During the ongoing war with Iran, most Israelis are scrambling for bomb shelters, struggling to balance work and online schooling for their kids, or risking their lives as they respond to callups for military reserve service. But at a time when Israeli society is demonstrating extraordinary resilience, sacrifice and courage, a small minority of Jewish extremists have murdered Palestinians and committed more than 100 other acts of violence. 

Such behavior is morally wrong, violates Jewish law, and risks undermining Israel’s moral strength as it fights an existential war against the Iranian regime and its terror proxies. Even more disturbing is that the perpetrators of this violence identify as observant Jews, allegedly acting in the name of religion and the protection of Israel. In reality, they are allowing anger and hatred to override the most basic values of Judaism and targeting people solely because of their identity. Their behavior is also insulting to anyone serving in the IDF, which has taken special care to fight a just war according to moral and halakhic standards, even at risk of soldiers’ lives.

Some rabbinical leaders in Judea and Samaria, where most........

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