The “cycle of violence” theory rests on the notion that each side resorts to violence only in response to violent acts committed by its opponent. But the Hamas terrorist attack was not in response to violence by Israel. On the contrary, the October 7 attack was in response to peacemaking efforts by Israel. As President Biden stated, its purpose was to derail efforts to normalize relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Sadly, it appears to have succeeded.
There is nothing new in this strategy. Israel’s fiercest enemies have used violence, not in response to something Israel did, but as a weapon of first resort. It is a surefire method of gaining support for the terrorists. Yasser Arafat launched the 2000 Intifada, not in response to any attacks by Israel, but in response to American and Israeli peacemaking efforts at Camp David.
If Israel holds back out of fear of contributing to a “cycle of violence,” it will not avoid violence. It will just allow its enemies the freedom to choose where and when to inflict that violence.
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