NTD spoke with Rabbi Yaakov Menken—the managing director at the Coalition for Jewish Values—for his take on the moral landscape facing Israel and the global community, and how other countries should evaluate their attitudes toward what is the only democracy in the Middle East. What are the ethical responsibilities of the global community in the face of the terrorist threat posed by Hamas?
“The primary obligation of the world community is to treat Israel not like an anti-Semite treats Israel, but treats Israel like any other first-world country faced by a terrorist threat,” Rabbi Menken said. The only way to secure a permanent cease-fire would be to destroy Hamas, he believes.
“Israel has to finish the job—Hamas must be utterly eradicated,” he said. “This is a challenge between good and evil.”