Reply #7: Some parts of that relationship are complex.

[msmcghee]

Others are rather simple.

A simple one is that Israel has never tried to use force against her enemies except in defense of the lives of her citizens and her borders.

Her enemies have repeatedly used force with the avowed purpose of killing Israeli citizens and destroying the state of Israel.

That means that anything Israel reasonably does to protect the lives of Israelis and her borders is legal under international law - and every use of force that her enemies apply against her is illegal.

This is according to all UN rules of conduct between nations. While the philosophy and history and psychology of the cultures is all interesting - I'd be more interested in discussing those things after Israel's enemies are stopped.