You cannot register for this webinar

The moral discourse surrounding the war between Israel and Hamas frequently employs or assumes the language of the just war tradition, including the following terms: combatants, noncombatants, proportionality, discrimination, and just cause. These and other just war terms emerged over hundreds of years as a part of a complex tradition of reflection on when war can be morally justified. However, current usage of this language by some scholars, religious leaders, and the media lacks awareness of the debated meanings of these terms and how the concepts relate to one another. CCJS presents a two-part series entitled “Contemporary Jewish and Catholic Perspectives on Just War.” The aim of the series is to deepen mutual understanding of both communities’ perspectives on just war traditions today. This program aims to build mutual understanding among Catholics and Jews on the interpretation of the principles of the just war tradition. What are the just war criteria according to the Catholic and Jewish traditions, and how are these interpreted today? Moreover, how did the Second World War impact contemporary views of just war? Are just war criteria relevant? Does the nature of contemporary war and the problem of terrorism require a new set of just war criteria? Is it necessary to evaluate contemporary conflicts according to the just war criteria and how should this be done?