[INTER 2103] The best defense is a good offense

Asa Kasher is the in-house philosopher of the IDF. He argues that Israel's obligation to defend its citizens and soldiers is prior to the obligation not to harm innocent Palestinians (non-combatants). As Kasher puts it:

From the standpoint of the state of Israel, the neighbor is much less important. I owe the soldier more. If it's between the soldier and the terrorist's neighbor, the priority is the soldier. Any country would do the same.

Kasher's argument is based on the assumption that Israel is justified in defending itself from terrorism. But in what sense is Israel "defending" itself?

Do you agree with Chomsky that an occupier cannot be said to be "defending" itself?