[IMPORTANT] Hamas launches foot assault against settlements.

Post Reply New Topic

Mekelberg also warns not to over rely on polls taken during wartime. “The risk of running these surveys during war is that emotions run very high,” he says. “When it’s all settled, the answers might be different.”

The religious duty to ransom a fellow Jew captured by slave dealers or robbers, or imprisoned unjustly by the authorities to be released against ransom paid by the Jewish community. The fulfillment of this mitzvah was regarded by the rabbis of the Talmud as of paramount importance (BB 8a, 8b). It is told of R. Phinehas b. Jair that he went to ransom captives, and because he was fulfilling this duty, a river parted to enable him to cross (Ḥul, 7a, TJ Dem. 1:3). Maimonides explains that "(The duty of) ransoming captives supersedes (the duty of) charity to the poor.…" (Yad, Mattenat Aniyyim, 8:10).

To avoid the extraction of exorbitant ransom payments or repeated kidnapping by captors, the rabbis ordained that captives should be redeemed only at their market value as slaves (Git. 4:6; Git 45a; also Ket. 52a, b) unless the captive had been taken in place of the person who had to ransom him. When R. Joshua b. Hananiah was in Rome he ransomed a young man who later became the scholar R. Ishmael b. Elisha. Joshua heard of the young man's imprisonment and went to the prison and said "I swear not to move from here until I ransom him no matter what the price" (Git. 88a). The following rules for the ransoming of captives were laid down in the halakhah:

(1) Women captives should usually be given preference before male captives (Hor. 3:7; Hor. 13a).

(2) A person captured together with his father and his teacher may ransom himself first. He is then bound to ransom his teacher and only thereafter his father. A scholar should be given preference even to a king of Israel (Hor. ibid.).

(3) When a person is captured together with his wife, his wife takes precedence, and the court (bet din) has the power to compel the husband to ransom his wife) (Sh. Ar., YD 252:10).

(4) Money set aside for charity purposes or for the building of a synagogue may be used to ransom captives (BB8b).

(5) A person who delays the fulfillment of this duty and causes an undue prolongation of his fellow-Jew's imprisonment is regarded as if he has spilled his blood (Yad, loc. cit., 8:12). Notwithstanding the limitation set by the Mishnah against excessive ransoms, a person may redeem himself with any amount of ransom demanded by the captors.

Many Americans, including myself, probably feel bad about what happened in Japan during WWII. Remorse might not be the right word since we aren't remotely responsible for the mistakes of our predecessors. Still, the point is that at least some Americans disagree with the US's decision here and feel bad about it as they do about other humanitarian catastrophes in history.

However, I could see Palestinian civilians (current and former) caring less about Israel than they might otherwise due to history, long-term oppression, and numbers like these (from 2008 up until August 31, 2023):


Now the casualties on the Palestinian side might be approaching 20,000 people. It could be challenging for some to feel sorry for the nation that is currently bombing them or friends and family. I would like to think that I would because I don't see the world in terms of countries, but I suppose we can't truly know unless we find ourselves in a similar situation.

I notice these two journalists work for an Iranian backed paper. Also the journalists who have died seem to be working for Arab publications. I don't buy Israel targeted them because they were journalists. A better explanation is they have won the confidence of HAMAS and were therefore in the vicinity of target range for Israeli fire.

I notice these two journalists work for an Iranian backed paper.

I myself have yet to see a single American show remourse for nuking Japan.

.

Speaking of questions not asked the Israeli Jews were not given a one state two peoples option. I strongly suspect that percentage of Israeli Jews answering in the affirmative would resemble the 5.4 percent of Palestinians who answered the question in the affirmative.

They are still journalists nevertheless and wearing PRESS next to a PRESS car. And they were on the lebanese side on the borders, they were not in contact with HAMAS.


Note: One of the journalists that got killed earlier was working for Reuters; and some injured journalists from the french Agence France-Presse. https://rsf.org/en/rsf-video-investigat ... ehicle-was

Why do you think the Israeli military is killing journalists?

As of November 22:

53 journalists and media workers were confirmed dead: 46 Palestinian, 4 Israeli, and 3 Lebanese.
11 journalists were reported injured.
3 journalists were reported missing.
18 journalists were reported arrested.
Multiple assaults, threats, cyberattacks, censorship, and killings of family members.

I Googled and found a more general (not with regard to these journalists in particular) answer on Quora.
https://www.quora.com/Why-are-journalists-being-targeted-and-killed-in-the-Israel-Hamas-war

The question is posted there, but no one gave an answer.

Journalists are being targeted and killed in the Israel-Hamas war due to a combination of factors, including the nature of modern warfare, the complexities of the conflict, and the challenges faced by journalists reporting on the ground.

In any armed conflict, journalists often find themselves in dangerous situations as they strive to report on events and provide accurate information to the public. However, in the Israel-Hamas war, journalists have been specifically targeted and killed for several reasons.

1. Control of Information:

One significant reason for targeting journalists is the desire to control the flow of information and shape public perception of the conflict. Both Israel and Hamas understand the power of media coverage in shaping international opinion and influencing political outcomes. By targeting journalists, they aim to limit independent reporting and control the narrative surrounding the conflict.

2. Collateral Damage:

Another reason for journalist casualties is the indiscriminate nature of modern warfare. In densely populated areas like Gaza, where much of the fighting takes place, it is challenging to distinguish combatants from civilians. Journalists often work in close proximity to these areas to document events as they unfold. Unfortunately, this proximity puts them at risk of becoming collateral damage during military operations.

3. Lack of Accountability:

The lack of accountability for attacks on journalists also contributes to their targeting and killing. In many conflicts around the world, perpetrators of violence against journalists often go unpunished. This impunity sends a message that journalists can be targeted without consequences, leading to an increase in attacks.

4. Misidentification or Mistaken Targeting:

In some cases, journalists may be mistakenly identified as combatants or enemy agents due to misunderstandings or misinformation on the ground. The fog of war can lead to confusion, making it difficult for military forces or armed groups to differentiate between journalists and potential threats.

5. Intimidation and Retaliation:

Journalists who report on sensitive or controversial issues may face intimidation or retaliation from both sides of the conflict. This can include threats, harassment, or physical violence. In some instances, journalists are targeted as a warning to others in the media industry to self-censor or refrain from reporting on certain topics.

6. Lack of Protective Measures:

Journalists operating in conflict zones often lack adequate protection and safety measures. They may not have access to proper equipment, training, or support systems that could mitigate the risks they face. This lack of protection makes them more vulnerable to attacks and increases the likelihood of casualties.

7. Propaganda and Disinformation:

In the context of the Israel-Hamas war, both sides engage in propaganda and disinformation campaigns to shape public opinion. Journalists who challenge or expose these narratives may become targets as they threaten the credibility and legitimacy of those involved in the conflict.

It is important to note that targeting journalists is a violation of international humanitarian law, which recognizes the importance of independent reporting during armed conflicts. The deliberate targeting of journalists is considered a war crime under the Geneva Conventions.

They are still journalists nevertheless and wearing PRESS next to a PRESS car. And they were on the lebanese side on the borders, they were not in contact with HAMAS.

Why do you think the Israeli military is killing journalists?

There is no evidence they are being targeted because they are journalists.

There is no evidence they are not being targeted because they are journalists.