Israelis are as justified in "defending themselves" as were the European Invaders of the Americas in defending themselves against the victims of that atrocity. That is...No Justification. Victims of genocide are simply not allowed to fight back.

And, related to that, the Israeli military govt is as much related to the religion and tenets of Judaism as the "conquerors" of the Americas were to the religion and tenets of Christianity. That is....No relation.