Catholic Culture, Phil Lawler:
In my post here yesterday I argued that in the wake of the terrorist attacks by Hamas, a military response from Israel is morally justifiable—in fact obligatory—by the traditional standards of just-war theory. But as I cautioned, a just cause does not guarantee a just war.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican Secretary of State, made the point in a statement today: “It is the right of those who are attacked to defend themselves, but even legitimate defense must respect the parameter of proportionality.” He might have added to that the parameter of discrimination; the Israeli response should target the Hamas militia members, not the innocent civilians of Gaza. Continue reading here.
