First of all, is it really true that delusional lefties, journalists, students and academics really think that this war, which started on October 7, 2023, was Israel’s fault? Sadly, this cannot be denied.  That intellectual and moral rot started in on the very next day, on October 8, 2023. Then, almost three dozen student groups affiliated with Harvard University blamed the Jewish state for the carnage of the previous day. They did so even before the IDF had taken any action whatsoever to counter these terrorists, or made any attempt to free the 250 hostages taken by Hamas.  Here is a direct quote from these future leaders, ugh, of our country; they “hold the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence.” This particular drumbeat continued pretty much to the present day. All throughout the course of this war, Israel has been blamed for “genocide.” For example, according to one spokeswoman for the United Nations: “… the genocide in Gaza is the most extreme stage of a long-standing settler colonial process of erasure of the native Palestinians…” But genocide is the purposeful act of aiming to kill women and children. Hamas certainly did this on that fateful day, and has done so until the present. In very sharp contrast, the IDF never engaged in such despicable activity. Yes, it fought Hamas terrorists, and there was collateral damage, but this was entirely their fault, as they embedded themselves in Mosques, hospitals, schools, etc., using Gazans as shields. Is Israel not supposed to fight its enemies when they do such things? That would be the opinion of all too many commentators. It is akin for a call for national Israeli suicide. Proof that the charge of genocide is nonsensical? The average army kills nine innocent civilians for every enemy soldier dispatched. What is the Israeli ratio? It is 1.5 to 2. That is, for every Hamas fighter killed in battle, there are only 1.5 to 2 civilians who suffer death as collateral damage. This is due to the fact that the IDF drops leaflets before bombs to protect such folk, and risks the lives of its own soldiers to this end. If the only civilized country in the Middle East had wanted to commit genocide, there would have been virtually no Gazans alive after a few days of the Aqsa Flood of that day of infamy. Now, a ceasefire is in the process of implementation. It consists of several stages. There are complications over who, when and where which parties are to relocate, whether the Israeli army will retain any presence in Gaza, which Hamas hostages are to be released at what time in trade for the freeing of just how many Palestinian prisoners, and precisely which ones. All that now seems clear is that eventually, if all goes to plan, every Hamas held hostage will be released, as will take place for many, many more fighters now occupying Israeli jails. Although a majority of Israelis may support this agenda, my fear is it will be a disaster for that nation. The lesson learned by its enemies will be clear: kidnap a few Jews from that country, and its government will respect you. The Knesset will treat you not as the criminals you are, but almost as a sovereign nation, deserving of deference. It will, forsooth, engage in a treaty with you. Happily, our police in the U.S. do not make treaties with rapists and murderers. Without this agreement, how can Israel best protect itself against the Sinwar clones it is in the process of releasing? Simple. Conquer its other enemies. Compel them to surrender. No more Mr. Nice Guy. Stop coddling these barbarians. Stop worrying about the UN, campus socialists and other apologetics for genocide. Happily the Biden-Harris Administration will no longer be able to compel Israel to fight with one hand tied behind its back. Related Articles Commentary | The Legislature must act to approve cheaper fuel blend for California drivers Commentary | Gloria Romero: To honor Dr. King, President Trump should declare a national education emergency Commentary | The Laken Riley Act misses the target Commentary | Safeguarding the safety and integrity of girls’ sports in California Commentary | Fires spark a larger conversation: One-party rule has failed Californians What should Israel learn from these last 15 months? Develop a serious arms industry. Stop being dependent upon fair weather friends in the West for munitions. Most of all, remember that Hamas is not the prime enemy. It is, rather, Iran, which uses Hamas, Hezbollah and Houthies as proxies. When the head is cut off, the snake dies. The ceasefire with Hamas is now in effect. Some of the hostages seized by this terrorist group have now been released; more are to follow, if this agreement is adhered to. Unhappily hundreds if not thousands of future Sinwars will also be freed.  But there is no treaty with Iran now in force; its oil fields and nuclear installations are still in place, thanks to the threats made against Israel if the IDF should take them out by former President Biden (please pardon me, I really like the sound of that). I strenuously doubt that President Trump will object to Israel safeguarding itself against a future Iranian nuclear attack by so doing. Obviating this threat is one good way to make The Middle East Great Again. Walter E. Block is the Harold E. Wirth Eminent Scholar Endowed Chair and professor of Economics at Loyola University New Orleans.