West Bank settlers attack Israeli activists as Netanyahu claims 'hoax'
On Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attention surrounding settler violence was a “tremendous hoax.”
Israeli settlers attacked Jewish and Arab activists accompanying Palestinian farmers in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, injuring several, amid continued reports of settler violence that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has characterized as the work of a small group of “juvenile delinquents.”
What happened: The attack took place in Janta, south of Bethlehem, as Palestinian farmers prepared for the annual olive harvest. Israeli and international activists often accompany them to help deter attacks and facilitate access to their land, a practice that activists and humanitarian organizations call "protective presence."
Standing Together, a Jewish-Arab political movement whose leaders recently launched a political party, describes itself as a “Jewish-Arab movement for peace, equality and social justice in Israel.” The group said in a statement on X Thursday that its activists were attacked with “clubs, pepper spray and stones.” The group said it was working alongside activists from Rabbis for Human Rights and Bnei Abraham, two other Israeli groups involved in protective presence activities.
“We will continue standing with Palestinian communities confronting violent settler terror every day, violence enabled, backed and funded by the Israeli government and military,” the organization said in its statement.
