Q&A: Amit Segal
Amit Segal
Question
Hello Rabbi,
Amit Segal wrote a post today in which he compares the media’s attitude toward protesters who blocked roads because of the constitutional revolution to its attitude toward Beitar fans who went down onto the field last night. He argues that some media figures behaved hypocritically, because while they carried the protesters on their shoulders, they condemned those who went down onto the field. In other words, according to him, both groups are lawbreakers, and both deserve the same treatment.
In my opinion the comparison is ridiculous; my friends think otherwise.
I’d be happy to hear your opinion on the matter.
Answer
I’m not familiar with either of the two cases. I take it that your question is whether the justification for rioting can affect the response to it. That is, in Beitar Jerusalem’s case these are just wild people, whereas in the protests against the reform this is an ideological protest arising from genuine distress, even if one does not agree with it.
I think the police are supposed to maintain order, and therefore they should not make that kind of distinction. In court, however, there is definitely room to take motives into account in order to lessen the punishment. The media also judges actions according to their value, so there too there is certainly room to take motives into consideration.