Posted on 12/07/2004 9:08:47 AM PST by yonif
Following reports that an IDF soldier shot a wounded Arab terrorist to death, a leading rabbi in the national-religious community justifies the killing of terrorists - wounded or otherwise.
In an article published on the Hava Books website, dedicated to the publication of Rabbi Shlomo Aviner's books and articles, Rabbi Aviner explains that, in principle, the immediate execution of a terrorist is justified, even mandated, by Torah law. Emphasizing that ultimately it is the military that decides on its operational directives, the rabbi provides two explanations of his position that killing a terrorist, wounded or not, is a Torah imperative:
"First of all, the objective of the terrorists is not to carry out a single murder, rather, they want to kill more and more. Therefore, as long as he is alive, we do not know what will occur; he may heal, be freed from jail and kill again. We have already seen many times that terrorists freed in various exchanges were recaptured trying to attack again.... And the second reason [to kill the wounded terrorist] is so that 'they will see and be afraid'; that is, deterrence. If a terrorist knows that in prison he will receive pleasant, appropriate treatment, after which he will be released as a national hero, then the element of deterrence is gone."
In the article, Rabbi Aviner also addresses the morality behind the Torah position, as he sees it:
"It is not enough to preach lessons on morality while allowing evil to run wild and fill the world with widows and orphans. Morality is to fight the war against the murderers! The murderers are fighting against the world of morality by various means, including psychology. They present themselves as moral and the forces fighting against them as immoral. Therefore, a strong stand must be taken against this [phenomenon]; to the contrary, it is extremely moral to fight and wipe out terrorism.
I can live with that.
Tell that to the poor bastard who's being Court Martialed for doing the same thing as any one of us would do in Fallujah
sounds good to me.
I'm fine with this. I never saw what the big deal was about our Marine finishing off that "insurgent" in the mosque. If it were up to me, this would be a matter of course, going in and polishing off the wounded before they can strike again. I'm not into the whole "Wait, time out, I'm wounded! Hold on.... let me just get... my... hand.... on this... grenade... Okay! I'm back!" That's just bull.
With men like Rabbi Avener, it's little wonder the Jews have survived the millenia.
Hats off to a clear thinker!
Ping.
Well, yes, what did the terrorists have in mind? If a mad dog breaks into your house, and you only wound it, should you stop from killing it?
amen to that.
What Would Joshua Do?
Sure, killing any murderer is moral. What is immoral is sparing their life.
We forgive, because we have to. We are the grafted in branch.
"Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us." Namely, upon asking forgiveness. If asked, forgiveness absolutely must not be denied. If not asked, patience may still be prudent.
no arguement here.
And, "do not take your own vengeance, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God"
Their country, their immigration laws.
I fear Greeks even when they bear gifts.
Then you should understand Jewish wariness of Christian evangelism.
"I'm fine with this. I never saw what the big deal was about our Marine finishing off that 'insurgent' in the mosque."
Is it also no big deal when the Iraqis do the same to our guys?
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