Benefit of the Doubt for Terrorists?

Question:

We are commanded to judge everyone positively, and with love. How do we apply this to the Palestinians, who wish to wipe Israel off the face of the earth?

Answer:

Human beings are created in the image of G‑d; this means that every human being has potential to be truly G‑dly. But we are also born with the freedom to choose. As we grow and mature, we make decisions. Lots and lots of decisions... Will we live up to this G‑dly potential or not?

Of course we are meant to always look at another person as a G‑dly being and therefore approach him/her with positive feelings and with common human love. However, in a situation where we know that someone's intention is harmful, we are not supposed to simply deny that reality and act foolishly.

If I know someone is dealing drugs at the corner of my kids' school, I'm not meant to ignore that reality and simply approach this person with love. I'm duty-bound to protect my children; I have to recognize this person's potential for destruction and act accordingly.

We are not commanded to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. If we know with certainty that someone is a liar, we assume he is lying until proven otherwise. If we know someone is a murderer, we do not allow ourselves to be alone in a room with him. If someone says he wants to destroy us, we assume he means it and, again, act accordingly.

I believe in the innate goodness of humankind. And, for the most part, I believe that many many individual Palestinian men and woman want simply to live normal peaceful lives. However, when a population is indoctrinated by its leaders, both political and spiritual, to do evil.... When a whole population is indoctrinated with hatred... Then those that this population is intent on destroying must take every measure to protect themselves.

I believe that there will come a time when, indeed, all of humanity will revert to their G‑dly self, when hatred will be a word for the past, when everyone will be educated to desire only peace.

Let us pray that this is in the near future.

Wishing you all the best,

Bronya Shaffer for Chabad.org