A Private Study #0006

Narrator/Moderator: Sam Blumenthal

A Private Study #0006: The War in Gaza — History, Conduct, and Moral Reckoning

Overview

The war in Gaza has emerged as one of the most emotionally polarizing, ethically fraught, and politically consequential conflicts of our time. It confronts us with difficult questions about history, warfare, propaganda, justice, and human suffering. In this session, we will explore the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, examine how this war is being conducted, and evaluate the competing claims of genocide, proportionality, and national self-defense. Most importantly, we will ask: as Americans, how should we think about who to support, what to condemn, and what justice looks like?

Key Concepts

1. Historical Context: From the founding of Israel and the 1948 Nakba to the rise of Hamas and the Gaza blockade

2. October 7 & Aftermath: Understanding the catalyst, scale, and implications of Hamas’s attack and Israel’s response

3. Modern Warfare in Urban Environments: Civilians, human shields, and asymmetric tactics

4. Genocide vs. Warfare: Legal definitions, moral frameworks, and competing interpretations

5. American Responsibility: Military aid, public discourse, and political pressure

Pre-Seminar Reading

• Amnesty International investigation concludes Israel is committing genocide against Palestinians in Gaza — Amnesty.org

• How the Media Manufactured a ‘Genocide’ — Tablet

• When Things Fall Apart - Compounding Thoughts

• A three-state solution is the only viable future for Israel and the Palestinians — Noahpinion

• Andrew Roberts: The Historical Case for Trump’s Gaza Plan — The Free Press

• A genocide is happening in Gaza. We should say so. — The Washington Post (Opinion)

• An Insider’s Guide to the Most Important Story on Earth — Tablet

• Israel—and America—Have No Choice but to Act — The Free Press

• Miracles and Madness: Israel at 75 — The Free Press

• The Nakba did not start or end in 1948 — Al Jazeera

Seminar Objectives

1. Understand: Develop a well-rounded understanding of the conflict’s history and present dynamics.

2. Analyze: Examine claims of war crimes, genocide, and self-defense with legal and moral precision.

3. Debate: Explore whether this war is fundamentally different—or tragically familiar.

4. Reflect: Ask what role Americans should play as citizens, voters, and global observers.

Guiding Questions

History and Roots of the Conflict

1. How did Gaza come to be what it is today—a densely populated, blockaded, and politically fractured territory?

2. What responsibility lies with Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and global actors?

3. How did the 2005 disengagement and the 2007 Hamas takeover shape the long-term trajectory of Gaza?

The Conduct of the War

1. What happened on October 7, and why was it so consequential?

2. How is Israel conducting its military campaign, and how does that compare to historical wars in urban, civilian areas?

3. What is the proper response?

4. What is the military strategy of Hamas, and how does it make judgment of proportionality more complex?

Is This Genocide?

1. What constitutes genocide under international law?

2. Are accusations of genocide justified, premature, or politically motivated?

3. Can a state defend itself against a terror group without committing disproportionate harm?

Media, Propaganda, and Narratives

1. How does media shape how we perceive the conflict?

2. What narratives dominate on TikTok, in universities, in synagogues, and on cable news—and why?

What Should Americans Do?

1. Should the U.S. support Israel unconditionally? Conditionally? Not at all?

2. What are the consequences of U.S. military aid—both morally and strategically?

3. Who should American citizens pressure: Israel? Hamas? The U.S. government? All of the above?

Potential Areas of Contention

1. Is the Israeli campaign in Gaza proportionate self-defense or collective punishment?

2. Can Hamas be criticized without being seen as justifying Israel’s actions—and vice versa?

3. Is it possible to support Palestinian liberation while condemning Hamas’s brutality?

4. Is the international community holding all sides equally accountable—or playing favorites?

Discussion Guidelines

• Engage ideas, not identities: Respect deeply held beliefs, but challenge all arguments with reason.

• Listen to discomfort: These issues are painful because they matter.

• Seek clarity over certainty: Ask questions to learn, not just to win.

• Hold nuance and contradiction: Two wrongs do not make a right—and two truths can coexist in tension.

Codes of Conduct

1. Be Prepared: Come with facts, humility, and openness.

2. Be Engaged: Speak truthfully, but listen generously.

3. Be Civil: Challenge ideas, not people.

4. Be Curious: Ask why someone believes what they do before dismissing it.

5. Be Courageous: This conversation matters—don’t opt out because it’s hard.

Follow-Up

1. Reflection: Journal your thoughts after the session—what changed, deepened, or stayed the same?

2. Resources: Share balanced readings from human rights orgs, military analysts, and scholars on both sides.

3. Feedback: Help improve the next session by sharing how this one went.