On September 7, 2004, A small number of Rabbis associated with a few hesder yeshivot (religious seminaries that combine combat IDF service and Torah study), together with Rabbi Dov Lior who heads the Yesha Rabbinical Forum, released a
message calling on the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) to change its operating protocol regarding civilians in combat zones. The rabbis state that today, we are in a time of war and as such, "Palestinian civilians" and armed gunmen must be treated equally, rejecting a "Christian ethic which demands placing the lives of our enemy ahead of our lives". The prominent Torah scholars explain that Rabbi Akiva teaches us how to respond in time of war, that our lives take precedence, and at present, the situation does not permit us to differentiate between terrorists and the PA civilian population.
Rabbis for Human Rights has issued a
rebuttal, claiming that the sources in the message were taken out of context, while emphasizing the need to be courageous in trying to convert our enemies into our friends. In our message we state that "There is no doubt that the IDF has both the right and the responsibility to protect the citizens of the country from those who come to murder them. However this right does not relinquish the IDF from the responsibility to the lives of innocent men, women and children that were created in the image of God, even though that in their midst are those who are arising to murder us"
Learn about this timely issue
Who is courageous? Those that convert their enemies into their admirers
Rabbis for Human Rights rebuttal to the message by Rabbis associated with hesder yeshivot and the Yesha Rabbinical Forum
[PDF HEBREW 37
KB]
Arise and kill first he who comes to kill you
Proclamation signed by Rabbis associated with hesder yeshivot and the Yesha Rabbinical Forum
[PDF ENGLISH 13
KB]
Rabbis Proclaim Absolute Right to Self-Defense
Leading Rabbis proclaim that Israel's security needs override the welfare of Arab civilians living in the terror-infested Palestinian Authority.
Left wing calls rabbinical forum message incitement
Israel National News September 9, 2004 television report featuring M.K. Yossi Sarids criticism of the Rabbinical Forums proclamation, while calling for a more humane and tolerant approach.
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