Renowned US War Theorist Michael Walzer Brands Israel's Gaza Campaign a 'Criminal Effort'
Tel Aviv/Jerusalem — In a stark rebuke amid the protracted Israel-Gaza conflict, prominent US political theorist Michael Walzer has described Israel's military operations in Gaza as a "criminal effort," accusing the country of pursuing conquest and Palestinian expulsion while neglecting profound ethical concerns.
Walzer, a leading voice in just war theory and author of the seminal book Just and Unjust Wars, made the comments as the war enters its third year following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. His criticism, published this week, underscores growing international scrutiny of Israel's conduct in the conflict, even as domestic debates intensify over security along the Gaza border.
According to reports from Middle East Eye, Walzer argued that Israel's actions in Gaza represent a failure to adhere to ethical standards in warfare. He specifically claimed that the campaign aimed to "conquer Gaza and expel Palestinians," highlighting what he sees as a disregard for civilian protections and proportionality—core principles in his own framework for evaluating armed conflicts. The remarks coincide with imagery of displaced Palestinians living in tents along Gaza City's seafront, captured on December 28, 2025, amid ongoing humanitarian challenges.
Walzer's intervention comes at a sensitive juncture. The war, triggered by Hamas militants killing around 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostages, has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza's Health Ministry figures cited by the United Nations. Israel's military objectives have included dismantling Hamas infrastructure, rescuing hostages, and ensuring long-term security, but operations have led to widespread destruction in Gaza, with over 90% of the population displaced at peaks of the fighting.
Differing Israeli Responses to Gaza Border Life
As the conflict persists into late 2025, a notable development has emerged along Israel's Gaza border: divided public sentiment over resettlement in previously evacuated communities. Following two years of war, some Israelis are contemplating or initiating returns to kibbutzim and towns near the border, such as those in the Sha'ar HaNegev region, which were depopulated after the October 7 incursions.
Reports indicate a spectrum of responses. Optimistic residents, citing improved military fortifications like the expansion of the Gaza barrier and increased IDF presence, view repopulation as a symbol of resilience and normalization. For instance, community leaders in places like Kibbutz Be'eri—site of one of the deadliest attacks—have signaled plans for phased returns, bolstered by government incentives and psychological support programs. However, others express profound hesitation, traumatized by the initial assault and ongoing rocket fire, with surveys showing a majority of evacuees unwilling to return without ironclad security guarantees.
This border movement debate, which gained traction around December 31, 2025, reflects broader societal tensions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has promoted the resecuritization of the area, allocating billions in shekels for buffers zones and surveillance tech. Critics, including opposition figures and security experts, warn that premature returns could expose civilians to renewed threats from Hamas or other militants regrouping in Gaza.
Background on the Israel-Gaza War
The conflict's roots trace back decades, but escalated dramatically on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a multi-front assault, breaching the border fence and overrunning southern communities. Israel's response involved airstrikes, ground invasions, and a blockade, aiming to eradicate Hamas's military capabilities. By early 2026, intermittent ceasefires have faltered, with recent escalations tied to hostage negotiations and aid disputes.
Internationally, the war has polarized opinion. The International Court of Justice has examined allegations of genocide brought by South Africa, while the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Hamas leaders in 2024. The US has provided unwavering military aid to Israel—over $17 billion since October 2023—while urging restraint on civilian casualties. Arab states and human rights groups decry the humanitarian toll, with UN reports documenting famine risks and infrastructure collapse in Gaza.
Walzer, an octogenarian scholar affiliated with Princeton and the Institute for Advanced Study, has long engaged with Israel-related ethics. A self-identified "critical enthusiast" of Israel, his earlier writings defended aspects of the initial response to October 7 but evolved toward sharper critique as the war prolonged. In recent essays, he has questioned the proportionality of destruction and the lack of a viable postwar plan for Gaza.
Israeli officials have dismissed such characterizations, with spokespersons emphasizing that operations target militants and that Hamas embeds in civilian areas, inflating casualty figures. Defence Minister Israel Katz recently stated, "Our actions are defensive and precise, saving lives on both sides by preventing future attacks."
Outlook Amid Stalemate
Walzer's "criminal effort" label amplifies calls for accountability, potentially influencing US policy debates ahead of congressional reviews. Yet, with Hamas retaining hostages and launching sporadic attacks, and Israel vowing no withdrawal without demilitarization, prospects for resolution remain dim.
The Gaza border resettlement push symbolizes hope for some but risk for others, testing Israel's social fabric. As displaced Palestinians endure tent encampments and Israelis weigh returns, the war's ethical and human costs continue to mount, far from the conflict's foreseeable end.
(Word count: 712)
