Rabbi Beni Lau Supports Settlements But Condemns Unsanctioned Actions

Rabbi Dr. Beni Lau has expressed support for settlement outposts in Judea and Samaria, emphasizing the importance of pioneering settlement efforts. However, he strongly opposes activities by these outposts that are not coordinated with regional councils, the IDF, and state authorities. Lau warned against leadership operating without authorization and criticized the silence of other rabbis on the matter.

In an interview with Uzi Baruch for Channel 7, Rabbi Lau, known for his association with religious Zionism and settlement, differentiated between pioneering settlement that collaborates with authorities and actions that defy the army, regional councils, and settlement leadership. He described his recent visit to a farm in Gush Etzion as an "amazing experience," noting the deep commitment of residents to their Zionist ideals.

Lau identified two distinct approaches within the settlement movement: one, associated with the Amanah movement and Ze'ev Hever (Zambish), prioritizes cooperation with the state and IDF; the other, linked to the Nachala movement and its leadership, focuses on establishing facts on the ground with the expectation that the state will follow. He illustrated this by contrasting the Amanah approach of working "with the state" against the Nachala approach where "the state will come after us."

During his visit to the Gefen Ami farm in Gush Etzion, Lau spoke with the head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council and other settlement figures, who indicated the farm was not operating in coordination with them. He then met with Yair Ben-Baruch, identified as responsible for the outpost, and discussed allegations of harm to Palestinian residents near Beit Ummar, including car and greenhouse burnings, which Lau suspected were linked to a road opened from the farm. Ben-Baruch reportedly did not deny the incidents but rejected responsibility.

Lau stressed that his criticism is not of Jewish presence but of activities not subject to security and governance. He stated that IDF officials had conveyed a "disturbing picture" of difficulties in handling such incidents. He also criticized rabbis and public figures in the religious Zionist community for their silence, calling it "a disgrace" and labeling the unsanctioned actions as "anarchy."

He also addressed an incident involving Rabbi Dov Lior, claiming Lior was made to sign a letter that did not reflect his previous stance against theft, suggesting his situation was exploited. Lau concluded by emphasizing that the method of settlement is as crucial as the location, questioning how to proceed "with the army," at a pace suitable for the nation, and "together with all of Israel."