Justice and Peace in the Holy Land condemns the use of “just war” as a weapon

By Lisa Zengarini

The Commission for Justice and Peace in the Holy Land has condemned the use of the term “just war” as a weapon in Israel’s ongoing war in the Gaza Strip. Recalling the true meaning of the Church’s centuries-old teaching on the subject, as explained in the Catholic Catechism, the Commission firmly rejected the “just war” argument put forward by several political actors in Israel and abroad to legitimize the devastation and killing of civilians in response to the October 7 Hamas terrorist attacks.

Neither Hamas’ attacks nor Israel’s indiscriminate response are a “just war”

“This theory is being used in a way it was never intended for: to justify the deaths of tens of thousands of people,” the Catholic body said in a statement. “We cannot allow words like ‘just’ to be mobilized to justify injustice, cruelty and devastation. We must stand up for the integrity of the language because we remain convinced that true justice is still possible if we can hold on to its promise.”

“Neither the attacks by Hamas nor the devastating war that Israel waged in response meet the criteria of a ‘just war’ according to Catholic teaching,” the commission noted.

Principles of distinction and proportionality not observed

According to Catholic teaching, “in just wars, a clear distinction must be made between civilians and combatants.” However, this principle “has been ignored by both sides in this war, with tragic consequences,” the statement said.

They would also have to use force proportionately, “which is not easy to say about a war in which the Palestinian death toll is tens of thousands higher than that of Israel, and in which the clear majority of Palestinian victims are women and children,” the commission complained.

The Justice and Peace panel particularly objected to the proportionality claims of those who argue that the Palestinian lives lost in Israel’s relentless war against Hamas could potentially save the lives of Israelis in the future: “In doing so,” the panel said, “they are prioritizing the safety of hypothetical people in the future over the lives of living and breathing people who are killed every day.”

All wars are a “defeat” and a “deception”

The statement recalls Pope Francis’ endless calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages, and stresses that Israel’s right to self-defense following the Hamas attack “must be guided by the principles of distinction and proportionality and be consistent with international humanitarian law.”

The Justice and Peace Commission also questioned the legitimacy of war itself, echoing the words of Pope Francis and John Paul II that war is in reality always “a defeat for humanity” and even a “deception”.

Peace and justice for all in the Holy Land

The statement concludes by reiterating the Church’s passionate appeal for peace and justice for all in the Holy Land, Israelis and Palestinians alike: “It is time to end this conflict and prevent its escalation, which could lead to a world war. We must also find a language that opens new horizons.”