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Reprint of Yochanan Gordon’s “When Genocide is Permissible” (Updated)

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Earlier today the Times of Israel published the article “When Genocide is Permissible” by Yochanan Gordon. They have since taken it down but we are republishing it here as representative of part of the discourse in the American Jewish community. According to Gordon’s bio at the Times of Israel his father is the founder of The Five Towns Jewish Times in Nassau County, NY which is “committed to showing the best of our Orthodox Jewish community, while reflecting reality.” The article is still posted there.

Update:

The article has been taken off the The Five Towns Jewish Times website with this explanation:

An article that was posted earlier today on our website dealt with the question of genocide in a most irresponsible fashion.  We reject any such notion or discussion associated with even entertaining the possibility of such an unacceptable idea.

The piece should have been rejected out of hand by editors but escaped their proper attention.  We reject such a suggestion unequivocally and apologize for the error.

Gordon has reportedly ended his twitter account, citing security concerns. He has now also issued an apology for the article, but he doesn’t seem to get it:

I wish to express deep regret and beg forgiveness for an article I authored which was posted on 5TJT.com, Times of Israel and was tweeted and shared the world over.

I never intended to call to harm any people although my words may have conveyed that message.

With that said I pray and hope for a quick peaceful end to the hostilities and that all people learn to coexist with each other in creating a better world for us all.

When Genocide is Permissible by Yochanan Gordon

Judging by the numbers of casualties on both sides in this almost one-month old war one would be led to the conclusion that Israel has resorted to disproportionate means in fighting a far less- capable enemy. That is as far as what meets the eye. But, it’s now obvious that the US and the UN are completely out of touch with the nature of this foe and are therefore not qualified to dictate or enforce the rules of this war – because when it comes to terror there is much more than meets the eye.

I wasn’t aware of this, but it seems that the nature of warfare has undergone a major shift over the years. Where wars were usually waged to defeat the opposing side, today it seems – and judging by the number of foul calls it would indicate – that today’s wars are fought to a draw. I mean, whoever heard of a timeout in war? An NBA Basketball game allows six timeouts for each team during the course of a game, but last I checked this is a war! We are at war with an enemy whose charter calls for the annihilation of our people. Nothing, then, can be considered disproportionate when we are fighting for our very right to live.

The sad reality is that Israel gets it, but its hands are being tied by world leaders who over the past six years have insisted they are such good friends with the Jewish state, that they know more regarding its interests than even they do. But there’s going to have to come a time where Israel feels threatened enough where it has no other choice but to defy international warnings – because this is life or death.

Most of the reports coming from Gazan officials and leaders since the start of this operation have been either largely exaggerated or patently false. The truth is, it’s not their fault, falsehood and deceit is part of the very fabric of who they are and that will never change. Still however, despite their propensity to lie, when your enemy tells you that they are bent on your destruction you believe them. Similarly, when Khaled Meshal declares that no physical damage to Gaza will dampen their morale or weaken their resolve – they have to be believed. Our sage Gedalia the son of Achikam was given intelligence that Yishmael Ben Nesanyah was plotting to kill him. However, in his piety or rather naiveté Gedalia dismissed the report as a random act of gossip and paid no attention to it. To this day, the day following Rosh Hashana is commemorated as a fast day in the memory of Gedalia who was killed in cold blood on the second day of Rosh Hashana during the meal. They say the definition of insanity is repeating the same mistakes over and over. History is there to teach us lessons and the lesson here is that when your enemy swears to destroy you – you take him seriously.

Hamas has stated forthrightly that it idealizes death as much as Israel celebrates life. What other way then is there to deal with an enemy of this nature other than obliterate them completely?

News anchors such as those from CNN, BBC and Al-Jazeera have not missed an opportunity to point out the majority of innocent civilians who have lost their lives as a result of this war. But anyone who lives with rocket launchers installed or terror tunnels burrowed in or around the vicinity of their home cannot be considered an innocent civilian. If you’ll counter, that Hamas has been seen abusing civilians who have attempted to leave their homes in response to Israeli warnings to leave – well then, your beginning to come to terms with the nature of this enemy which should automatically cause the rules of standard warfare to be suspended.

Everyone agrees that Israel has the right to defend itself as well as the right to exercise that right. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon has declared it, Obama and Kerry have clearly stated that no one could be expected to sit idle as thousands of rockets rain down on the heads of its citizens, placing them in clear and present danger. It seems then that the only point of contention is regarding the measure of punishment meted out in this situation.

I will conclude with a question for all the humanitarians out there. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu clearly stated at the outset of this incursion that his objective is to restore a sustainable quiet for the citizens of Israel. We have already established that it is the responsibility of every government to ensure the safety and security of its people. If political leaders and military experts determine that the only way to achieve its goal of sustaining quiet is through genocide is it then permissible to achieve those responsible goals?

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what has filled this US citizen’s head? Is this ok to say?

I am more committed than ever to block the stupid legislation that allows Israelis to have a visa waiver (well over 87% support this massacre & genocide! I don’t want them entirely free to come and go without scrutiny!)… there is much more to deal with as well, including US citizens that go to help massacre Palestinian civilians, and hatemongers like Yochanan Gordon promoting and celebrating genocide.

We also have much arduous work to do with Congress and the entire US government’s support of genocide.

Did Mondoweiss change the introduction for this piece, because I could have sworn I read here the name of the company he works for. This guy advocates genocide and he should be fired from his job.

Former Mayor Mike Bloomberg asserted that there is no limit to permissible responses to rocket attacks — no limit. So Bloomberg implicitly rejects the notion that a response can be disproportionate, meaning that he rejects international law (that makes such responses war crimes) and he, by implication, would see no problem with genocide — as long as the victims are Palestinian. Barack Obama’s vile indifference suggests he would acquiesce in such a move. And Chuck Schumer’s undiluted embrace of all Israel attacks that he would do the same as Obama, or worse.

I am forced to conclude that by “permissable” they must mean ‘permissable by God, right? I mean, who else do they ask for permission? So, that’s all settled.
Well, I’m glad He said “yes”. God forbid they should do anything He disapproves of.

Gosh, I’m a fool, I read it. So basically he’s telling us to get ready for an Israeli nuclear bomb.

“but last I checked this is a war! We are at war”

So if the Palestinians are the other side in a “war” I guess there’s nothing they can’t do, huh? Do Zionists know how stupid it is, in every way, to keep calling this a “war” when it’s not, and Israel hasn’t declared war? Maybe somebody ought to explain that to them.

Ah, Nassau County! I wonder how things are at my alma mamila, North Shore Synagogue?

That attitude is as American as apple pie. The only distinction is the use of the term genocide–people usually refrain from using it to describe their own attitudes because they know “genocide” is a crime, but I know I’ve seen utterly ruthless attitudes on comments after Yahoo articles and such. And I think maybe in the NYT comment sections, but I couldn’t swear to that. It’s hard to keep straight what disgusting things I’ve seen in which venues. But any time someone says it is just part of Arab culture or Islam to be violent or something along those lines, genocidal attitudes are just under the surface.