I had no choice. We are facing extermination as a people. Only purity and unity of belief can keep us together. Yet this man tried to pollute our belief with subtle, seductive, but false teachings. Moreover, he undermined the authorities arrayed against us so publicly, that if we tolerated him, he would have brought their violence down upon us all.
No, it is better that this one man die, than the whole nation should perish. I would like to have protected him, but I had to think of all the people for which I am responsible. The essence of leadership is decision.
Besides, the whole council concurred with me. If I had been in error, surely someone would have dissented. And in any case, I had no choice.