Ah yes, the "you are not perfect therefore you are just as bad as they are" argument.

I am sorry but that does not wash in the real world.

Both sides have killed innocent civilians - yes, but our side does not target them nor does it hide among them. In fact our side goes to great pains to avoid causing any harm to them.

That alone should enable even the most uninformed observer to distinguish which side is morally superior (strategic interests or not).