--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The justice of a war basically refers to…" description: "\"The justice of a war basically refers to the question whether there is a right to attack in the first place. Justice in a war is concerned with whether..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d60/norman-finkelstein-8854_concerned_the-justice-of-a-war-basically-refers-to_3091518.png" --- # The justice of a war basically refers to the question… ![“The justice of a war basically refers to the question whether there is a right to attack in the first place. Justice in a war is concerned with whether the fighting happens in accordance with the international laws of war.” quote by Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d60/norman-finkelstein-8854_concerned_the-justice-of-a-war-basically-refers-to_3091518.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d60/norman-finkelstein-8854_concerned_the-justice-of-a-war-basically-refers-to_3091518.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d60/norman-finkelstein-8854_concerned_the-justice-of-a-war-basically-refers-to_3091518.png) > “The justice of a war basically refers to the question whether there is a right to attack in the first place. Justice in a war is concerned with whether the fighting happens in accordance with the international laws of war.” [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. War justice examines the legitimacy of initiating conflict and adherence to international law during war. **In simple terms:** War must be justified and conducted lawfully. Key Takeaway Assess legality before engaging in war. Themes war ethics international law legitimacy Mood analytical serious Type academic philosophical When to use this quote - military planning - policy debate - human rights advocacy - legal counsel Key Concepts Just war theory humanitarian law state sovereignty Questions to Reflect On - What criteria should determine a war's right to exist? - How can international law be enforced effectively? A Different Perspective Political interests often override legal constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [First place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/first-place/) [International law](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/international-law/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [War](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/war/) ## Related quotes > [The laws of war right now say that we can respond when our country is threatened. That is what international law says.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/the-laws-of-war-right-now-say-that-we-can-respond-when-our-country-is/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [I hear a lot of talk about civil war. I'm concerned about that, of course. And I've talked to a lot of people about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/i-hear-a-lot-of-talk-about-civil-war-i-m-concerned-about-that-of/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [I've become very, very liberal as far as war is concerned. It's just too terrible. I've been to wars and I've seen what happens.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taki-theodoracopulos/i-ve-become-very-very-liberal-as-far-as-war-is-concerned-it-s-just/) [Taki Theodoracopulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taki-theodoracopulos/) > [The place of justice is a hallowed place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-bacon/the-place-of-justice-is-a-hallowed-place/) [Francis Bacon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-bacon/) > [I need to take toward a lot of things that will refine me and make me better suited for leading anyone out of any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-parker/i-need-to-take-toward-a-lot-of-things-that-will-refine-me-and-make-me/) [Nate Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-parker/) > [“Written in the histories of the world are the laws of man, and the wars fought to defend those laws. Another war also exists,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-l-burrell/written-in-the-histories-of-the-world-are-the-laws-of-man-and-the/) [K. L. Burrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-l-burrell/) > [The laws of war, that restrain the exercise of national rapine and murder, are founded on two principles of substantial interest: the knowledge of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/the-laws-of-war-that-restrain-the-exercise-of-national-rapine-and/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [So far as I can see, the atomic bomb has deadened the finest feeling that has sustained for ages. There used to be so-called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/so-far-as-i-can-see-the-atomic-bomb-has-deadened-the-finest-feeling-2/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [International law says people fighting for self-determination can use force in order to achieve their independence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/international-law-says-people-fighting-for-self-determination-can-use/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [The sanctions may be imposed only by the decision of the UN Security Council. A unilateral imposition of sanctions is a violation of international…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-putin/the-sanctions-may-be-imposed-only-by-the-decision-of-the-un-security/) [Vladimir Putin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-putin/) > [The core issue here is that the Israeli government refuses to commit to terms of reference for the negotiations that are based on international…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahmoud-abbas/the-core-issue-here-is-that-the-israeli-government-refuses-to-commit/) [Mahmoud Abbas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahmoud-abbas/) > [We as a human family are on this train that is taking us into more and more war and more and more abuse of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mairead-corrigan/we-as-a-human-family-are-on-this-train-that-is-taking-us-into-more/) [Mairead Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mairead-corrigan/) > [“International law now covers vast and complex areas of transnational concern, including traditional topics, such as the position of states,59 state succession,60 state responsibility,61…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/international-law-now-covers-vast-and-complex-areas-of-transnational/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Historically, international law lent a measure of legality to the colonial system, and allowed the West to set the rules for participation as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-a-falk/historically-international-law-lent-a-measure-of-legality-to-the/) [Richard A. Falk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-a-falk/) > [The G7 and former G8 group has always viewed itself as a community of values, the annexation of Crimea, which is a blatant violation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-merkel/the-g7-and-former-g8-group-has-always-viewed-itself-as-a-community-of/) [Angela Merkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-merkel/) ## More by Norman Finkelstein > [The whole purpose of annual reviews is to keep you abreast of whether or not you are fulfilling the requirements of tenure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/the-whole-purpose-of-annual-reviews-is-to-keep-you-abreast-of-whether/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Public opinion in the United States has shifted significantly, not just outside but also within the Jewish community.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/public-opinion-in-the-united-states-has-shifted-significantly-not/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [There is a fundamental principle. People have the right to defend their country from foreign occupiers, and people have the right to defend their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/there-is-a-fundamental-principle-people-have-the-right-to-defend/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [They used to say Palestinians fight like heroes, now they say heroes fight like Palestinians](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/they-used-to-say-palestinians-fight-like-heroes-now-they-say-heroes/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Every year, the United Nations General Assembly votes on a resolution entitled 'Peaceful resolution of the Palestine conflict.' Every year, the vote is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/every-year-the-united-nations-general-assembly-votes-on-a-resolution/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [As one Israeli said, "It's a big mistake for Israel to say it 'won' the war, when there was no war. There were no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/as-one-israeli-said-it-s-a-big-mistake-for-israel-to-say-it-won-the/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Why should these Palestinians, who have lived in Jerusalem for hundreds of years, be evicted from their homes so that Jews from Brooklyn can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/why-should-these-palestinians-who-have-lived-in-jerusalem-for/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [I think Israel, as a number of commentators pointed out, is becoming an insane state. And we have to be honest about that. While…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/i-think-israel-as-a-number-of-commentators-pointed-out-is-becoming-an/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Personal convictions are not politics. Personal convictions, if they become the subject of a group conviction, they become a cult.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/personal-convictions-are-not-politics-personal-convictions-if-they/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [I earn - I'm not - I don't want to claim I'm a scholar of great stature, but I have made a certain reputation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/i-earn-i-m-not-i-don-t-want-to-claim-i-m-a-scholar-of-great-stature/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [They've (Israel) lost the battle for public opinion. They claim it's because American Jews know too little.. I claim it's because they know too…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/they-ve-israel-lost-the-battle-for-public-opinion-they-claim-it-s/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [I no longer say I'm unemployed. I say I'm unemployable. It's different. An unemployed suggests at a certain point in the future, you might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/i-no-longer-say-i-m-unemployed-i-say-i-m-unemployable-it-s-different/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Israel has been a stage on which American Jews have played out their fantasies of toughness - often from Martha's Vineyard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/israel-has-been-a-stage-on-which-american-jews-have-played-out-their/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [Mainstream Jewish intellectuals became 'pro'-Israel after the June 1967 war when Israel became the U.S.A.' s strategic asset in the Middle East, i.e., when…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/mainstream-jewish-intellectuals-became-pro-israel-after-the-june-1967/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) > [As Israel becomes like South Africa, it's increasingly becoming a pariah state, being excluded from culture at large.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-finkelstein/as-israel-becomes-like-south-africa-it-s-increasingly-becoming-a/) [Norman Finkelstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) [Explore all 77 Norman Finkelstein quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-finkelstein/) ## More Concerned quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. 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I am more concerned with continuity of ideas and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-oliveira/i-am-not-the-avant-garde-i-am-the-artist-who-comes-after-the/) [Nathan Oliveira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-oliveira/) > [What I was concerned about when I wrote the 'Downward Spiral' record was being a self-centred destructive force. The point was tearing down everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/trent-reznor/what-i-was-concerned-about-when-i-wrote-the-downward-spiral-record/) [Trent Reznor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/trent-reznor/) > [Listening is a very active awareness of the coming together of at least two lives. Listening, as far as I'm concerned, is certainly a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fred-rogers/listening-is-a-very-active-awareness-of-the-coming-together-of-at/) [Fred Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fred-rogers/) > [I am no different from a lot of people. I am concerned for the future of my children and concerned for the future of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barnes/i-am-no-different-from-a-lot-of-people-i-am-concerned-for-the-future/) [John Barnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barnes/) > [As far as Japan is concerned, I want to help all of our allies, but we are losing billions and billions of dollars. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/as-far-as-japan-is-concerned-i-want-to-help-all-of-our-allies-but-we/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [The time has come when the whole world must be concerned about me. 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