״תמות נפשי״: רגשות ומוסר בסכסוך הקיומי הישראלי־פלסטיני

In dark of the October 7 massacre and the 2024-2023 Israel-Hamas war, this article examines the emotional and moral dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict through the lenses of two biblical stories: the fall of Judge Samson and the judgment of King Solomon. For generations, many Israeli Jews and Palestinians have subjected themselves to Solomon's judgment: adopting an absolute sense of justice, they have claimed exclusive ownership over the entire land. Failing to achieve their “just” cause, realizing that right does not make might, they have tried to make right through might – and failed that too, alongside Samson. I argue that four “Samsonite” emotions drive the Palestinian Israeli conflict: Seeking absolute power over their foes (mission impossible), distrusting adversaries from within and without (undermining collaboration), basking in dread of humiliation and death (forgoing bold moves), and opting for faith-fueled fury (resorting to violence). This dangerous dynamic underlies the existential dimension of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.