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This is what Berl Katznelson had to say about the Jewish people, violence and morality

Self-restraining and defense

... It is weird to talk now on moral principals. We are a nation of great
culture, in the basis of this culture lies the cherish of human lives. And I

doubt if weather after achieving this attitude of respect and cherishing
towards life, after thousands of years of education, it is now worthy to
give it up. But over the last few decades we have gone through
assimilation. Not only an assimilation of speech, but also a spiritual
assimilation, which has reduced our objection to bloodshed. This resistance which lied deep

within us. We absorbed a lot of the spirit of the world around us. We lived in Russia, a
country that has very different culture to ours, and also here in Eretz Israel there is a
great distance between our culture to that of our neighbors. A distance of generations
separates us. In the depth of our souls we are afraid of blood. This deep quality who was
preserved in us is also the one of those standing in our way. If we would like to uproot this
quality it will not be easy. I also think that if we will do so, we will regret this tomorrow. In

the basis of "Hashomer", "HaHagana", Tel-chai, I see the foundations of standing on guard,
defense from the enemy, without a shred of revenge.

... I suppose that we did what we did not only because of our deep spiritual quality, not just
because of moral considerations, but also out of deliberation. A moral consideration has also

a side of great political deliberation. We knew that in the moment we will take the path of
revenge in this land, the question of blood vengeance. Once this will rise we will not get to
say the final word. If our response is towards the innocent- theirs will be towards whom
may come under their hands. The land is a desert environment, living on blood vengeance,
where urges and instincts are easily awakened. But peace is not easily built in this land.

... When there was an obvious attack on a Jewish settlement the question of self restraining
was not hard at all. It was obvious that we are standing on guard and when the enemy
attacks we do whatever we can. If we outnumber them, if we better armed, we respond.
This is a battle of two sides. Then there are also the rules of war which you must obey
while fighting.

What is the difficulty now?

War has been declared, but we are not the fighting side. The other side despises all rules
of war. When going out for war, hollow point bullets are forbidden. But for the enemy these
specifically are approved. They are allowed to attack every house, every old person or child.
They utilize every option for attack, every wanderer, in the city or in the village, on any

road, in the new and old city. The boy at school and the boy sleeping in his mothers lap are
all the objects of war. In this situation we must in advance stop and think weather we
should get involved in such a struggle? Hold the same means? Be an equal side to the
aggressor- meaning- to throw bombs at all places? Catch every wanderer and
victimize him?..."