli chooses G-d, only a few people die, namely the Hamas Terrorist.
If the Hamas Terrorist chooses G-d and the Israeli chooses Amalek, there is chaos and confusion and the Hamas Terrorist will be hard pressed to stay with his choice of G-d.
Once we take literally that every human being has free choice at every moment, then the situation becomes exceedingly simple, like the Rambam says, my next choice will permanently propel the world to the side of good.
Also, we can see that the choice of the Jew has the definitive effect on the outcome.
Rabbi, I think the circumstances surrounding this issue are more complicated. First, Hamas terrorists are terrorists because they are funded. Without funds, no terrorists. Just hired guns. So who are the real terrorists, Hamas or those who fund them? Second, do Hamas and those who fund them have any justification for their behavior? One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter, which calls into question the moral justification for the establishment of the State of Israel, an extremely difficult question. Hashem is orchestrating the present situation and knows whose hands are clean.
Rabbi,
I have to agree with you. The deal is not about money. It is about doing what is right. That means answering as G-d would, not as Man would. I am not sure what pressure Hamas puts on those civilians, mostly women and children behind whom they hide. But as G-d's children, He asks us to go past our personal and material desires to do the right thing, All are created in His image and likeness, and we all have that in our scriptures, and our beliefs. Both sides need to come together to peacefully settle. And that takes a big risk. But in G-D's logic, those who refuse to dialogue already know they are wrong. Why are they that determined to continue to challenge lives, and for what? When have enough innocent died? Maybe I do not understand the mentality of Hamas, but what glory, what justice is served by hiding behind or killing the weak and the innocent? There is no bravery, and no praise of G-d in being so cowardly.
Deacon William Orazio Gallerizzo
Catholic Pastoral Bioethics