Right to Exist: A Moral Defense of Israel's Wars

Right to Exist: A Moral Defense of Israel's Wars examines the moral and philosophical foundations of Israel's military conflicts since its establishment. Written by Yaacov Lozowick, director of archives at the Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Authority, the book applies just war theory to analyze Israel's wartime decisions and actions. The text evaluates each of Israel's major military engagements through the lens of moral philosophy, drawing heavily on Michael Walzer's theoretical framework from Just and Unjust Wars. Lozowick presents historical evidence and documentation to support his analysis of Israel's military conduct and strategic choices. Through his investigation of multiple conflicts, Lozowick assesses whether Israel's wars met the criteria for just warfare, considering factors like legitimate cause, proportional response, and civilian protection. The analysis spans from Israel's War of Independence through more recent military operations. The book contributes to ongoing discussions about the intersection of military necessity, ethical conduct, and national survival in the context of prolonged regional conflict. Its examination of how states balance security requirements with moral obligations remains relevant to contemporary debates about warfare and national defense.

Readers note the book makes a strong case for Israel's military actions while acknowledging moral complexities. Many appreciate Lozowick's personal perspective as a former peace activist who shifted views after working at Yad Vashem. Liked: - Detailed historical documentation and research - Balance of moral philosophy with factual analysis - Clear explanations of complex geopolitical issues - Personal anecdotes from author's experience Disliked: - Some found tone defensive or apologetic - Critics say it downplays Palestinian perspectives - Several note redundant arguments in middle chapters - Format can be dense and academic Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (83 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (52 ratings) Notable review quotes: "Presents difficult truths without flinching" - Amazon reviewer "Made me question my assumptions about the conflict" - Goodreads user "Too one-sided despite claims of objectivity" - LibraryThing review "Valuable insider perspective but needs more opposing viewpoints" - Goodreads reviewer

The Just and Unjust Wars by Michael Walzer This work establishes the ethical and philosophical framework for analyzing military conflicts that Lozowick applies specifically to Israel's wars.

The Case for Israel by Alan Dershowitz The book presents historical documentation and legal analysis examining Israel's military actions and policies through the lens of international law.

Six Days of War: June 1967 and the Making of the Modern Middle East by Michael Oren This account provides detailed military and diplomatic analysis of a pivotal conflict that shaped Israel's strategic position and subsequent military engagements.

Israel's Wars: A History Since 1947 by Ahron Bregman The text offers systematic examination of Israel's military conflicts through strategic and political perspectives, complementing Lozowick's moral analysis.

War Without End: Israelis, Palestinians, and the Struggle for a Promised Land by Anton La Guardia The book examines the philosophical and historical foundations of the ongoing conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians through documentation and primary sources.

🔹 Yaacov Lozowick served as Israel's State Archivist from 2011 to 2018, giving him unique access to historical documents and records that informed his writing. 🔹 Just War Theory, which forms the analytical framework of the book, dates back to Ancient Rome and was significantly developed by Christian theologians like Augustine of Hippo in the 5th century. 🔹 Michael Walzer, whose work heavily influenced this book, wrote the seminal text "Just and Unjust Wars" (1977) while teaching at Harvard University during the Vietnam War era. 🔹 The 1982 Lebanon War, which the book critically examines, was Israel's first war that wasn't widely viewed as purely defensive, leading to significant internal debate within Israeli society. 🔹 Before writing this book, Lozowick served as the director of archives at Yad Vashem, Israel's Holocaust memorial, an experience that shaped his perspective on Israel's security challenges.