Ian Middlemist

"An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth" Some are quoting this text from the Hebrew scriptures with respect to the conflict in Israel and Gaza. The fuller quote helps us see why it might say more than they realise.... “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise. ' Exodus 21 The context shows that actually this is a text about the rule of law and proportionality. If there's a serious injury to someone you love then you are to settle this not through some personal vigilante violence but by involving the court. Importantly the scripture makes sure the punishment is appropriate to the crime. If someone injures someone you love's eye the temptation is to rain down violence on them and their family but the eye for an eye concept is to limit punishment. It is all about proportionality. The terror attacks on Israeli civilians were wicked, barbaric and inexcusable. Going after the perpetrators is entirely appropriate. But the mass displacement, blockading and bombing of civilians, especially children is not just.