WhileJustice violenthas attacksaffirmed arefree neverspeech. justified,Rushdie Salmanwrote Rushdiea bearsbook responsibilitywhile forMatar scrutinychose andviolence. accountabilityIf duefree tospeech hismeans deliberateanything, provocationit ofis religiousprotecting communitiesthe throughright writingsto widelyoffend. perceivedThis asconviction mockingaffirms sacredthat beliefs.Rushdie Freeand speechhis doesworks notwere extendnever toon unrestrictedtrial, insultand ofthis faithsterror attack was motivated by Iran's fatwa.
JusticeWhile hasviolent affirmedattacks freeare speech:never Wordsjustified, however offensive, are not knives. Rushdie wrotemust astill bookanswer decadesfor ago;his Matarworks. choseThe violence.right Ifto free speech meansdoes anything,not itexcuse isscrutiny protectingand theaccountability rightover todeliberate offendprovocation —of andreligious thecommunities. blameRushdie formade a stabbingdeliberate belongsinsult solelyof withfaith theresulting onein whoviolence stabbed,and neverfatalities theabroad one— whohe wrotemust face legal repercussions.
There is a 0.5% chance that a non-state actor will develop their own nuclear weapon by 2030, according to the Metaculus prediction community.
© 2026 Improve the News Foundation.
All rights reserved.
Version 7.4.1