Israel, Gaza and Lebanon, proportionality and preemptive strikes.

Fr. Charles McCarthy, a Melkite Catholic priest in Massachusetts, argues that it might be a “mortal sin” to vote for either Donald Trump or Kamala Harris in this 2024 Presidential election, since each, he says, are in various ways complicit in “grave evil” by supporting and enabling Israel’s “ongoing genocide” [in Gaza and beyond] “by any means necessary,” and so knowingly participate in what is intrinsic grave evil.

In order to answer and refute him, one must prove that Israel’s ongoing war continues to be a Just War, beyond any scruple about the Catholic  teaching on Proportionality in war, and one must show that preemptive slaughter here (or in the wars of any aggrieved nation) is both necessary and just. Especially on this scale.

Meanwhile, we must pray and work for a solution. Israel did not start this war. A just response in my opinion was inevitable and even necessary. But can Israel and the United States continue it, even after Hamas’ October 7th leadership has been brought to justice?

+ Christian Villages were neutral. But that didn’t save them.

*|* What’s next for Syria’s Christians After Assad’s Fall? (Opinion)