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Surely it’s not difficult to make a distinction between the actions of a state and its leaders, and those of its citizens.

In every nation there are the good and the bad, the moderate and the extreme, the kind and mean, and everything in between. Most nations have a political spectrum similar to the European left and right. All have the religious and irreligious, secular and theist.

In both a democracy and autocracy, there are those that love their government, and those vehemently opposed to it. In most nations where freedom permits it, we find both protest movements intent on holding their government to account and confirmed patriots defending it come what may.

Some citizens may align themselves with their government absolutely. Some may stand with them on some matters and oppose them in others. Some citizens may oppose everything their governments stands for on ideological or practical grounds. Some may swing from one pole to another depending on their circumstances, individually or collectively.

To justify violence against civilians based on the conduct of their state or authorities is therefore suspect at the very least. Does an infant, child or adolescent have any say in the affairs of their family and community, much less their state? Can any of these be considered oppressors? And their parents and grandparents? Who can say?

Who is to say whether the one slain indiscriminately was a lifelong peace campaigner, dedicating their lives to advocating on behalf of the poor and oppressed, risking their lives to transport the sick and injured from the “other side” for life-saving hospital treatment? Who is to say if the one obliterated in an airstrike was humanitarian who had dedicated their life to serving others?

This is the folly of justifying attacks on civilians, wherever they may be. Perhaps you will wipe out would be allies, ensuring none take their place but your avowed enemies. Perhaps those you attack have for a lifetime been your greatest advocates, making strides to break down walls between communities. Perhaps you will seed nothing but hatred for generations to come. Certainly it will be an obstacle to any of their children or grandchildren ever coming close to your way.

Any sane individual must lament attacks on infants, children and adolescents, and on their parents resting at home, or on farmers working in their fields, or medics working in hospitals, or ambulance drivers responding to emergencies, or pregnant mothers about to give birth, or the man of the house toiling hard to provide for his family.

Let the belligerents do battle if they must, but leave the innocent out of it. Those who say there are no innocents have certainly transgressed the limits. Strive for peace and justice with every sinew of your being. Salamun alaikum.