Q&A: The War in Gaza
The War in Gaza
Question
What is the Rabbi’s view about deliberately harming uninvolved people in war, or harming them as collateral damage?
And also, how is it morally possible that in order to protect ourselves we kill tens of thousands, when even in the most horrific scenarios this would prevent only a few dozen deaths over the next ten years?
Answer
I have written my view more than once. In my opinion, morally speaking, it is permissible to kill all of them down to the last one if that is necessary for our defense. They all have the status of a pursuer. Of course, one must not harm someone uninvolved for no reason if it is not necessary for achieving the objectives. See my article on the Defensive Shield dilemma.
There is no meaning to measuring and comparing casualty numbers.
That is not relevant in the law of a collective pursuer.
Discussion on Answer
Correct.
Was it legitimate at the time for those who defined Rabin as a pursuer? They claimed that he was causing serious harm to security.
The question is unclear to me. If they thought he was a pursuer, then that is what they thought. Were they right? No.
I understand that this is also an answer on the moral level, and not only a halakhic one.