The bombing of Gaza starting on May 9 has killed hundreds of civilians, destroyed large apartment towers, business districts, electricity and water infrastructure, roads and houses. Bombing civilian targets like these is a war crime under the Geneva Conventions, but Israel has demonstrated over the years that the rule of law does not apply to them. They don’t need to consider the UN, international treaties or public opinion, because they have the unlimited backing of the world’s most powerful ally. Some may think Israel’s behavior is uniquely awful in the world. Actually, everything they do follows the Americans’ playbook, usually in close collaboration.