Israel, the United States, and the War Against Hamas, July-August 2014 The Special Relationship under Scrutiny

Launched in 2014, “Operation Protective Edge” saw heavy fighting between the Israel Defense Forces and Hamas in Gaza. The US government media spokespersons confirmed Israel’s right to self-defense, and condemned Hamas for initiating the conflict and its use of human shields. However, US government public criticisms relating to Gazan civilian loss of life damaged Israel on the international stage.

Political and military policies have to be directed to prevent a rift, but the “Protective Edge” experience brought to the fore that in times of crisis Israel cannot rely on a “special relationship” to secure its safety. It must possess the political will and military ability to take actions that may result in a strained relationship.

Zaki Shalom is a member of the research staff at the Israeli Institute for National Security Studies and at Ashkelon Academic College. In 2007 he was awarded the Prime Minister’s prestigious David Ben-Gurion Memorial Prize.

Contents

Introduction
I. Hamas and Israel
a. Background
b. Operation Cast Lead
c. Operation Pillar of Defense
II. Operation Protective Edge
a. General Background
b. The Abduction and Murder of Three Israeli Teenagers
c. The Abduction and Murder of Mohammad Abu Khdeir
d. Rising Tensions
e. The Warfare in Gaza – General Observations
f. Justification of the Operation
g. Hamas’ Measures to Maximize Civilian Casualties
h. Military Phases of the Operation
i. Palestinian Authority versus Hamas
III. Policy of the United States throughout Protective Edge
a. The Balance between “Right to Defend” and “Disproportionate Response”
b. The Mediation Efforts of Turkey and Qatar
c. US Punitive Measures Against Israel?
d. US Positions on Protective Edge – A Chronological Survey
Conclusion
Notes
Index