Left-Wing Activists Protest at Religious Zionism Party Headquarters Over Settler Violence Funding

On Wednesday morning, activists from the left-wing movement "Standing Together" protested outside the Religious Zionism party headquarters in Shoham, Israel. They wore red paint on their hands and clothes to symbolize blood, sitting at the entrance while chanting slogans such as "Smotrich funds, settlers burn, the blood is on the hands of the blood government." The protesters stated their demonstration was part of resistance against settler terrorism in the West Bank.

Ron Feiner, a movement activist, accused the Religious Zionism party of funneling millions to support settler outposts engaged in violence, including burning villages and displacing Palestinians. He specifically criticized Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich for allocating Israeli taxpayer money to these activities, warning that such terror threatens Israeli security and peace prospects.

The Religious Zionism party responded that extreme left-wing activists attempted to violently breach their offices while shouting "Arabs want to live." Party staff were reportedly trapped inside and instructed not to leave until police arrived. The previous day, "Standing Together" activists disrupted a Finance Committee meeting that approved billions of shekels in budget transfers during the Knesset recess, including significant funding for religious institutions and settlements.

During their removal from the meeting, Committee Chair Hanoch Milwitsky harshly rebuked one female activist, accusing her of hatred toward Jews and calling her worse than terrorists. "Standing Together" condemned Milwitsky and the government for enabling settler terrorism and dismissed his accusations as disgraceful and false.

The protests highlight ongoing tensions over government support for West Bank settlements and the violence associated with some settler groups, with left-wing activists demanding an end to funding and dismantling of outposts to achieve Israeli-Palestinian peace.