Justice in the Eye of the Beholder

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Gabriella Avivi "

Dr. Joseph Larkin "

October 14, 2014"

Justice in the eye of the Beholder"

Justice is a common word and a familiar concept. The Oxford English Dictionary"

defines the "just" as people who do "what is morally right" and tend to give "everyone his

or her due," and offers the word "fair" as a synonym. However, applying in practical

situations what the word justice means, or what the concept of justice encompasses is

not so simple and most individuals and institutions have different definitions of justice,

what it means, and how it applies to everyday life. The word also changes meaning with

the situational attitudes of those who are affected. Globally, it is an is an issue spoken

about, discussed and argued over without end and it still remains a very gray area,

especially when put into use and when dealing with the constant struggle of its concept.

After having experienced first hand what it means to be caught in the middle of a cause

that was ,and still is, considered just by some and unjust by others and having lived in a

country forced to regularly justify the defense of it's citizens, it's not so easy to give

justice an exact definition."

During the most recent conflict between Israel and Gaza, it is easy to see how

the concept of justice is clouded by perception and self-interest. Under the guise of

demanding justice for it's citizens,Hamas demanded an end to the Israeli and Egyptian

blockade, an end to the fishing right limitations that had been set, and a release of the

Palestinian prisoners who had been taken into custody after the abduction and murder

of three Israeli youths. Israel said the blockade was necessary to prevent arms being

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shipped to Gaza,