Joint Reform Movement Statement on West Bank Settler Violence
Against the backdrop of so much anguish and crisis in Israel and Gaza, the mounting crisis of settler violence on the West Bank against Palestinian civilians is too often ignored. Albeit involving only a small number of settlers, the violence has intensified, as these settlers kill and injure Palestinians, steal their livestock, burn their olive trees, and destroy their property, terrorizing the Palestinian population in an attempt to clear Judea and Samaria for unfettered Jewish settlement. Since January of this year alone, some 404 incidents of settler violence have been documented, including a growing number of attacks on IDF soldiers and bases.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis, Union for Reform Judaism, and the American Conference of Cantors deplore the growing incidents of unchecked violence inflicted on Palestinians by Jewish settlers in the Occupied West Bank.
Most recently, these incidents have attracted wider attention internationally and particularly in the United States, subsequent to a violent attack by settlers on IDF troops as well as on the murder of an American citizen, Saifullah Musallet, who was visiting relatives in the West Bank village of Sinjil. U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has rightly demanded a full investigation.
A thorough investigation must be undertaken—not only of the murder of an American citizen, but also of the growing phenomenon of settler violence overall. Serious measures must be taken against these perpetrators. Too often, when Palestinians call the police and the army during an attack by settlers, both arrive too late to help the victims, if they arrive at all. Similarly, too often police or IDF soldiers are seen in videos or news reports standing by without acting to stop the violence. By contrast, when settlers call for help when Palestinians are simply protecting their own people and property, the army and police come quickly.
Given that the Israeli police force is controlled by Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir, and the civil administration of the West Bank is under the command of Finance Minister and Minister in the Defense Department Bezalel Smotrich, both of whom support expansion of West Bank Jewish settlements, none of this comes as a surprise, but it cannot be condoned. This government seems to tolerate and even encourage violence against Palestinians. Frequently, after a Palestinian civilian is attacked or murdered, several Palestinians are arrested, for example for throwing stones in a futile attempt to chase violent Jewish settlers from the Palestinian community, but no arrest is made in the murder itself. Moreover, little to no effort is made to remove illegal settlement outposts from which so many of these attacks emanate. Instead, the Israeli government provides infrastructure and utilities to these illegal outposts.
Torah teaches, “There shall be one law for the citizens and for the stranger who dwells among you” (Exodus 12:49). Allowing terror to be perpetrated by settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank is both immoral as well as a חילול השם (chilul HaShem), desecration of the Divine Name.
The Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the American Conference of Cantors join the demand for a full investigation of the murder of Saifullah Musallet, and call upon the Israeli government to expand that investigation to the examination of all West Bank settler violence and to impose criminal penalties on all who break the law—whatever their religion or nationality. Terrorism and violence cannot be tolerated by the government of Israel—not against Jews nor against Palestinians. Vigilante violence by West Bank settlers must end now.
Cantor Josh Breitzer, President
Rachel Roth, Chief Operating Officer
American Conference of Cantors
Rabbi David A. Lyon, President
Rabbi Hara E. Person, Chief Executive
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Shelley Niceley Groff, Chair
Rabbi Rick Jacobs, President
Union for Reform Judaism