The Israeli military often claims the mantle of "the most moral army in the world". Yet the devastating effects of its campaigns in Gaza and the successive human rights investigations into them offer us a very different picture. What explains this discrepancy? Based on research from a new book, this talk will show that ethical practice is in fact inseparable from the military violence of Israeli settler colonialism. However, the aim of this ethical practice is not the protection of Palestinian lives. Instead, ethics help to sustain a militarist ideology in which participation in colonial violence is seen to reflect soldiers' moral character. This serves to improve combat motivation, justify past violence, support militarist identities, and deflect political criticism. In fact, so strong is the grip of this ideology of military ethics in Israel that it calls into question political strategies premised on the advancement of moral critique. Using examples from the teaching of military ethics in the army and pre-military academies, as well as observations of veterans' anti occupation activism, this talk by Dr James Eastwood of Queen Mary University will show how ethics can function as a weapon of war.

When? 5 December, 5.30-7.30pm

Where? SO.13 (Social Studies)

This event is open to all staff and students—but you must bring your Warwick ID card to show at the door.

Organised by PAIS International Relations & Security Cluster and Warwick for Justice in Palestine