I wonder if those in Israel’s war cabinet, and especially Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, are familiar with and remember Shakespeare’s works, particularly Act IV, Scene 1 of the Merchant of Venice, which includes the folllowing famous poem:
Portia. The quality of mercy is not strain'd, 2125
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath: it is twice blest;
It blesseth him that gives and him that takes:
'Tis mightiest in the mightiest: it becomes
The throned monarch better than his crown; 2130
His sceptre shows the force of temporal power,
The attribute to awe and majesty,
Wherein doth sit the dread and fear of kings;
But mercy is above this sceptred sway;
It is enthroned in the hearts of kings, 2135
It is an attribute to God himself;
And earthly power doth then show likest God's
When mercy seasons justice. Therefore, Jew,
Though justice be thy plea, consider this,
That, in the course of justice, none of us 2140
Should see salvation: we do pray for mercy;
And that same prayer doth teach us all to render
The deeds of mercy. I have spoke thus much
To mitigate the justice of thy plea;
Which if thou follow, this strict court of Venice 2145
Must needs give sentence 'gainst the merchant there.
Perhaps someone could bring the play, and especially all of IV. 1, to his attention, before his entire country suffers a fate comparable to Shylock's.
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