Schlichter’s statement is obviously true. Assassinating the heads of Hamas and Hezbollah? Forcing Iran’s Supreme Leader to move to a secure location? Surviving Iran’s 200 ballistic missiles with only 8 deaths? Yes, I’d call that humiliating its enemies.

But recall what General Grant said. When Robert E. Lee surrendered at Appomattox, Lee and his staff dejectedly mounted their horses to go home. Grant came out with his larger staff and ordered them to remove their hats out of respect.

An officer came up to Grant and protested. “General, we’ve just finished a horribly bloody civil war. Why are you doing this?”

Grant replied, “Given time, I may befriend a man I’ve beaten, but not a man I’ve humiliated.” He was looking forward to living next to former enemies. Israel must do the same. But the difference is that Southerners did not want to exterminate Northerners, they just wanted to be left alone. Israels enemies want not victory but genocide. How do you reconcile with people like that?

Israel humiliated its enemies in the Six Day War of 1967. But this was soon followed by the knock-down, drag-out Yom Kippur War of 1973. Still, no general war has occurred since then, until now.

Grant knew what he was talking about. Humiliating an opponent only evokes more hatred and resentment. So Israel exists on a knife edge. If they lose, they are exterminated. But if they win too easily, another war soon follows. So they have to win, but not too easily. I’m afraid that’s what they just did. This is hardly an enviable situation. But there it is.