An attempt at nuance, or a chance to be attacked on numerous fronts To note that a series of crimes is perpetrated by members of particular religion, based on an approach to that religions doctrines is reasonable and not anti that religion . Just as pointing out that rock-throwers in Bet Shemesh or people destroying Arab olive groves in Judea and Samaria are basing their moves on a particular reading of Judaism is not anti-semitism. To make this point is not to claim that all members of the religion or even a majority share that approach, or that this is the only approach to said religions doctrine. Todays cowardly terror attack was carried out by Muslims, who justify their actions in the name of Islam. That can not and should not be denied. At the same time, people need to be nuanced and recognize that there are many, hopefully even a strong majority of Muslims who reject this approach. On the other hand, at some point, one can no longer blame people when they become afraid of people from that religion. The Har Nof terror attack was carried out by men who worked in the community and Yehuda Glicks would-be assassin was employed in the institution where Glick appeared that night. Today, I read an article about a thwarted terror attack that was planned in Israel at a wedding hall that could handle about 1000 guests. The would be terrorists who were employed at the hall, hoped to inflict as much death as possible at a wedding. As a person who has grown up in the west, I am opposed to collective punishment. At the same time, at what point does it become nearly suicidal to employ Palestinians in jobs where they can murder people. I have mixed emotions about such a strategy, but if it reaches that point, the terrorists are the one who have harmed their own people. At some point, people are going to do what they need to in order to stay safe.
Posted on: Wed, 07 Jan 2015 22:57:55 +0000