Is There a Moral Majority in Israel?
In a recent essay, Israeli commentator Gershon Baskin reflects on the shifting public mood after nearly two years of war in Gaza. He highlights polling that suggests up to 80 percent of Israelis want the fighting to end and hostages returned, even if that outcome means Hamas remains in power and thousands of Palestinian prisoners are released.
Questions of Morality and Accountability
Baskin challenges Israelis to examine whether their desire to end the war stems from moral conviction or war fatigue. He raises pointed questions about the army’s self-image as “the most moral army in the world” and whether the public is willing to acknowledge accusations of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and famine conditions in Gaza.
He cites the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), a UN-backed body, which recently accused Israel of responsibility for famine in Gaza, reporting over half a million people in catastrophic conditions. Israel has dismissed the findings, but Baskin argues that without open access for international journalists, official denials lack credibility.
The Black Flag of Illegality
The essay describes a “black flag” hanging over Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank, including widespread destruction, displacement of millions, and continued settlement expansion. Baskin warns that silence among ordinary Israelis risks complicity in policies viewed internationally as violations of humanitarian and international law.
A Call to Israel’s “Moral Majority”
Despite acknowledging Israel’s cultural, technological, and democratic achievements, Baskin urges citizens to confront the reality of the war. He writes that true moral responsibility now lies in stopping the conflict, holding leaders accountable, and preventing the erosion of Israel’s legacy.
According to Baskin, whether Israelis act or remain silent will determine how history judges this period — as a defense of national values or as a “dark age” in the country’s story.