Two 5-year-olds – a Jew and a Gazan

Dec 14, 2023, 10:51 AM

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Rachel, 5 years old, was killed on October 7th; Fatima, also 5 years old was killed two weeks later.

Who is more innocent? Who is more guilty?

The question of their innocence is a separate question from the degree of guilt of their human killer.

Jews will feel more pain, sorrow, anger, and sympathy for the Jewish girl, Rachel. Palestinians will feel more pain, sorrow, anger, and sympathy for the Gazan girl, Fatima. But these are emotions. Innocence and guilt are legal terms. Are they equally innocent? Do they bear any guilt?

Anyone who says that one of these kids is more innocent than the other is guilty of one of the worst causes of this war and one of its worst outcomes: dehumanization.

About the Author

Born in London in 1949. Studied Maths at Warwick University. Came to Israel (WUJS program at Arad) in 1971. I became a citizen and served in the army in 1973. Returned to the UK in 1974. Worked in Information Systems. Married an American Orthodox woman in 1977 and moved to America. For a few years I have led a retiree philosophy class.