Violence by Jewish extremists in the West Bank has accompanied the settlement movement for many years. The perpetrators are a marginal minority and do not reflect the spirit of the hundreds of thousands of settlers living in the area. Over the years, rabbis and community leaders have spoken out against such acts. But the current escalation clearly shows that condemnation alone is not enough to eradicate this shameful phenomenon.
It is possible to understand the frustration among residents over attempts to attribute the actions of a small group to the broader public. Such generalizations cause many to close ranks and place responsibility on security forces for failing to do enough to stop the violence.
Jewish extremists attacking a Palestinian family
The problem is that the violence does not remain confined to a few dozen individuals. By its nature, it spreads — and becomes more extreme and increasingly brutal.
It is not easy to criticize a values-driven community that carries a significant share of the security burden, both in regular service and in the reserves, especially during a time of war. But the current reality — in which acts of violence are carried out daily against innocent Palestinians — requires reflection and decisive action.
We should remind ourselves that the entire people of Israel were punished for the sin of a single individual. Even when the act is committed by one, its consequences can be far-reaching.
The education system must lead a broad effort across all institutions to sharpen a clear message: morality is a supreme value. Just as no reasonable person would justify violence in the name of religious observance, we must state clearly that there is no justification for violence under any circumstances.
We must repeat again and again that all people are created in the image of God — whether they live in Ramallah or in Beit El. Religious Zionism has long upheld the value of statehood. War against an enemy and terrorism must be carried out only by the state.
Political leadership must also examine itself. It must ask honestly whether there is alignment between its investment in settlement activity and its efforts to combat violence. When was the last time real pressure was applied on the government to address this issue?
Why has the leadership not demanded the reinstatement of administrative measures that were revoked for political reasons? Too often, the value of the land has been treated as overriding all else. When faced with a choice between preserving the coalition and fulfilling moral obligations, the wrong choice has been made.
There is still an opportunity to correct course. Many of these leaders were educated within the framework of religious Zionism, which places morality and humanity alongside national and religious values. There can be no situation in which commitment to the land justifies violence, certainly not against innocent people.
As Passover approaches, most of Israeli society will gather around the Seder table. The memory of being slaves in Egypt remains central to our identity, but it also carries a moral obligation: what was done to us must not be done to others.
“Do not oppress the stranger” is not a slogan — it is a binding command, even today. Many of our neighbors act with cruelty, but precisely for that reason we must not resemble them, even in the slightest.
A large gathering is expected Sunday under the slogan “Yes to the Land of Israel, no to violence.” One can only hope this marks the beginning of a broader awakening — and meaningful change.