Israeli Settler Leader Condemns Violence Against Civilians

A former head of the Shomron Regional Council has issued a strong condemnation of violence perpetrated by Israelis against Palestinians, stating that such actions harm the settler movement and do not represent its values. The statement comes in response to an incident where over 100 Israelis reportedly blocked roads, threw stones at security forces, and set fire to Palestinian property in the village of Jalud. During the incident, three Border Police officers were lightly injured, and three Israelis were arrested.

The former council head, who led the Shomron Council during the Oslo War, emphasized that while the struggle for settlement is important, it must be conducted within moral boundaries. He argued that attacking individuals not involved in terrorism or damaging their property is unacceptable and provides ammunition to those seeking to harm the settlement enterprise. He called on settler leaders, rabbis, and public figures to vocally oppose such violence, rather than engaging in quiet condemnations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog also condemned the events in Jalud. Netanyahu called on law enforcement to prosecute those involved to the fullest extent of the law, while Herzog described the actions as a "moral stain." The article stresses that violence against uninvolved civilians is not representative of the settlement movement, Zionism, or Jewish law, and must be rejected with determination and responsibility to protect the future of the settlements.