The legal right to public protest sits at the very heart of modern democracy. Protesting is viewed by many as a basic right to voice opinions on a variety of issues and gives people a sense that they have a legitimate say in how policies are made and decisions reached. In recent months, driven by all sorts of chaotic events across the globe, these protests have become increasingly intense.
Israel is now facing a deep social divide that has erupted in protests over the country. In Jerusalem, demonstrations have reached violent levels spurred on by anger over allegations of a corrupt leadership, ineffective management of the coronavirus crisis as well as overall resentment over the financial situation brought on by that crisis. Other demonstrations are more specific in their anger, targeting issues like why certain neighborhoods have been locked down while others have not, or inequality within society.
While the topics at play vary greatly from city to city and certainly from nation to nation, there is a common denominator in these protest movements calling for change in the status-quo or a general re-evaluation of how people are being treated. While the catalyst in the recent (and ongoing) American based protests was a shocking case of police brutality, the issues at play are not new ones but reflect on a decades-old allegation of inequality and abuse where segments of the population feel that they are being mistreated by the broader society.
While the target of these protests is often the sitting government, this is not always the case. And while protesters might seek to see that government unseated, it is well worth noting that as much as democracy supports these rights to demonstrate, that same system of governance ensures that regime-change can only be made possible through a legal and free system of elections. The “street” cannot be where policy is made, where leaders are elected or demoted.
- יחסי פרט וכלל במשבר הקורונה
- "לא תרדה באחיך בפרך"
- החיסונים נגד וירוס הקורונה אינם משיח
But the power of protest lies in advancing issues to the forefront of public concern and for that reason, its importance cannot be diminished.
Jewish tradition has long heralded this right, and, throughout the years, there are numerous examples of our sages using protest as a means to bring attention to issues of communal concern.
The right to protest is something to be championed not only by the demonstrating public but as much so by the target of that demonstration. Ruling authorities, and particularly democratically elected governments must know that they exist within a structure that thrives on accountability. Regardless of whether the ruling entity agrees with the position of the protesters, a government must never limit the right of the public to demand change. Stifling public opinion is something that we have seen in the most dangerous of regimes throughout history and is something which can never be condoned.
But as much as we defend the public right to demonstrate, it is as important to stress that this right must never be perceived as a green light for unrest and certainly not physical violence. Whatever anger and resentment one might feel over specific policies or decisions, this can never entitle the protester to act out against individuals or the police. In particular, it must be remembered that the job of the police is to protect the public interest and that job should be respected.
Similarly, a protester does not have the right to block traffic or take similar actions that could cause irreparable damage (either in time or in property,) to people who are completely innocent and often not connected to the issue in question. As mentioned, vandalism, looting or any other sort of destruction of public or private property can never be condoned in the name of legitimate protest.
The modern world is taught to believe that diversity of opinions and voices is a sacred value — and indeed the right for people to have differing beliefs is an understanding that deserves support both in Jewish and secular law.
But when people pervert that value in ways that endanger others and the public order, they are causing widespread harm to society at large. History and our tradition have taught us that this is a deeply dangerous process that is likely to end with the ultimate rejection of the democratic and ethical principles upon which our society prides itself.
Every demonstration must be guided by that understanding so that social justice and legitimate change can take place in a peaceful, respectful and ethical manner.
לקריאה נוספת:
- “אלימות של מפגינים פוגעת קודם כל במטרותיהם”
- מותר להפגין, אסור לפגוע
- האם זה נכון מוסרית לחסום כביש כחלק ממחאה?
black bottom gay chat
gay online webcam chat free
free chat network gay
cam chat gay
[url="https://chatcongays.com"]line group chat gay tampa[/url]
gay chat'
essay on customer service
[url="https://au-bestessays.org"]essay writing service toronto[/url]
essay writing service forum
essay writers
[url="https://bestcampusessays.com"]custome essay[/url]
help me to write an essay
custom essay org
[url="https://besteasyessays.org"]best essays writing service[/url]
write my essay discount code
persuasive essay helper
[url="https://bestessayreviews.net"]best essay website[/url]
can t write my essay
buy essays cheap
[url="https://bestessaysden.com"]help writing an essay for college[/url]
lord of the flies essay help
business school essay writing service
[url="https://bestsessays.org"]buy college essay[/url]
good essay writers
essay writing service toronto
[url="https://buyacademicessay.com"]need help writing scholarship essay[/url]
best essay helper
buy argumentative essay
[url="https://buy-eessay-online.com"]best essay writers[/url]
best rated essay writing service
cheap essays to buy
[url="https://buytopessays.com"]law school essay review service[/url]
the help essay prompts
custom essay writing service toronto
[url="https://cheapessaywritingservice1.com"]argumentative essay help[/url]
college application essay writing service
buy essay online for cheap
[url="https://customcollegeessays.net"]buy essay papers cheap[/url]
which essay writing service is the best
discount essay writing service
[url="https://customessays-writing.org"]custom essay writing reviews[/url]
essay writing service scam
best college essay writing services
[url="https://customessaywwriting.com"]essay writing service law school[/url]
service essays
the best essay writers
[url="https://customs-essays-writing.org"]essay service review[/url]
magic essay writer
essay writing service canada
[url="https://firstessayservice.net"]buy essay writing online[/url]
help in writing essay
college entrance essay writing service
[url="https://geniusessaywriters.net"]online essay writing service[/url]
automatic essay writer
cheapest essays writing services
[url="https://howtobuyanessay.com"]website for essay writing[/url]
essay helper app
essay writing service forum
[url="https://lawessayhelpinlondon.com"]write my essay help[/url]
civil service essay
essay writing service law
[url="https://lawessayhelpinlondon.com"]essay writers online cheap[/url]
good customer service essay
essayhelp
[url="https://ukessayservice.net"]custom essay station[/url]
need help to write an essay
essay editor service
[url="https://writemyessaycheap24h.com"]college essay ideas help[/url]
top 10 essay writing services
Türkiye Haberleri
professional essay writing services
[url="https://bestcampusessays.com"]essay writing assignment help[/url]
essays on service
how can i pay someone to write my essay
[url="https://besteasyessays.org"]academic essay writing service[/url]
online essay writer
best writing service
[url="https://bestessayreviews.net"]help writing college essay[/url]
best online essay writer
best essay writer service
[url="https://bestessaysden.com"]which essay writing service is the best[/url]
customer service essay
the help book essay
[url="https://bestsessays.org"]write my history essay for me[/url]
custom law essay
academic essay writing service
[url="https://buyacademicessay.com"]essay help forum[/url]
us essay writers
college admission essay help
[url="https://buy-eessay-online.com"]will someone write my essay for me[/url]
essay writing service legit
write my essay students
[url="https://buytopessays.com"]essays on the movie the help[/url]
do essay writing services work
israel national anthem ringtone download https://ringtonessphone.com/israel-national-anthem.html
the jumping dinosaur game https://chromedinos.com
best ringtones https://ringtonessbase.com
wwe theme songs https://downloadfreeringtoness.com/wwe-theme-songs-ringtones
city sounds https://sounddeffects.com/city-sounds
coursework history
[url="https://brainycoursework.com"]creative writing english coursework[/url]
coursework moderation