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When Perceptions Ignore History

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Dr. Irwin J. Mansdorf - Despite a quick Israeli investigation and acceptance of responsibility for the unintentional strike that killed seven aid workers from the World Central Kitchen (WCK) in Gaza on April 1, governments and world leaders were quick to condemn and demand a ceasefire. An academic study in 2018 showed that hundreds of medical facilities were targeted in various conflicts worldwide, including strikes carried out by American forces, which resulted in civilian casualties. Despite the history of unintentional civilian casualties as a "fact of war," with even the UN noting that 90% of wartime casualties are civilians, the rush to judgment against Israel continues. In a war where psychological factors play an essential role, perception often becomes a reality. The false and contrived perception of Israeli intentionality in the WCK tragedy may be misperceived and create obstacles to defeating Hamas and restoring stability and security to the region. Governments that benefit from fresh intelligence and understand battlefield reality know that Israel's behavior is within the limits of "just war" guidelines. To the degree that political expediency clouds moral judgment, any resultant policy adjustment represents a psychological victory for Hamas and other terror-based organizations. The writer is a clinical psychologist and a fellow at the Jerusalem Center specializing in political psychology.
2024-04-09 00:00:00
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