Ex-US Envoy Friedman Slams '60 Minutes' Report on Settlers as 'Embarrassing Joke'
Translated & summarized from Now 14 by baba
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel David Friedman criticized a "60 Minutes" report on "settler violence" in Judea and Samaria, calling it biased and an "embarrassing joke." Friedman asserted that Palestinian terrorism is the primary threat and that settlers have a right to defend themselves. The "60 Minutes" report, however, claimed over 1,600 incidents attributed to settlers this year and insufficient Israeli enforcement, while Friedman advocated for Israeli sovereignty as the solution to regional violence.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Former U.S. Ambassador David Friedman called a "60 Minutes" report on settler violence an "embarrassing joke."
- Friedman argued Palestinian terrorism is the main threat in Judea and Samaria, not settler violence.
- He accused Palestinians of manipulating media for biased, one-sided portrayals of conflict.
- The "60 Minutes" report cited over 1,600 incidents attributed to settlers this year.
- Friedman proposed Israeli sovereignty as the sole solution to end regional violence.
- The report linked events in Judea and Samaria to U.S. security aid discussions.
Former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, David Friedman, has sharply criticized a "60 Minutes" report on alleged "settler violence" in Judea and Samaria, calling it a "cringe-worthy joke" and accusing the program of biased reporting. Friedman argued that Palestinian terrorism poses a far greater threat in the region than any violence attributed to settlers. He asserted that Jews living in Judea and Samaria have a right to be there under biblical, domestic, and international law and are under constant assault from Palestinians, necessitating self-defense for their existence.
Friedman accused Palestinians of manipulating the media to portray conflicts in a one-sided manner, stating that "60 Minutes" had "knowingly taken the bait." While acknowledging that violence regrettably exists in Judea and Samaria, he contended that the report ignored the broader security reality and the threat of Palestinian terrorism. He believes the only solution to end the violence is the establishment of a "real sovereign" with Israel as the sole candidate, implying Israeli sovereignty over the area.
The "60 Minutes" report, presented by Leslie Stahl, focused on sheep farms in Judea and Samaria, suggesting they are used to seize land and displace Palestinians. The program claimed that over 1,600 incidents attributed to settlers have occurred this year, citing UN data, and that Israeli authorities are not acting sufficiently against the phenomenon. The report featured interviews with Jewish shepherds, left-wing activists, and a Palestinian family claiming their access to homes was denied. Mordechai Minster, a founder of one of the sheep farms, acknowledged that while some young people act violently and need to be restrained, this does not negate the Jewish people's right to the land.
The report also mentioned the stance of the current U.S. Ambassador to Israel, Mike Harkey, who has previously described violence against Palestinians as "terrorism." The "60 Minutes" segment aired shortly before elections in Israel and the U.S. midterm elections, linking events in Judea and Samaria to the U.S. debate on security aid to Israel.
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