Thanks for the clarification as Rabbi Yitzhak Shapira clearly demonstrated the right of free speach as promoted by the right wing religious fanatics.

Remember when you point a finger at someone you are pointing 3 fingers at yourself. It’s not that the seculars hate the orthodox it’s the orthodox who cannot abide anyone who does not agree with them. They also have the delusion that only their interpretation of Torah & Halacha is correct. In as much as the ultra-orthodox shun military service, they will not be able to defend themselves or the land for any length of time. They also seem to forget that G-D helps those who help themselves. The reliance on miracles to save Israel in the past has proven futile. The best situation would be the ability of all Jews to tolerate the beliefs of other Jews without trying to make every one like them. The removal of religion from politics is essential to survival in the 21st century. In the mean time the ultra-orthodox need to realize and respect the sacrifices made by the rest of Israel that allows them to live here.

At first, the Allies did not go after civilian targets per se, during WW2. Most civilians were relocated out of the cities (Germany, England). To Hitler, this was total war however and forced his military to do aweful things. To win the war, the Allies needed to break the morale the enemy..including bombing civilians (who worked Axis). Milliohns of slave laborers were also put at risk. I know of incidents whereiin captured girls were killed by the bombings AND their captors. Israel does not face these choices...but perhaps goes too far in placating its enemies: warning of strikes ( Cast Lead) and distributing flyers or contacting places to be bombed beforehand. But no matter, the UN accused it of "excesswive force" in using live fire recently. I ask, what if they were allowed to enter Israel and proceed south? What were their plans? Were they just innocents? If one passanger leaves Ben Gurion, will he or she use the chance to protest the W. Bk by killing Jews? Food for thought.

Let's get one thing straight--this book is not the work of God, but the work of a human being and contains his interpretation of what the Torah says. As far as "collateral damage" goes, context is king and the question will always remain--what was the intent? #30 reminds us that the Allies carpet bombed German cities, but doesn't mention that this only served to stiffen German resistance, just as the Blitz on London strengthened Britain's resolve in 1940. There's a great difference between deliberately targeting civilians (including children) and civilian deaths resulting from legitimate conduct. Where the rabbi should have been more careful is in his wording--as it is, some of his statements are ambiguous and the Israel-haters work overtime to spin those statements into something they're not.

So rabbis that don't recognize Israel as a halachic state, think it is kosher to murder non-Jews that threaten Medinat Yisrael, without direct intent or proof of intent of actual harm?

The reason Israel exists is due to observance of Torah and the keeping of the 613 mitzvot, not secular military might. The sacrifice that the Seculars make is partly what insures the continual existence of Israel!! Are you going to put on Tefillin? Are you going to study Torah in a Kollel all day? Are you going to daven with passion and fervor? Are you going to keep Shabbat? These things secure the existence of Israel!!! Helping ourselves is one thing but what are we without the Torah and Hashem????