Speaking Evil of a Gentile

Sources: However, it is stated in the Midrash Devarim Rabba (Section 6, Paragraph 9): concerning what is written (Psalms 50:20) "You sit and speak against your brother; you slander your own mother's son," Rabbi Yochanan stated, if you become accustomed to speaking against your brother who is not your true brother, in the end you will slander your own true brother. And the Radal wrote there that it is clear from here that it is forbidden to speak lashon hara about an idol worshiper. So too wrote Rabbi Yisrael Salanter zt”l in "Iyunim" on the book Orchot Chaim of the Rosh (Letter Pei Gimel). And see the explanation of Rabbi Chaim Kanievsky shlit”a in his commentary "Hashem Orchotav," where he stated that although there is no prohibition according to the Torah to speak about him, since he is not included in "you shall not go about as a gossipmonger among your people," it is possible that it is forbidden rabbinically, and he left it as something requiring further examination. And further, see Rabbi Natan Karelitz shlit”a in the book Chut Shani laws of Shemirat Halashon (Page 57), who also holds that there is a rabbinical prohibition against speaking lashon hara about a gentile, and the reason for the prohibition is so that one does not become accustomed to speaking lashon hara, as explained in the aforementioned Midrash; however, he added that all the prohibition applies only to a gentile who observes the seven commandments of the children of Noah, but concerning a gentile who does not observe the seven commandments, this prohibition does not apply, as he is no worse than an evil Israelite, about whom it is permitted to speak.

However, in contrast, see the Netziv zt”l in Ha'amek She'ela (Question 28, Letter 1), who wrote that it is impossible to say that the words of the Midrash apply to a gentile, as a gentile is not your brother (see Baba Kamma 116b); rather, it refers to a convert, and because his conduct is bad, as it is stated in Masechet Ketzot (Baba Metzia 59b), therefore it is permissible to speak lashon hara about him, and this is forbidden since he is your brother. And also see Rabbi Beryl Zilber zt”l in his Teshuvot "Az Nidberu" part 14 (Siman 619, Letter 4) and in his commentary "Maakor Chaim" on the Rosh there, as well as Rabbi Moshe Klein zt”l in his commentary "Derech Yashar" there, and Rabbi Moshe Shternbuch shlit”a in his commentary there, who all concluded that there is no prohibition against speaking lashon hara about a gentile, and the intent of the Midrash is that there is a good practice not to speak lashon hara about a gentile so that one does not become accustomed to speaking lashon hara and, in the end, will begin to speak lashon hara about a Jew as well.