Rising tensions in Gaza and Syria make it seem only a matter of when, not if major hostilities will renew between Israel and one or more of its neighbors. In any conflict, Hamas, Hezbollah, Syria, and Iran know their most potent weapon is to intentionally and illegally put civilians in harm’s way, and then conduct an information campaign hypocritically blaming Israel for the ensuing casualties.

Facing similar threats, the United States should recognize this difficult situation faced by Israel, preempt such deceitful moral and specious legal arguments by its adversaries, and defend its ally’s commitment to lawful self-defense.