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Rabbi Kanievsky to Paramedics: Don’t Save Terrorists

Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky, one of the leading haredi authorities on Jewish law, instructed members of the United Hatzalah paramedic organization not to treat injured terrorists in a meeting Thursday.

From Arutz 7:

Heads of the organization arrived at the Rabbi’s house, and after receiving his blessing inquired as to the halachic issues involved in treating terrorists at the site of terror attacks.

The Rabbi clarified that in cases in which it is clear to the paramedics who among the wounded is the terrorist, paramedics should not treat the terrorist before those wounded in the attack – even if the terrorist is more seriously injured.

Furthermore the Rabbi instructed that if the terrorist was in a life threatening condition, they should leave him or her to die.

Click here to continue reading at Arutz 7.

13 Comments

  • yc

    Sometimes it is a matter of pikuach nefesh in that the terrorist will continue to attack, even someone who is trying to treat him.

  • declasse' intellectual

    The Goan, shilta, just violated political correctness with his statement. If yhou treat them first, those who can be identified as terrorists, then how can you hold by the Shulhan Aurch which justifies launching a preempitve war even on Shabbos?

  • Andrea Schonberger

    While I am not qualified for the position of judge, jury, and executioner it’s great to know that there are folks out there who have been given the green light to fill it.

  • Jay Sorid

    American law has no legal duty to rescue for private civilians or private volunteer organizations.

  • To Jay Sorid

    Guess what would happen to hatzolah in the US if they decided not to treat someone because of race, religion or any other group identity. Even on shabbos!
    If u can b identified as an EMT you MUST triage and treat everyone equally. Even if you are “just” a volunteer. Even if the animal just killed someone.
    What the Rav said took a lot of mesieras nefesh and he should be blessed for it.

  • Disgusting

    How dare you tell a medical profession what to do. I am a paramedic and an ED RN and I am outraged by him and those who follow what he says to do. Two wrongs don’t make a right. I know many medical professionals and holocaust survivors that are ashamed of this rabbi. Thank goodness there are people like me in this world that provide compassion, kindness and caring to everyone, despite of what I think of them as a human.