90-Year-Old Left-Wing Activist Hits Residents at Gush Etzion Farm and Flees

A serious incident occurred on Friday at Tomer Farm in the Gush Etzion area when a 90-year-old extreme left-wing activist confronted local residents. The activist initially clashed with a local teenager and then drove his vehicle, lightly injuring the youth. Later, a female resident approached the car to question the man's behavior, but he continued driving while she was holding onto the vehicle, dragging her several meters. The woman sustained minor injuries and was taken for medical treatment.

Police forces quickly arrived, arrested the suspect, and took him for questioning at the Etzion police station. His vehicle was confiscated, and the investigation into the circumstances is ongoing. The incident sparked strong reactions from regional leaders. Israel Gantz, head of the Benjamin Regional Council and chairman of the Yesha Council, condemned the attack as "an anarchist left-wing Jew attacking a Jewish woman," calling it an unacceptable crossing of a red line. He urged security forces to remove violent elements from the area to prevent future incidents.

Yaron Rosenthal, head of the Gush Etzion Regional Council, expressed shock but noted the ongoing challenges with anarchists harassing settlers. He called on security forces to use all available means to protect the pioneering residents of the farm. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich linked the attack to incitement campaigns by left-wing figures, specifically naming Yair Golan, and called on the president and political leaders to condemn the violence and retract statements threatening to evacuate the settlements after elections.