jewish terrorism and political violence acknowledged by ADL

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ADL and 6 other Jewish orgs denounce 'ongoing terrorism' by Jewish Israeli extremists
https://www.jta.org/2022/01/25/israel/adl-and-6-other-jewish-orgs-denounce-ongoing-terrorism-by-jewish-israeli-extremists

Seven American Jewish organizations released an open letter calling on Israel's top leaders to take "unequivocal action" to stop "ongoing terrorism and political violence committed by Jewish Israeli extremists in the West Bank against Palestinians, Israeli civilians, and IDF soldiers."

"We urge the entire Israeli government to unite in strong condemnation against these acts, to work decisively to hold those responsible accountable, and to confront the growing threats posed by these extremists with the determination and seriousness that this grave situation requires," they wrote.

The letter was signed by the Anti-Defamation League, the Central Conference of American Rabbis, the Israel Policy Forum, the National Council of Jewish Women, the Rabbinical Assembly, the Union for Reform Judaism, and the United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism. It was addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett as well as Foreign Minister Yair Lapid and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.

The letter, which does not use the word "settler," noted the damage done by such incidents to Israel's " image and relations with the United States government, American people, and American Jewry" as well as to Israel's status as a democracy.

Violent acts by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the West Bank have become increasingly common over the past year.

Earlier this month, settlers from a West Bank outpost that is not recognized by Israel's government attacked a group of human rights activists who were assisting Palestinian farmers in Burin, a village south of Nablus, in planting trees. The letter specifically cited the incident in Burin as "particularly egregious" but noted it is not an isolated incident.

Violent attacks perpetrated by settlers agains Palestinians in the West Bank in 2021 exceeding the previous year's attacks by nearly 50%, according to a report by The Times of Israel. The Biden administration has signaled that it is monitoring the phenomenon and last month the U.S. State Department's annual terrorism report included extensive reporting on settler violence.

JANUARY 25, 2022 | IN PRESS RELEASES
MAJOR JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS CONDEMN JEWISH EXTREMIST VIOLENCE
https://israelpolicyforum.org/2022/01/25/major-jewish-organizations-condemn-jewish-extremist-violence/

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett
Foreign Minister Yair Lapid
Defense Minister Benny Gantz
State of Israel



We write to condemn in the strongest possible terms the ongoing terrorism and political violence committed by Jewish Israeli extremists in the West Bank against Palestinians, Israeli civilians, and IDF soldiers. While the latest example of extremists filmed torching a car and violently attacking Palestinians and Israeli activists with clubs outside the village of Burin is particularly egregious, it is sadly not an isolated incident. This disturbing trend must not only be condemned in words but addressed through unequivocal action by the Israeli government and security apparatus.

We recognize that these acts are perpetrated by a small group of radicals. We also recognize that this is not a one-sided problem and that Israelis are also victims of ongoing and increasing attacks by Palestinians. But attacks by Israelis have been steadily increasing and intensifying over the past year, and as pro-Israel Jewish organizations, we are deeply concerned by these trends and request that you address them. These attacks serve as an affront to Israel's rule of law, to Israeli democracy, and to Jewish values, while undermining Israel's image and relations with the United States government, American people, and American Jewry. They make it more difficult to appreciate Israel's legitimate and ongoing security needs and efforts to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

We urge the entire Israeli government to unite in strong condemnation against these acts, to work decisively to hold those responsible accountable, and to confront the growing threats posed by these extremists with the determination and seriousness that this grave situation requires.

ADL
Central Conference of American Rabbis
Israel Policy Forum
National Council of Jewish Women
Rabbinical Assembly
Union for Reform Judaism
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism