Article Response: Israeli Self Defense Isint a Option

Elliana Bogost
3-3-16
                         In the article  Israeli Self Defense Insist a Option, By Johnathon S. Tobin, adresses the debate on whether soldiers should use force in the event of the strain of stabbing attacks. Israeli Defense force general stirred up political controversy when he recently state, "When there is a 13-year-old girl holding scissors or a knife, and there is a barrier between her and the soldiers, I wouldn’t want a soldier to open fire and empty a magazine into a girl like that, even if she commits a very serious act. We don’t operate on the basis of [Talmudic] adages like ‘If someone comes to kill you, rise up and kill him first.’
We don’t kill anyone with a pair of scissors. A soldier can switch off the safety and shoot if he or his comrades are in danger. If our rules of engagement were in any way unethical, it would jeopardize all of the IDF."  This brought up controversy  on his view of who and when to use force. This is debated because of the age of attackers and intent. A lot of the time these attackers who are young, are brought up only knowing that , attacks like these are what they are trained to do. Another reason is that they may be put into a situation where this is a only way to keep themselves safe or their family ( they may be threatened).  In my personal opinion immediate force ( unless absolutely necessary ) is not needed. The use of restraint if it is a child or someone who surrenders is better. In some cases it might be better because if they want to punish them , they could make them see the victims family and apologize to them. It is more effective to negotiate peace.