Q&A: Incitement or Silencing
Incitement or Silencing
Question
Hello Rabbi, I would like to know what you think about the possibility of arresting people or firing them because of their opinions at this time.
For example, in cases of people who say that the terrible massacre happened because of the occupation— is it moral or democratic to arrest them for that? Where is the line between a critical opinion and incitement to terrorism?
I really can’t stand all the radical leftists, people who are hurting us badly at this time, but on the other hand I’m not sure we’re allowed to tell them to stop speaking, because then democracy is gone.
What is right, and what does the Rabbi suggest?
Answer
These days a crazy witch hunt is going on— even more than in ordinary times. Only when there is a tangible danger is there justification for silencing people or arresting them. In most of the cases being discussed, that is not the situation.
Thank you very much for the quick response.