Violence against Palestinians betrays the Torah

During the ongoing war with Iran, most Israelis are scrambling for bomb shelters, struggling to balance work and online schooling for their kids, or risking their lives as they respond to callups for military reserve service. But at a time when Israeli society is demonstrating extraordinary resilience, sacrifice and courage, a small minority of Jewish extremists have murdered Palestinians and committed more than 100 other acts of violence. 

Such behavior is morally wrong, violates Jewish law, and risks undermining Israel’s moral strength as it fights an existential war against the Iranian regime and its terror proxies. Even more disturbing is that the perpetrators of this violence identify as observant Jews, allegedly acting in the name of religion and the protection of Israel. In reality, they are allowing anger and hatred to override the most basic values of Judaism and targeting people solely because of their identity. Their behavior is also insulting to anyone serving in the IDF, which has taken special care to fight a just war according to moral and halakhic standards, even at risk of soldiers’ lives.

Some rabbinical leaders in Judea and Samaria, where most of these despicable acts occur, have indeed condemned the behavior. These leaders should be recognized for their courage and forthrightness. But more Jewish and Israeli educators and leaders, especially in the religious world, must speak out clearly about how wrong this violence is, and reaffirm the Jewish values that guide how we treat others. Without these moral foundations, Israel’s strength and valor cannot lead to victory or complete peace. Remaining silent about immoral behavior risks allowing violence and extremist mindsets to creep into the Jewish mainstream, even though at this time only a very small, misguided minority have committed such acts.

The Bible, Talmudic and halakhic sources repeatedly affirm the need to respect others and uphold a single standard of justice, including for those of different faiths, who are included in mitzvot such as giving charity and visiting the sick. “You shall have one standard for strangers and citizens alike; for I the Lord am your God,” reads Leviticus 24:22. 

Especially as Passover approaches, Jews should reflect not only on the freedom we gained, but on the responsibility that came with that freedom, which has been a cornerstone of our tradition. We were commanded to treat the stranger with dignity because we ourselves were once strangers in Egypt. That premise is a key underpinning to the kind of society we seek to build in the State of Israel.  

Relating to those of other faiths can be especially challenging at the current moment. My organization’s schools have lost 25 alumni since the attacks of October 7, 2023. Hundreds of thousands of Israelis have served in the reserves, and nearly every one of us has lost a friend, classmate, family member, neighbor, or coworker to ambushes, booby-trapped buildings, or missiles launched from within or near civilian sites in Lebanon or Gaza, including homes, hospitals, and schools. The Iranian regime and its terror proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen, embrace hateful ideologies, target civilians in Israel, and promote on the global stage the pernicious spread of antisemitism. Palestinian terror attacks continue to plague us on our roads and in our communities. Studies have found that 42 percent of young Israelis have PTSD; many others are sleep-deprived and anxious amid ongoing missile attacks, as well as grieving profound personal losses. 

In the fog of war, emotions can easily cloud judgment, making it even more essential for our leadership to condemn extremism and elevate Jewish values and human dignity, especially when even a few radicals encourage violence. At a time when Israel is fighting a just war against forces openly committed to its destruction, such actions not only betray Jewish values, they also undermine our soldiers, Israel’s moral standing, and national unity. 

We must do everything possible to shape our community to live by Jewish values and ensure that our challenges do not lead anyone, especially our youth, to resort to racism, violence or other forms of extremism. It is our religious duty.

“Justice, justice you shall pursue,” the Bible commands. Rabbi Ahron Soloveichik, one of the leading 20th-century American Torah scholars, explained that the repetition of the word “justice” teaches that righteousness must guide how we treat both Jews and those of other faiths. Holding fast to this value ensures that the freedom we gained during the Exodus, and the moral responsibility that came with it, will shape the legacy we leave for future generations.